Customer Reviews

Life: The Platinum Anniversary Collection: 70 Years of Extraordinary Photography

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For 70 years Life has been reknown for their fantastic photography. I own many of their original magazines and many of their "Coffee Table" books.
Quite frankly, for a 70 year span, I feel that this book should have been at least twice as thick as it is. I would have paid double to have more of their fantastic photos all in one book.
I know it is my opinion, but I cannot believe that they left out the picture of the baby grasping the doctors finger during an in utero surgery. To me, THAT is the most remarkable photo I've ever seen.
In closing; A good book that immediately needs a 2nd or even a 3rd volume.

Featuring an informative introduction by Robert Sullivan, "Life: 70 Years Of Extaordinary Photography - Platinum Anniversary Collection" showcases a comprehensive and representative series of photo essays and prized historical images, including a section presented every Life magazine cover published over seven decades. This 304-page, full-illustrated history is enhanced for contemporary readers with more than 300 amazing photographs and provides us with a kind of guided tour through seventy years of history ranging from domestic issues to foreign affairs. Here are our cultural and political leaders, along with ordinary men and women caught up in extraordinary events. Imaged features of personalities drawn from sports, movies, and everyday life, this extraordinary book is a true memorial celebration and tribute to one of America's most popular and influential magazines of its day. Simply stated, "Life: 70 Years Of Extaordinary Photography - Platinum Anniversary Collection" should be a part of the Photography and History collections of every academic and community library in the country.

Nearly every photograph in this book evoked a memory, whether good or bad. Some were disturbing, as they were meant to be, but many were uplifting. And it was neat to see how the cover art had changed over the years, and how Life's priorities have shifted.

I picked up this book and "The Great LIFE Photographers" off the shelf of an art bookstore last night. Great books, a lot of emotion, great photography. Although, I wouldn't recommend buying these two books together. A lot of the photos are repeated, so one should be enough.

When I was going through this book, I was slightly annoyed by how "American" it is. I'm sure the Americans did a lot of great things. But about half a dozen of photos of baseball games/players?

Between those two books, I recommend "The Great LIFE Photographers" as it is smaller, more compact, and puts less emphasis on the US.

Before television - an era that well over half the population never experienced - there was Life Magazine, which brought the world into people's homes. The magazine's editors hired the world's best photographers who in turn became some of the world's greatest photojournalists. Life also never said no to great photography from any source. Life was, indeed, a window into life for many millions.

Alas, society moved on and rising costs and television ultimately killed off Life, Saturday Evening Post, Look and many other wonderful magazines.

This book is actually a little bit disappointing in that it is only 304 pages, 251 of them being given to pictures from Life Magazine. The book could have - and, in my opinion, should have - been two, three or even four times the size. Life Magazine represented the epitome of photojournalism for much of its history and I think people would pay handsomely to have the "complete" Life photo collection. Perhaps someday, like the New Yorker did with its cartoons and articles, all of Life's photos will be available for browsing on DVD.

In the meantime, for any student of popular culture, 20th Century History, photojournalism or photography, this book is essential. It does contain a wonderful treasure of Life photography, which in turn gives a mirror into the world as it was.

Perhaps the best part of the book are the tiny reproductions of every Life cover. These provide a true summary of the fleeting nature of fame (many Life cover subjects are entirely forgotten today), the restless world with its wars, famines and other upheavals - and reaffirmation that nothing ever changes.

For the money, this is a wonderful value - a great browsing and viewing experience.

Jerry

Many of the photos in this collection are so striking and remarkable. What I find is that many of the portrait photos catch their subjects at their best, seem to reveal their essential 'selves' in the truest possible way.
The images in these photographs make the images I have in my mind, my memory- images of these subjects seem dull and faded.
A great treat.

I ordered six copies of this book and gave 5 copies to my children for Christmas and one copy for my husband and myself. Everyone loved the books and it brought back many memories for all of us, no matter what age. My grandchildren have also enjoyed looking at the book and have found it very interesting. The book is educational and entertaining. I would recomend the book to others.

This book is absolutly amazing, there are pictures that took me by surprise, they were cold, to the point, children dying, emaciated etc., Yes thru this there are also many beautiful, graceful pictures ... I was surprised how far back they went,
I really appreciated the descrfiptions of the pictures to be direct, to the point!!! I would highly, highly recommend this book if you want to see life as it was / is through pictures!!! You won't be able to put it down, I guarantee it!!!

B. Anne Snider

I am a photographer, so looking at the work of other photographers is enjoyable. Plus, this collection is like a history book and a reminder of important events in my lifetime. I'm sure to be looking through it again and again.

I purchased this a gift for a family member. I enjoyed looking at it as much as she did. Amazing photographs. So many events covered.