Nonfiction Monday: America Through the Lens

Sandler, Martin W. America Through the Lens: Photographers Who Changed the Nation

AMERICA THROUGH THE LENS is an extensive look at America spanning two centuries, spanning many ethnicities (white, Native American, African American), spanning economic and social classes (rich and poor) and spanning the Continent (urban, industrial, rural, nature). Featuring the photographs and mini-biographies of twelve photographers, AMERICA THROUGH THE LENS is an excellent introduction to photography and provides a new perspective of American history. It features six male photographers, five female photographers, and a look at corporate photography with its examination of NASA and NOAA photography. If AMERICA THROUGH THE LENS has a premise, it would be that a good photograph can wield great power and has the ability-with proper placement-to change public opinion and actually change the way the nation sees itself and the way the nation ACTS. For example, the photographs of William Henry Jackson prompted the government to begin its creation of NATIONAL PARKS protecting both the land and the wildlife. The photographs of Lewis Hine prompted the government to change its child labor laws. His work with a camera was able to change how children were treated and protected in the future. The examples are many, but Sandler shows how each photographer changed the nation in his/her own unique way.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews