Customer Reviews

Inside Havana

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have had the opportunity to travel in Cuba on more than one occasion and am profoundly drawn to the people and the environment. Though I often times feel that photographic books do not adequately capture the essence of "real" places, I have found this book to be descriptive beyond words. The photographs tell a story of collapse and revival -- of time lost -- of hope -- of battle -- of corrosion -- of endurance.... Havana is alluring and repulsive in the same glance. Few photographers can capture such complexity in a single image. This book is amazing.

Although I have never been to Cuba and would never presume to know what it must be like to have lived through the revolution, i wanted to respond to Dr. Andrew's review of this book. It is clear to me that this gentleman has very stong feelings of sorrow and anger about what has become of Havana. As a person who had no agenda when i opened this book, i wanted to say that what strikes me most here is the beauty of this city. Much like the face of an older person who has lived through much joy and much suffering, there is a kind of beauty here which is born of experience and wisdom. Havana is what it is. It is the product of history, of conflict, of a vibrant culture and an indomitable energy. All of this is apparent to me when i look at these photos. In one sense, one could say that these images reveal a Havana "frozen in time," but we all know that in truth, nothing can be frozen in time, as much as we might wish it to be so. For better or for worse, life is change. I find in these photos a mesmerizing stillness. But it's the kind of stillness one sees in a perfectly balanced spinning top, a dynamic stillness. I find no moral or political judgement behind these pictures, but simply an ability to be present to what is here, and to reflect it's inherent beauty.

The gloriously detailed images in this expertly photographed book will linger on in your mind long after you view them. I find myself returning to most of the images, getting lost in the colors and nostalgic environments, longing to hear stories of days gone past. This book makes it to the very top of the pile of books on my coffee table. Highly recommend.

I moved to this country from Cuba at a very early age (2 years old) and therefore I have an above average fasination for anything Cuban. I purchased this book after seeing it reviewed in my local paper the Atlanta Journal. It is a beautiful, compelling book and I am thrilled that I purchased it. I may very well purchase more as gifts. I highly recommend this book.

This book captures Havana in all its complexity. Arresting images of beautiful and strange spaces allude to politics, history, idealism, economic hardship, and an uncertain future. In it, the baroque stages of Havana have themselves become actors whom we watch evolve, at one moment decadently obscene, at the next nostalgic, at the next dissolving almost before we turn the page. As a student of photography, I look to this book for inspiration and guidance. As a fan I look at this book for pure pleasure.

"Inside Havana" is a piece of art:I really loved to see pictures looking like paintings and living like the nature. Moore shows great curiosity and a positive approach to what he sees. I do really hope to see soon more pictures from other places in the world.

All the best from Italia

I'm purchasing this book after seeing it in a gift shop and can't wait to study it further. A photographer myself, I appreciate the work of talented photographers such as Andrew Moore. His choice of subjects and lighting make this book a joy to view. I have referred it to other photographers and I haven't even received my copy yet! Keep up the beautiful work!

Mr. Moore's book is the best photography book I've seen in years. I received the book for Christmas and initially dismissed it as just another group of pretty pictures. I took my first look at it about 2 weeks ago and have been coming back to it constantly since then. It's amazing!! The photographs are stunning. I've been finding more and more to look at as I lose myself in the images. There is a real sense of arrested time, poetic and sincere, which speaks as much or more about the nature of art as it does about Cuba.

This book is exceptional, with every turn of a page you escape into another time
and another story. Each element was photographed in perfect lighting.
This book sets the stage for an emotional and romantic journey through the
Cuban past and the beauty that remains today.

I was born and raised in Havana. After 13 years of living in the States, I recently purchased this book. The handling of lighting in the pictures is just masterful. Because of my familiarity with some of the places pictured and with the architectural styles depicted, I could almost feel as if I was part of the scene; I could smell the air and hear the voice-filled environment of some of the street scenes captured. This is the best photography book in my collection, despite a handful of pictures being on the weak side as far as the theme is concerned. The rest more than makes up for it. Highly recommended!!