One Hundred Young Americans [Paperback]

Michael Franzini (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Photographer and Emmy-winning director Franzini explores the lives of the "instant access generation" by profiling 100 teenage Americans in this dynamic, brilliantly colored volume. Consulting census data and conducting research to find the "top 50 niches in youth culture," Franzini selects a group of teenagers that effectively represents the diversity of American youth, encompassing "cheerleaders, jocks, student body presidents, prom queens, nerds, band geeks, gamers, skaters, stoners, goths, punks, druggies and kids who defy all labels." Each teen is photographed in the setting and pose of his or her choice, often to revealing effect, while the text provides information on subjects' lives, struggles and dreams: 18-year-old Kammie is an anime-loving college freshman who lost a cat to Hurricane Katrina; 15-year-old Josh from South Dakota describes the difficulties of being openly gay in high school; April Luv, the youngest prostitute at the World Famous Bunny Ranch, wants to start her own business someday; 16-year-old Joel "says his mother wants him to spend more time with girls and less time with robots." Other profiles reveal tales of foster home hopscotch and meth addiction as well as unimpeachable high school popularity and Beverly Hills designer living. Funny, heartbreaking, inspirational and illuminating, this countrywide cross-section provides one of most complete, accesible and stereotype-defying looks at American youth yet produced.
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About the Author

Michael Franzini is a photographer based in Los Angeles and New York City. Also a writer and Emmy-winning director, he has created countless on-air campaigns for MTV and other networks. His photographs appear in magazines and ad campaigns targeting Americans young and old. His current and past clients include Wal-Mart, T-Mobile, Panasonic, Pacific Sunwear, Google, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Girl Scouts of the USA, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Rock The Vote and the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Collins Design (October 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061192007
• ISBN-13: 978-0061192005
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome - every family should have one!, January 12, 2008

By 

Andre Heeger (Germany) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One Hundred Young Americans (Paperback)

Terrific, it's all there, the kids' hopes and dreams, their passions, fears, mistakes.
Michael Francini (and his team) did a terrific job in finding such a diverse group of 100 youths around the country.
The portraits are fabulous. Each one made to fit and doing justice to the person in the picture. All telling different stories. Great light, composure, good ideas and great people, all of them! This is what portrait photography is about.
We all can learn from each and everyone in the book. From who they are, what they want to be and what they have to say. Listen, try to understand and it will make you a better person.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mt 16 year old loved it!, January 1, 2008

By 

Charlene M. Roberts (Portland, ME) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One Hundred Young Americans (Paperback)

Gave this to my 16 year old son who is a "people" person. He hasn't put the book down. It shows every sterotyped teeneager in this book and we talk about the difference in them all. The importance to not judge someone by their looks is one of the greatest gifts you give to a child. Loved this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE PERFECT COFFEE TABLE BOOK, December 1, 2007

By 

J. M. Wilson (Manhattan Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One Hundred Young Americans (Paperback)

I love this book. It is so unique and interesting. I have it on my living room coffee table, and whenever I have friends over, they invariably pick it up and read a few pages. Each subject is different from the next. From fresh-faced to brothel-bound, these kids are our future. The photography is beautiful. The excerpts are short and to the point.

This book would make a great holiday gift. A ++++.