Life: The Classic Collection [Hardcover]

Editors of Life (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 2008

"Life" has, of course, visited its archives before - but never like this. This edition puts the photographs on display, not only as part of the page layout but as the page itself. The explanatory text will be out of the way, so that each image can be savoured. Moreover, prints will be included that are not just suitable for framing, but meant for framing. And not only will there be photographic prints; there will also be 75 other famous pictures that appeared in "Life"'s pages, the story behind each of them and the narrative history of what "Life"'s photography has long meant to the country and, indeed, to the world.This is a unique, ground-breaking book. It is the ultimate treatment of our photography to date in book form. As such it is ultra-commemorative and collectible. "The Classic Collection", presented in this classic way, will be a definitive "Life" Book-and a category leader.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This sleek anthology of iconic images is a nostalgic delight for photography and history buffs. By leaving the book virtually free of text, the editors allow the images to speak for themselves. Classic moments are beautifully reproduced: Margaret Bourke-White's portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Apollo 11 launch, the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics, various Kennedy campaign trails, Princess Diana's wedding—as well as whimsical snapshots of Americana and stunning photographs of painters Pollock, Dalí and Picasso. Removable prints allow readers to enjoy even better the collection's vivid, high-quality pictures. (Oct.)
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Life (October 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603200304
• ISBN-13: 978-1603200301
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 1.5 x 13.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Photos, October 8, 2008

By 

E. Perry (Rumford, RI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Life: The Classic Collection (Hardcover)

I love this book! The photographs are stunning as one can expect from Life Magazine photographers. Some of the photos are famous, some less well-known. The book is large and the pictures are BIG, too, filling up the entire page. I especially liked this feature. Often, books have several smaller photos on one page, in this book the pictures are a very good size. Included in this collection (which is VERY reasonably priced) are 25 full-sized prints ready for framing. The prints cover a variety of subjects making it almost certain that everyone will find one or more prints that they would like to frame and put up in their homes. I'd definitely recommend this book. It's a great book at a great price.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revisiting Those Great Photos from Life Magazine, October 28, 2008

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Life: The Classic Collection (Hardcover)

In the later 1950s and early 1960s, I remember my family subscribing to a number of magazines--TV Guide, Newsweek, McCall's, Ladies' Home Journal, Popular Science, some farm journal (we lived on and worked on a farm), and Newsweek, Look--and Life. The latter two were always eagerly awaited, because of the photography coupled with the stories.

This book, Life: The Classic Collection captures the spirit of those photographically oriented publications. The book begins by quoting its founder, Henry Luce, speaking of his vision (Page 4): "To see and to be shown is now the will and new expectancy of half mankind. To see and to show is the mission now. . . ." The inaugural issue debuted in 1936.

This volume has some interesting features. Some of the classic photos can be removed to be framed and displayed (and a second copy remains within the volume itself); there is little text, although the photos are identified.

Those of us who grew up back in the 1950s (and before) will instantly remember many of these photos. I vaguely recall having seen--and appreciated--the photo of Jack and Bobby Kennedy facing one another in the shadows; the NFL Championship game in 1966; the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics; the seven original astronauts in 19659. . .

Others are classics that I remember after they were published--Harry Truman displaying the headline that says "Dewey Defeats Truman" (I was born in 1947, so--obviously--I have no memory of this!); Margaret Bourke-White taking a photo from atop the Chrysler Building; The D-Day at Omaha Beach photo. . . .

So, for those who lived with Life magazine, this is a nice way of recalling memories. For those not familiar with this classic magazine, this represents a terrific introduction to the art of the photograph.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the best, December 21, 2008

By 

David R. Jennings "summer lover" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Life: The Classic Collection (Hardcover)

I purchased this book for my father's 89th birthday. We all looked through the book, and everyone could remember seeing different pictures over the years. For anyone who grew up with Life magazine this is nostalgia at it's best. There are lots of memories in this book, both happy and the sobering.