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Migrant Mother: How a Photograph Defined the Great Depression
by
Don Nardo
In the 1930s, photographer Dorothea Lange traveled the American West documenting the experiences of those devastated by the Great Depression. She wanted to use the power of the image to effect political change, but even she could hardly have expected the effect that a simple portrait of a worn-looking woman and her children would have on history. This image, taken at a mig...more
Paperback, 64 pages
Published
January 1st 2011
by Compass Point Books
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Just in time for the end of Women’s History Month, I have a book regarding a famous photograph that is actually about the history of two women. Migrant Mother: How a Photograph Defined the Great Depression by Don Nardo captures not only the life of Florence Owens Thompson, the subject of the iconic portrait, but also reveals the life of the photographer, Dorothea Lange, a woman with her own impact on history.
The story of the photograph is much more dramatic than you might think. Dorthea Lange wa...more
The story of the photograph is much more dramatic than you might think. Dorthea Lange wa...more
Migrant Mother: How a Photograph Defined the Great Depression is the second title I've read in the "Captured History" series (after Little Rock Girl 1957), and I really can't say enough about this series. It's amazing! The photographs, of course, are stellar, but the text is just as compelling. Migrant Mother focuses on the photographs of Dorthea Lange, the Farm Security Administration photographer who took the title photograph, an almost-missed opportunity that would later become one of the mos...more
It's a well known fact that if you want to pull on heartstrings, you focus on the single person, not the wide picture.
This book shows how doing the former can really change lives. The picture "Migrant Mother" has not only been one of the images that define the Great Depression, it also moved public opinion so that the government might send food to the pea collectors' camp where it was first taken. While the story of the woman in the picture may not have been the same as that of countless other p...more
This book shows how doing the former can really change lives. The picture "Migrant Mother" has not only been one of the images that define the Great Depression, it also moved public opinion so that the government might send food to the pea collectors' camp where it was first taken. While the story of the woman in the picture may not have been the same as that of countless other p...more
It is March 1936 and America is in the grips of The Great Depression. Dorothea Lange, a professional photographer for the Farm Security Administration, takes six photos in ten minutes that forever change the face of poverty in this country. As a result, her subject, Florence Owens Thompson, will forever be known as Migrant Mother.
This snapshot of history is an engaging way to interest the youth in one of America's most economically trying times. It includes a plethora of information in its sixty...more
This snapshot of history is an engaging way to interest the youth in one of America's most economically trying times. It includes a plethora of information in its sixty...more
I've always been curious about the Great Depression that took place in America primarily during the 1930's. This book examines the story behind the most famous photograph of the Great Depression.
I happily began this book this week.
I was somewhat disappointed. The book wavered between being a book targeting elementary readers and a book targeting junior high readers. I wish it had stuck to one or the other. And I wish there had been just a little more research into the life of this woman. Perha...more
I happily began this book this week.
I was somewhat disappointed. The book wavered between being a book targeting elementary readers and a book targeting junior high readers. I wish it had stuck to one or the other. And I wish there had been just a little more research into the life of this woman. Perha...more
I adore Dorothea Lange's photography. The way she was able to capture the Great Depression and the Japanese Interment Camps really touches the soul. And then to see a book dedicated to one of her most iconic photographs was great! This book put the image into context and explained how it helped bring a face to the Great Depression then and now helps bring history to life. The author gave background not only on Lange but also on the family in the photograph, who for years remained unknown. A good...more
WHAT I LIKED:
The focus of this book is on the photograph, not the photographer or the subject of "Migrant Mother." But telling the story of the photograph involves telling the story of both Lange and Thompson. It was an interesting perspective that I didn't get in the other book I read.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
I feel like this book could have gone more in depth on certain things - Lange's disability, as an example. While this book obviously could not go into detail about everything, I felt in skimmed...more
The focus of this book is on the photograph, not the photographer or the subject of "Migrant Mother." But telling the story of the photograph involves telling the story of both Lange and Thompson. It was an interesting perspective that I didn't get in the other book I read.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
I feel like this book could have gone more in depth on certain things - Lange's disability, as an example. While this book obviously could not go into detail about everything, I felt in skimmed...more
Review copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.
What I love most about history is the people and the study of the everyday. What better way to connect with someone (sometimes) long past than an image, be it a tapestry, a painting or a photograph.
Migrant Mother tells the story of - and reveals the human faces - behind one iconic photograph, taken at a time when America (and the entire world) was dealing with a period of turmoil subsequently known as the Great Depression. While the focus of th...more
What I love most about history is the people and the study of the everyday. What better way to connect with someone (sometimes) long past than an image, be it a tapestry, a painting or a photograph.
Migrant Mother tells the story of - and reveals the human faces - behind one iconic photograph, taken at a time when America (and the entire world) was dealing with a period of turmoil subsequently known as the Great Depression. While the focus of th...more
The Migrant Mother is the photograph that has come to represent the poverty of the Great Depression and American poverty in general. Dorothea Lange's work changed the way America looked at those in need. This short, but extremely well done, book explains the era of the Great Depression, the life and work of Lange, and the life of the woman and her family whose face came to represent an entire group of people. The other photographs in the book are a tribute to Lange and her work. A stunning work...more
What a great book! Like most everyone, I had seen the photograph on the cover of the book numerous times but I didn't know the story behind the photograph, the photographer or the mother and children in the photo. Thanks to Amy Roberds for having this book on GoodReads list or I might have missed this treasure.
Nov 29, 2011
Edward Sullivan
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-nonfiction,
middle-school
Telling the story behind an iconic photograph and discussing its historical importance is a cool idea, and this book is successfully concise and informative doing that. The suggestions for further reading and list of suggested web sites are disappointingly skimpy.
Kids informative book. very understandable breakdown of the depression and how this picture represents that era. would be good resource for teachers.
From BBC Radio 3:
A lyrical drama inspired by the events which led to Dorothea Lange's iconic photograph of Florence Owens Thompson.
A lyrical drama inspired by the events which led to Dorothea Lange's iconic photograph of Florence Owens Thompson.
OMG! This book moved me to tears. Powerful imagery and a strong reminder of the Depression.
Apr 22, 2012
Ange (MarmaladeLibby of Libby Blog) Schmelzer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Beautiful images I've never seen before and fascinating information about the photographer. I had no idea that this was done as a full collection of images that were taken that day. I learned so much about both the photographer and the woman who was photographed that day that became "THE" iconic representation of The Great Depression in America. A must-read! It's a quick read too which is always nice. This was a title that came to our middle school LMC as part of our Junior Library Guild subscri...more
May 12, 2013
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Mar 22, 2012 04:09pm