Great Photographic Essays from Life

by LIFE

Book by

Genres: Photography, Art

278 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1978

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

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two strengths to this collection: the quality of the LIFE photo essays themselves and the ability of commentator Maitland Edey to provide informative background from his longtime experience at LIFE. His explanations before each of the 22 essays offered valuable insight into those who collaborated for the pieces and of whom he knew personally. In his lengthy Introduction Edey also describes the nature of the photographic essay, the changing editors at LIFE, and how the essay itself both varied with artists assigned to the story and evolved overall through the years. The size, too, of the book at 13.5 x 10.5 inches allows the reader to see the essays in just about the same size as the original LIFE publications. This is an exceptional collection of journalism work that is enhanced still more by the commentator's insights.