Turning Heads: Portraits of Grace, Inspiration, and Possibilities [Paperback]

Jackson Hunsicker (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0977007405 | ISBN-13: 978-0977007400 | Publication Date: May 28, 2006 | Edition: 1

Hats and head scarves are nowhere to be seen in these portraits of women who have lost their hair during treatment for cancer. Each picture, taken by a well-known photographer, captures bald women too intent on work or play to be bashful about their looks among others, Melissa Etheridge belts out a Janis Joplin tune at the 2005 Grammys, a rodeo cowgirl poses with the cowboys, a surfer climbs a wave in Hawaii, and a nun scrutinizes her poker hand. A foreword and afterword by the author describe the genesis of the book, her own experience with cancer and hair loss, and the brave women who posed for pictures. Photo credits and profiles are provided for the photographers, who include Eddie Adams, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Reuben Cox, Rob Gauthier, Lauren Greenfield, David Hume Kennerly, Antonin Kratchovil, Harry Langdon, Gerd Ludwig, Jay Maisel, Catherine Opie, Harvey Stein, Nick Vedros, and Annie Wells.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The spark for this collection of gorgeous and inspiring photographs of women who've become bald from chemotherapy was film and television writer Hunsicker's initial reaction to her own cancer diagnosis: the fear of becoming bald trumped her fears of mere death. The resulting book is powerful medicine, and not just for women undergoing cancer treatment. Shot by 59 leading photographers, such as Duane Michals, the book features women of all shapes, sizes, colors and nationalities, and they illustrate an important point: their subjects' distinctive talents, interests, identities and personalities. In these bold and imaginative photos, a Florida Supreme Court Justice presides over a court session, a designer lounges astride an elephant in fuchsia formal wear, a doctor's face grins from the center of a rising moon. Short statements accompanying the photographs are equally eloquent. Model/writer Sharon Fryda Blynn describes overhearing three young men making fun of her during a commuter train ride. As they exit, one of them says, "God forgive me if this woman has cancer." She tells him and witnesses his shame. "I was thinking," she writes, "just for that brief second, I pushed a button... so that... the next time they see a bald woman, they might... smile and say, 'You look beautiful today,' and make her feel better." (May)
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Review

"This is an amazing book. I've bought three of them to give out as presents."   Robin Roberts, anchor, Good Morning America, ABC-TV

"To show bald can be beautiful, cancer survivor Jackson Hunsicker assembled photos and thoughts of women who lost their hair to chemo."  People

--From Independent Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Press On Regardless; 1 edition (May 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977007405
• ISBN-13: 978-0977007400
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #561,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Women, June 6, 2006

By 

Angela Yates (Mississippi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turning Heads: Portraits of Grace, Inspiration, and Possibilities (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a gift for my mother who lost her hair during her cancer treatment. I found the photographs and stories to be beautiful and inspiring. Each photo is unique to the woman and the photographer. The stories are as varied as the women themselves. Women of all ages and backgrounds are included to show just how indiscriminate cancer can be and how strong and determine women are. I would recommend this book for any woman going through the ups and downs of cancer treatment to remind her just how beautiful bald can be.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, November 5, 2006

By 

Gary L. Fryer "Jeannie" (Warrenton, VA. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turning Heads: Portraits of Grace, Inspiration, and Possibilities (Paperback)

I am a Ovarian Cancer Survivor & loved this book. It shows us that even though we have lost our hair we still have beauty. The stories were wonderful. NOCC donated these books to infusion labs. I know that men & women saw this book & it helped them know they were not alone. I recommend this book to everyone.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Medicine, June 20, 2006

By 

L. Wood (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turning Heads: Portraits of Grace, Inspiration, and Possibilities (Paperback)

I received this book as a gift and what a wonderful and thoughtful gift it has been! While enduring chemotherapy, I, as many people do, lost my hair. I chose not to wear a wig,scarf or hat. And to see that there are other women who are not afraid to wear their beautiful baldness with pride and determination made me want to read and look some more. Each photo tells a different story and really shows that cancer does not discriminate.

Every cancer center, radiation center, physician's office should have a copy on display. It truly is inspirational.