Customer Reviews

Witness to an Era: The Life and Photographs of Alexander Gardner

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Seldom does one get such a close-up glimpse at the true horrors and tragedies on the battlefields of the American Civil War, or to stare into the faces of those whose lives were entertwined with the making of America's history. But D. Mark Katz gives us that opportunity with Witness To An Era: The Life and Photographs of Alexander Gardner, published by Rutledge Hill Press. Though many of the images that have become instantly recognizable to students of history are often credited to the well known photographer, Matthew Brady, Witness To An Era sets the record straight with meticulously documented research, enabling future generations to appreciate Gardner's work. For the first time in print, Katz brings the reader not only the vast collection of Gardner's photographs, many of which he was able to reproduce directly from the original prints, but the intriguing story of Gardner himself and his eventful career during and after the Civil War.

As one of the most photographed of historical figures as President Abraham Lincoln was, none managed to capture the inner man as Gardner did. But with over 277 pages containing photos of people, places, illustrations and letters, it is difficult for one to say which is the most extraordinary in capturing a moment --a moment frozen in time for eternity, for those to gaze upon and ponder its significance in how we became to be today... from what was yesterday.

Booklist remarks, "This album of Gardner's work is nothing less than sensational," and Civil War Web agrees. No Civil War library would be complete without these magnificent photographs of America's most epic saga.

Because Matthew Brady was so famous following the Civil War I suspect many are today unfamiliar with the photographs of Alexander Gardner. I first became acquainted with Mr. Gardner's work from his famous last photograph of Abraham Lincoln taken just four days before the president was assassinated. You know the one: an aging Lincoln with a faint smile and a crack across the plate.
But there is so much more to Gardner's work. He was fairly ubiquitous during this era, hence the title. Some of the most famous photographs in history were taken by him. He photographed Lincoln more than anyone else. But the images of post battle dead that have been seared into our imaginations in history books were frequently his, too.
This book, well written by the way, puts these images all together with a detailed biography of Gardner and the processes he developed (no pun intended) and the stories behind the famous pictures.
An excellent book for anyone interested in history or photography.

Among the many works on the Civil War, this is among the best. You just can't beat a photo journal history for your collection, particularly for elementary/middle school kids in need of references to impress the teacher. Combined with my collections of Matthew Brady, I feature this on my bookshelf.

Disclosure: I am a reseller of books and just happened to buy this at a bookstore. I don't like to review anything I intend on selling because of construed conflicts (although I am seriously considering keeping this for my own library). There are many civil war books with your usual stock photos. I've seen dozens. This book is unique in that most of the photographs you will never see anywhere else. The details and gruesomeness of war is so well depicted you can only be mesmerized. This is one of a kind and might just be the highlight of any book collection on the civil war.