In Our Own Image: Treasured African-American Traditions, Journeys & Icons [Hardcover]

Patrik Henry Bass (Author), Karen Pugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2001

The first visual document of black social and cultural history in America from World War II to the present, In Our Own Image is also a fascinating scrapbook that recounts simple, eloquent stories about home life, family reunions, worship, weddings, funerals, barbeques, barbershops, beauty parlors, nightclubs, civic organizations, and celebrations. The unique recollections of African-Americans from a variety of backgrounds and age groups accompany more than 160 images from personal and archival collections, with such poignant ephemera as programs from cotillions and fashion shows, restaurant menus, movie posters, even ticket stubs. The authors have woven material from university and museum collections in Detroit, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Atlanta into a narrative photo book that forms a warm, loving record of African-American community, traditions, and family life in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A wealth of photographs--some by well-known photographers, others candid shots by amateurs--along with ticket stubs, flyers, programs, political buttons, and other memorabilia provide a remarkable scrapbook of the lives and achievements of African Americans during the last half of the twentieth century. This book is a powerful testament to individual and collective endurance despite the neglect and defilement that black cultural images often suffer in the broader American culture. Here are images of girls in Easter finery, wedding photos, cotillions, birth announcements, and pages from old issues of Ebony magazine. They show the shifts in black culture from the rural South to the urban North and record changes in politics and the impact of the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. The book is divided into three sections: "Family" shows occasions of everyday life, aspirations, and simple pleasures; "Community" reflects gathering places, including churches, barbershops, beauty parlors, and nightspots; and "Heroes and Headliners" chronicles the lives of the famous and influential in photos by James VanDer Zee, P. H. Polk, and others. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...In Our Own Image tells our story through vibrant photography and compelling tales." -- Savoy (October 2001 issue)

"...a beautifully arranged compilation of snapshots of what we know, love and appreciate about being black in America." -- Black Enterprise (October 2001 issue)

...a sneak peek into the scrapbook of not just an individual, but an entire society. -- News & Record, Greensboro NC, Dec. 2, 2001

...a stunning edition that can grace your mother's coffee table just as easily as your younger brother's... -- Venus Magazine, Dec. 2001

...contains historical information that [hasn't] been widely reported but is urgently needed for our collective esteem and cultural memory. -- Blackvoices.com

...extraordinary visual document of black life as seen through the lenses of well-known photographers and the eyes of African-Americans. -- Philadelphia New Observer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (November 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762410752
• ISBN-13: 978-0762410750
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,680,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Celebration of African American Life, October 23, 2001

By 

Angela E. Rochester (Freeport, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Our Own Image: Treasured African-American Traditions, Journeys & Icons (Hardcover)

This is an inspiring and beautiful collection of stunning photographs of the celebration of African American families, communities and their dignity and determination to prevail over historic changes. Award winning writer Patrik Henry Bass and photographer Karen Pugh share fantastic images of African American life, both past and present. A must see.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful!!!, December 12, 2001

By 

P. W. WILLIAMS (League City, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Our Own Image: Treasured African-American Traditions, Journeys & Icons (Hardcover)

"Our Own Image: Treasured African American Traditions, Journeys and Icons" is a beautiful coffee table book that is sure to bring back memories of a time gone by. This book has now become one of my most cherished items and I have it proudly displayed on my living room coffee table. It makes a perfect gift for any book lover.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In our own Image, December 9, 2001

By 

Valerie S.Bennett (Plymouth, Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Our Own Image: Treasured African-American Traditions, Journeys & Icons (Hardcover)

This book is a must have for every African American Family. It recalls the very positive experiences and rituals that shape the landscape of our history. There is something in this book for everyone. The pictures and the stories will warm you heart and make you proud to be African American! It is a artistic and literary masterpiece. The photos are from the early 1800's to present day. The artist Karen Pugh has done paintings for this book that are the likes of nothing that I have every seen! Keep your eye out for this very talented women. You must have this book! Buy and few copies and share this very rich history with someone you love!