Think of England [Paperback]

Martin Parr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004

Magnum photographer Martin Parr's vision of contemporary England in 100 colour photographs. England has been the key subject of Magnum photographer Martin Parr's work since he started making pictures. Think of England is a comic, opinionated, affectionately satirical, colour-saturated essay about the character of England. It is composed of new work shot in 1999 along with work shot recently for projects on West Bay, British food, and flowers. Quintessentially English himself, Parr's great achievement as a photographer is his ability to transform the obvious into the surprising, reinventing cliches of Englishness as provocative revelations. His tour of obvious England takes in seaside resorts, herbaceous borders, the bring and buy stall, cucumber sandwiches and cups of tea, Ascot and the charity shop, blotchy skin, baked beans and bad footwear...Martin's work has already added to the visual vocabulary of England; this book, his first specifically on the subject of England, stretches it further. Simultaneously affectionate and brutally direct, all the photographs are shot with a ring flash camera (normally used for medical photographs), which has been his medium of choice for the la

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martin Parr is arguably Britain's key contemporary photographer, with a unique point of view and unmistakable signature, with a critical and popular following in the worlds of art, fashion and journalism. He has been widely published and exhibited internationally (he is very well known across Europe and about to become a major figure in the USA). Books of his photographs include Bad Weather, The Cost of Living (1991), Small World (1995) and The Last Resort - Photographs of New Brighton (1997). His first Boring Postcards book for Phaidon (1999) was a massive success, both in England and around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714844543
• ISBN-13: 978-0714844541
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,322,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a tongue-in-cheek look at the British, May 31, 2006

By 

authorwannabe (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Think of England (Paperback)

Martin Parr is one of the great documentary photographers of Britain and this book is a prime example of his talent in the field. This book is a wonderful collection of the quirks and eccentricities of the British. No subject is overlooked as Parr covers food, dress, interior design and gardens, pomp and circumstance and Brits at the seaside. It's a view of England not seen by most tourists which makes it all the more relevant for foreign audiences. Browsing through the book one can see several cultural similarities like the picture of a winning dessert at a district garden society show, or people talking on their mobile phones.

If you're a bit of an anglophile or simply enjoy good photography, this book won't disappoint. I bought this book at the Tate Modern after having seen several of the photos in various galleries, and find it inspiring to aspiring photographers like myself.

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was expecting., January 3, 2012

By 

seeking - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Think of England (Paperback)

I guess I was expecting a book that my grandmother, who is from England, would enjoy. There are a few too many hairy bellies, feet and balding head close-ups for me. I guess I expected a bit more nostalgia and a bit less of the tacky. I'll be returning this book.