100 Photographs That Changed the World

by LIFE, Gordon Parks

From the Editors of Life Magazine.

The power of pictures is celebrated in this portfolio of the most forceful still images of all time. Robert Capa's dispatches from the beach at Normandy and Joe Rosenthal's photographic report of Iwo Jima stirred a nation, as did-in quite an opposite way-Eddie Adams' and Larry Burrows' searing imagery from Vietnam. LIFE thinks outside the box in this book: Did Marilyn Monroe's pinup change the world? Did Harry Benson's photography of the Beatles deplaning in New York in 1964 alter our cultural focus? The pictures in this book are sometimes beautiful, often striking-and undeniably powerful.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, History, Art, Historical, Coffee Table Books, Picture Books

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Life was an American magazine published weekly from 1883 to 1972, as an intermittent "special" until 1978, and as a monthly from 1978 until 2000. During its golden age from 1936 to 1972, Life was a wide-ranging weekly general interest magazine known for the quality of its photography.

Reviews

[Gayle 📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading History through the eyes of a camera was much more moving than I expected. I have owned this book for ages… have perused the pages on occasion but made a determination that I would read all of it from beginning to end was a good decision!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly excellent photographs! I look through this book often. Some of the photographs truly touch my heart. Some are mind-blowing! Most I shall never forget. A must-have book for everyone!
Horrific! Beautiful! Why? Why not. Life Magazine always had unbelievable photography. I miss Life, their photography, and the people who were able to produce such dynamic photography. It felt as though Life was always there at THAT moment. These will make one laugh. These will make one cry.
No one shall ever forget them. I am lucky to have had Life Magazine such a part of my life. Thank you!

[Maui Rochell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did I scanned through the top 100 photos that changed the world but I also read the stories behind it. But one thing that I couldn't take upon reading this was seeing the photographs of suffering children who became innocent victims of this cruel world.

Overall, I was amazed and my love for photography became deeper and stronger.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was remarkable. The photography was done by many, but the messages that they gave out were very clear. They chronicled the year and the explanation of what happened at the time of the photo. Many were some of the first photos seen by the public, but most were events that I was alive to remember. Dorothea Lange's world famous photo of the people living through the Dust Bowl, the image of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, as well as the 911 sight. There was a photo of the first printed photograph taken from the pages of the New York "Daily Graphic", Twiggy, and Betty Grable in her 1942 pinup poster. Mathew Brady's famous photo of Abraham Lincoln's that was used during his presidential campaign, taken after his antislavery speech in 1860. Bonnie and Clyde were included, as well as the Beatles arriving at New York's JFK's airport in 1964, for the first time. Gettysburg, Hitler, The Crimean War, "The Blitz" in London, D-day, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and so many others.
Anyone who loves photography or history will love this book, as well as any reader who is curious about what was going on in the world at the time these photographs were taken.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salvaging this Life magazine of 176 pages from someone who thought the book had its day, was one of the best things I have chosen to do. The cover was damaged, but its memorable pages of colour and black and white photos were in perfect shape. This collection beckons one to review and analyze its memorable documentary photographic images. What a sad journey it is to review the very darkest of times within, to remember mankind being captured in important world events!
Gordon Parks, in his preliminary essay, says " I have come to believe no art form transforms human apathy quicker than that of photography.... And it is an extraordinary thing when an unforgettable photograph propels you from an evil interlude to the conviction that there must come a better day."

[Your nightmare · Rating 2 out of 5]

If 'World' means America, then sure.
Some photos were left out that I would personally have included (I mean, no 'Raising a Flag over the Reichstag' tells you everything you need to know about the politics at play here) and some that were included I would have left out.
I mean, this is 100 photos that CHANGED THE WORLD, that's an insanely high bar...
That one of George Bush's TV campaigns in the 80's does not even come close to clearing. I mean, seriously? Are we joking here? Does anyone living in the Netherlands or Costa Rica or Thailand even know, let alone had their lives changed by the knowledge of, who Michale Dukakus is?
This decision only makes sense if, again, 'the world' means just 'America', which it seems to to the authors. Dissapointing.

[Jason Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It struck me as I was reading this and just taking in the photography that we (well, at least, l) don’t look at historical imagery nearly as much as I did even ten years ago. With the news cycle now updating and shifting minute to minute, and the constant barrage of information at the beck and call of “clicks” and views of the entertainment and media starved (more and more partisan) public, this book served as a reminder of how important it is not to forget one’s past , or one is doomed to repeat it (thanks George Santayana). This book’s powerful imagery is a chilling reminder of just how many have forgotten the past, and sadly, we are now repeating it is profoundly terrifying ways.

[David Morillo Barrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primera lectura del año y estoy satisfecho de que ha sido esta. Digo esto porque a pesar de ser un libro de 176 páginas, lo que predominó fueron por supuesto las fotografías no la cantidad de palabras que se encontraban dentro de las páginas. Por lo que siento que fue un libro corto a pesar de su tamaño.
.
La única falla que yo considero que tiene este libro es que me parece que el texto que explica la foto es muy breve. No ese gustado más ver una historia de cómo la foto se produjo e incluso el título de la foto. Pero, es un libro que reúne 100 fotografías muy importantes y su historia, a pesar de ser muy breve, da el contexto necesario.

[Yvonne]

This was a good read, although I was shocked by some photographs I had never seen before. I liked to read about the impact some pictures had f.i. on our behavior and to see "the first of" pictures: be it the first passport with a photograph or the first digital picture (1957). All in all a very informative and thus enjoyable read.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my girlfriend. I’d already seen and knew about a lot of the pictures....which isn’t surprising since it’s a collection of famous photos. But it was still a cool way to review the biggest moments in history, and it’s a good book to share around with friends.

[Fabio Mologni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of photos of the last 150 years of US and global history. In fact, despite the title, the audience of this book are US Americans. Many of this photos did not change history, rather they described it or they change how we think of a specific moment in history.

[Mahpara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection left me thinking about how the camera might be the only lens we can actually trust, when history itself keeps getting bent to suit the powerful. It’s brilliant, unsettling, and unforgettable all at once.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

All it takes. One icon photo to change the world.

[Morcys · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good book; It provides relevant information of photographs, that we have all seen at least once.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history told through poignant photographs.

[Dale Rosenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coffee table book but definitely worth reading. I knew many of the pictures but often didn't know the stories behind them. And I was fascinated by some that I felt I should have known but didn't.

[Danielle Grenier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and surprisingly eye-opening.

[Shawna Ridgley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture is worth a thousand words. Very moving book of images that evoke emotion and capture a moment in time.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic and iconic stuff.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book really interesting and the fact that it has the full photos but also has a blurb about each of them makes it more interesting.

Some of the images will be well known to all generations who pick up the book, and some I found myself learning about for the first time. One particular photo which stood out for me was one in Jackson, Mississippi where a crowd of white citizens are abusing and taunting a black girl who is sitting at the counter of a cafe. The pain in her face is amazing and it is interesting to think how far we have come from 1963 when that photo was taken.

There is of course the Tiananmen Square and the fall of Iraq, but there are also photos of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the first ever moving picture.

Overall the book is a great keepsake if nothing else, but I'd recommend it as a coffee table book because a lot of the photos will definitely get people talking.

[Nura · Rating 3 out of 5]

satu quote yg gw suka: "The power of a picture is in the mind of the beholder."

satu gambar bisa beribu interpretasi. tergantung pada siapa, apa, kapan, kenapa, dan bagaimana-nya. seperti potret eksekusi gerilyawan viet cong tahun 1968 yang kemudian terkenal menjadi imej anti-perang itu. di satu sisi, foto itu menampakkan kekejaman yang tak terperi, tapi di sisi lain, sang eksekutor, Nguyễn Ngọc Loan, melakukannya untuk melindungi negeri yang dicintainya. Eddie Adams--yang mengambil foto tersebut--dalam euloginya menulis: The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera. Still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world. People believe them, but photographs do lie, even without manipulation. They are only half-truths. What the photograph didn't say was, "What would you do if you were the general at that time and place on that hot day, and you caught the so-called bad guy after he blew away one, two or three American soldiers?"

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not comfortable to see/read at all times, but I think it was a valuable one to get through. The photos portray inspiration, hope and gratitude, but also horror, shock and fear. The photos show both highs and low of the human experience. The gruesome images may be too much and certainly are not suitable for young children, but they’re certainly valuable to remember. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed in giving this a read; it’d make a great coffee-table-style book and prompt discussion. A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Warning: Contains photos that are graphic and may not be suitable for all audiences

Who should read it? Everyone who can handle the graphic aspects should give this a read. There are many historical events folks should know about.

See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract

[Connie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of photos is especially important historically, since they were selected based on whether they prompted change.

A very powerful comment on the force a picture can have when words are ignored.

I was familiar with many if not most of the photographs, but it was interesting to read about them from a slightly different perspective (the art historical perspective includes the historical perspective, but doesn't always emphasize it). The writing is brief but generally includes the most important information.

[JG (Introverted Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously, whether or not these photographs truly changed the world can be debated. Whether or not you agree with the title, this is a collection of powerful photos. A lot of them are not easy to look at. But they're all important and help us to remember where we came from, very often places we should never go again. Many of these gave me goosebumps or left me teary-eyed. I highly recommend this collection.

[Beatrice Lapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful. Some images, though simple, made me angry, like the one with the story of Rosalind Franklin. Woman dies for science and yet other people get the Nobel Prize instead. (Not that the men who continued her work were undeserving, but still...)

Due to the regular amount of gore we see on media these days, I have been desensitized from the war images. The descriptions, however, were chilling.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good not great book of interesting and important photographs that had an impact on people and society to some extent. There are famous pictures included as well as less known shots of important events. Nice to read or look through, but not presented in a way that will stick with you for any amount of time.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Power, moving and raw, this collection of photographs presents key historical events that has happened in the 20th century. It is primarily U.S focused but nevertheless covers a majority of the photos that have rocked the perception of the world. The emotions and history conveyed in photographs is unparalleled. A bit outdated now but still a recommended read.

[Maralaa Milky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Зураг доторх түүх болон он цагийн зүдрээ нийлээд зүрхийг минь хэд дахин нугалаад авах шиг. Хүн төрөлхтөн өнөөдрийн нарыг харах гэж ийм их хүний амийг авч одох хэрэгтэй бсн ч юм уу үгүй ч юм уу. Тойрох аргагүй дайрах л учиртай зам байждээ гэж нэг өөртөө шивэгнэлээ, гэвч өөрийнхөө нүдийг хуурч чадамгүй аймшигтай бодит зураглал!

not only photos, behind the stories are very touchy.

[Emin Yiğit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tercih edilen veya edilmeyen fotoğraflar ile yayınlanan bazı tarihi fotoğrafların okuyucuya servis ediliş şekli tartışmaya açık. Yine de Life dergisi editörleri tarafından seçilen bu fotoğraflar yakın geçmişe doğru okuyucuyu hüzünlü bir yolculuğa çıkarıyor. Özellikle savaşın sebep olduğu ağır tahribatları yansıtan fotoğraflar oldukça sarsıcı.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the title is somewhat misleading, the book does contain some powerful photography from throughout the years of Life Magazine. It covers a wide range of subject matter and has interesting annotations throughout.