Life along the Illinois River (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Photographer, Introduction), Patrick F. Quinn (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Life along the Illinois River artfully captures river life with an eye informed as much by the hallmarks of American painting as by the tenets of documentary photojournalism. This collection epically depicts the coalescence of life and landscape in the Illinois River valley, vividly creating a contemporary portrait of Mid-Americana." Bill Conger, artist and curator of University Galleries at Illinois State University "David Zalaznik's photographs are nuanced, layered in tone as well as pictorial content. There is a richness to them, in the stories they tell and in their sensuous beauty. He has a clear eye, a sound vision, and a love for the river that is a source of life for the central Illinois valley." Channy Lyons, author of Peoria Women Artists through 1970

Product Description

The Illinois River flows through the heart of Illinois, beginning in the northeast of the state at the confluence of the Kankakee River and the Des Plaines River in Will County and extending 270 miles to the southwest, where it joins the Mississippi River at Grafton in Jersey County. A major colonial trade route and home to a diverse range of wildlife, the Illinois River still serves a vital role in shipping and fishing. Many people depend on this river for their livelihoods, and many more are drawn to its waters as an escape for recreation, sport, and reflection.

This collection of photographs offers intimate insight into the Illinois River, spanning its entire length and illustrating the river throughout all seasons. Evoking moods that are by turns meditative, practical, and quirkily playful, the ninety photographs in this volume compose a portrait of the Illinois River with a face that is transformed throughout every hour of the day. Photojournalist David Zalaznik captures the spirit of people at work and at play on the river, as well as the quiet beauty of the flora and fauna that make the river a natural retreat. Guiding the reader through the unique communities built along the river’s shores--from Ottawa and Morris to Peoria and Chillicothe, from Lacon and Bath to Kampsville and Grafton, as well as many others--the photographs convey the sense of spontaneity, discovery, and celebration felt by people who live near or visit this great gift of nature.

Life along the Illinois River is a gracious portrait of a river that unites humanity and nature, and it offers a new vision of the Illinois River’s vitality and its role in our lives. The book also includes a short introduction by the photographer and a foreword by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; 1st edition (October 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252033930
• ISBN-13: 978-0252033933
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #872,622 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beauty of the Illinois River, November 13, 2008

By	T. A Brink "Treehugger" (Peoria, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

David Zalaznik, a photgrapher for the Peoria Journal Star, has created a book of photographs of life on and around the Illinois River. The photgraphs are artfully done and are printed on high quality paper. The book is oversize. Most photographs come with a short commentary from David Zalaznik. Besides the Illinois River, bald eagles, blue herons, and Asian carp are heavily featured in this book. Many of his photographs are quite amazing. The photograph of the great blue heron standing motionless searching for fish in thewaters below the Marseilles Lock and Dam is so outstanding that it deserves to be in a museum. I enjoyed all of the photgraphs and found his photographs of the bald eagles outstanding.

Pat Quinn wrote the forward to the book. Pat Quinn is the Lt. Governor of Illinois and is very involved in conservation of the Illinois River. He gives a short and interesting history of the Illinois River.

I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy nature photograohy and/or are interested in the Illinois River.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, May 22, 2009

By	Lindsey Heitz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a beautiful portrayal of the Illinois River. How lucky I am to live near it!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful representation of it's title, December 9, 2008

By	D (Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

Simply beautiful. Makes a great gift for anyone who lives or lived along the Illinois River.