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Maya Angelou

Mary Ellen Mark: An American Odyssey 1963-1999 Hardcover – June 15, 2005

by Maya Angelou (Author), Mary Ellen Mark (Photographer)

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"Mark works in a classic documentary mode: her work imprints itself on viewers in the way that only great photography can." --Harpers Bazaar

Recently voted by the readers of American Photography as their favorite woman photographer of all time, Mary Ellen Mark has made some of America's most iconic photographs. She is unsurpassed at shaping both the odd and the everyday into genuinely surprising photographs that subtly yet powerfully challenge our preconceptions or intensify our convictions. Mary Ellen Mark's poetic and at times disquieting photographs form a fascinating portrait of a complex, amusing, and occasionally unsettling country and its people.

Print length

152 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Aperture
Publication date

June 15, 2005
Dimensions

10.43 x 12.2 inches
ISBN-10

9780893818807
ISBN-13

978-0893818807
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

With a candid intimacy uniquely her own, acclaimed photographer Mark partners with her subjects to make compassionate and complex portraits. By photographing her subjects in their environments, she creates powerful contextual images that make larger comments on the state of affairs in U.S. society. The images span the United States, ranging from Aryan Nations members in Idaho to rodeo workers in Texas, ballroom dancers in Florida, and shelter residents in New York. Also notable are the serial portraits done over years, as with those of Tiny from Seattle (1983-99) and the Damm family (1987-94). This quality collection is an exciting confirmation of Mark's contribution to contemporary photography and will serve both those familiar with her work, as well as newcomers. Mark's 12th book, this first broad survey of her American photographs from the beginnings of her career in 1963 to the present accompanies a major traveling retrospective organized by Aperture opening next month at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Highly recommended for large public and academic libraries, this is also an affordable overview of her work for small public libraries.
-Debora Miller, Minneapolis
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Mark works in a classic documentary mode: her work imprints itself on viewers in the way that only great photography can."--Harpers Bazaar

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0893818801
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aperture; First edition (June 15, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 152 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780893818807
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0893818807
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.43 x 12.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,936,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,349 in Photography Collections & Exhibitions (Books)
- #1,752 in Photo Essays (Books)
- #3,651 in Artist & Architect Biographies

Customer Reviews:
17 ratings

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Maya Angelou

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Maya Angelou has been waitress, singer, actress, dancer, activist, filmmaker, writer and mother. As well as her autobiography she has written several volumes of poetry, including 'On the Pulse of the Morning' for the inauguration of President Clinton. She now has a life-time appointment as Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5

17 global ratings

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CountVonCount

Incredible work by a true master

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 17, 2017

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The power and humanity of Mary Ellen Mark's photos shine through in this wonderful book. Her ability to capture deep insights on the human spirit through her photographs is stunning. The photographs of the Damm family and of Tiny, her longtime subjects, are particularly moving. One of the best photography books I own.

One person found this helpful

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Cliente Amazon

An American Odyssey 1963-1999 (Aperture Monograph)

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 6, 2019

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Mary Ellen Mark: An American Odyssey 1963-1999 (Aperture Monograph). Great conditions, really wonderful book! Fast time to delivery. Thank you!

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Filipe N. Marques

A great career spanning collection of works.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 12, 2013

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Most books I have purchased in the past have usually been a disappointment. A collection of less impressive work. Not this one. Mary Ellen Mark doesn't publish mediocre work. I've had the book 24 hours and I've looked at it 4 times! Very inspiring stuff if you enjoy photo journalistic photography. I recommend it highly!

3 people found this helpful

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gary gruber

Magnificent

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 25, 2019

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One of the best photographers of my generation

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 18, 2018

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A dark slice of Americana. Love this book.

One person found this helpful

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Philip Greenspun

fat acceptance

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 4, 2001

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One image is worth the price: four women, floating in a swimming pool, arms and legs linked, at the national Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, Big and Beautiful New Year's Eve Party, Long Island, New York, 1996.
(Great book for Hasselblad nerds; it will give you a lot of ideas for how to fill a square frame creatively.)

9 people found this helpful

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Respecting the Humanity of All

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 28, 2001

Summary: These black-and-white images are produced on wonderful paper and with great quality. They explore the underlying human qualities we all share. The work is introduced by a Maya Angelou poem, and is concluded by an excellent essay in which Ms. Mark explains her work. Her subjects are mostly people of the economic and social underclasses as they pursue their hopes and dreams, while dealing with their day-to-day problems. Viewing these photographs will draw you closer to people who, on the surface, are quite different from you. The models are often captured over time and in alternative settings to help explain their lives and personalities.
Content Caution: The images in this book contain a few involving minor female nudity that would earn its contents an R rating if it were a motion picture.
Review:
"I note the obvious differences
in the human family."
" . . . but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike." -- Maya Angelou
The theme of this poem nicely captures the focus of this book of loving photographic images. As Ms. Mark says, "I much prefer to photograph people I care about." She wants to "build a rapport with my subjects." In studying them, "I am guided by what moves and surprises me." That final element will affect you as well. Too often, we mentally pass by those around us. Ms. Mark's images make us want to reach out with our hearts and minds.
The book shows people from all parts of America over the period from 1963 through 1999. The photographs portray all kinds of races, creeds, colors, and political and sexual persuasions. Ideas that you may not like are portrayed involving people you will probably find appealing. That juxtaposition of people and issues will cause you to rethink how you relate to others. It will probably make you more modest and humble, and that's good. Special themes involve the mentally ill, twins, homelessness, beauty contests, political rallies, and families over time.
My favorite images in the book are as follows:
Santa Claus at Lunch, New York City, 1963;
Marky Mark concert, Jersey City, New Jersey, 1993;
Hot Tub, West Orange, New Jersey, 1999;
Bodybuilder, Daytona Beach, Florida, 1991;
Russell, Kansas, 1986;
Mary Frances in the tub, Ward 81, Salem, Oregon, 1976;
Jail, Houston, Texas, 1977;
Husband and wife, Harland County, Kentucky, 1971;
Jesse Damm, Llano, California, 1994;
Hurstie Laxton after the flood, St. Louis, Missouri, 1993;
Million Youth March, New York City, 1998;
Lakiesha, South Dallas, Texas, 1988;
Clinton Albright and his father, Santa Clarita, California, 1982;
Nightclub off of Highway 61, Michigan, 1991;
Vashira and Tashira Hargrove, twins, H.E.L.P. Shelter, Suffolk, New York, 1993; and
Tiny, pregnant, Seattle, Washington, 1985.
After you see these photographs, you will probably agree with Ms. Mark that she has been on "a long and blessed journey" that has opened her heart and ours.
Seeing these photographs should encourage you to become acquainted with people you see who you would normally not think to speak to. Try living that way for a day. If you enjoy the experience, keep on going -- taking it . . . one day at a time.
Find the common ground . . . wherever you go!

9 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Zipper

A used copy in very good condition.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

This ex-library copy arrived in very good condition (still wearing the library's clear plastic protective jacket!). I'm a big fan of Mary Ellen Mark. My collection of her books is growing. This is the sixth. I think it's wonderful, present photos she made between 1963 and 1999. All of the images are black and white. The reproduction is very good and the book is well laid out. I'm delighted with this purchase.

Jake Borchenko

Great book!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on September 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great printing and a wonderful collection of her images

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Mary Ellen Mark: An American Odyssey 1963-1999 Hardcover – June 15, 2005

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