America Through the Lens: Photographers Who Changed the Nation

by Martin W. Sandler

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera."-Lewis Hine

A stunning view of America as captured by groundbreaking photographers

American history is punctuated by defining moments-some proud, some tragic, some beautiful. Photography has made it possible for these moments to be captured and shared with the public. As the craft has evolved from unwieldy glass negatives to digital imagery, the photographs themselves have changed the way we see the world.

From Mathew Brady's startling Civil War photographs to NASA's stunning images of the universe, this book highlights twelve photographers whose work has truly changed the nation.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Art

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Martin W. Sandler has written more than seventy books for children and adults and has written and produced seven television series. He has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has won multiple Emmy Awards. He lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic history of twelve influential American photographers. Sandler has selected well known - Matthew Brady - as well as little known - Frances Benjamin Johnson - photographers. What is particularly compelling is the diversity of sex, race and background of the photographers combined with the tremendous quality of their images and the major impact each had on American culture and understanding of social issues. This is a great book for units on change makers or social history and demonstrates the impact of the arts. While I haven't yet read all the essays, the handful I have read have convinced me that our library needs this book and that we need children's biographies of many these remarkable individuals.

[Kyle Miguel Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite nonfiction books. Definitely recommend.

[Abby Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical photos.

[Carol Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love photography. Especially from these photographers and time periods. It’s wonderful to learn the stories behind the artists.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of mini-biographies of important American photographers, each accompanied by examples of the artists’ work. Each photographer’s work changes America in some way. Some showed us the truth about war: Mathew Brady and Toni Frissell. Some showed us African Americans in a new light: Toni Frissell, Frances Benjamin Jonston, and James Van Der Zee. Others revealed the struggles of America’s poor: Jacob Riis and Dorthea Lange. Others preserved our American heritage: William Henry Jackson and Marion Post Wolcott. The photographs of Margaret Bourke-White and NASA used technology and industry to show us the changing world. Carefully selected photographs illustrate the biographies and prove Sandler’s points about them.

Sandler creates historical context through the biographies and photographs. This books falls in two categories of informational books: biography and photography. While filled with photographs, this book is in traditional chapter book format, equally balance between text and illustration. It might have been better with less text and more photographs, more like a photo essay.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for anyone interested in photography. Dorothea Lange's famous "Migrant Mother" literally brought tears to my eyes when I saw it. We take our technology for granted. William Henry Jackson packed his camera on the back of a donkey through Yellowstone Park. The glass negatives were sixteen by twenty inches! More than once his mule slipped on the "treacherous terrain" and Jackson watched as his plates came loose and shattered into pieces. He took the first pictures of the park. Before his pictures, the geysers and bubbling springs were just tales to those living in the East. Amazed by the gems, national leaders made it the first National Park.

[Connie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a basic book on some of the major American photographers to change American history, as the subtitle says. Nice quotes, explanations, and photos. It's a relatively brief look (appropriate since it's categorized as a juvenile book from the library), but is not condescending or boring. P.S. The emphasis is more on social and historical change made than on pure photography, so it is also appropriate that many photographers were left out.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up in the library in the juvenile section due to my interest in both photography and history. It's a great, informative volume. If I were still homeschooling I'd definitely try to work this into the curriculum.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like photography and history this is a great read!

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

why don't they teach history like this in school? Maybe they do by now and I just sound old. I enjoyed the stories of these photographers and the times in which their careers developed.

[Rachel Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really neat book, all about the photographers behind the famous pictures. Even though this was a juvenile book, I thought it would be better for high school aged and older students.

[Karen Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

picked it for a display - was just going to look at the pictures, but ended up reading most of it! Nice, accessible book for young adults (and adults!). I learned some stuff...

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice summary of several photographers who greatly impacted the USA in its earliest days. a good jumping off point for further exploration.