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TO SMILE IN AUTUMN A FASCINATING AND DEEPLY MOVING SELF-PORTRAIT OF THE "PRIME" OF ONE MAN'S LIFE BY THE AUTHOR OF THE LEARNING TREE AND A CHOICE OF WEAPONS
Gordon Parks was born with, he says, “a stubborn need to be somebody.” Though Parks is remembered most notably as a photographer and filmmaker, on his enthralling climb to fame between 1944 and 1978 he was successful in many pursuits, including journalism, poetry, and music. It was not always an easy journey, but by thirty-six he had overcome many obstacles to become a photographer and writer for Life magazine. To Smile in Autumn is a candid revelation of a man in the prime of his life and career. This autobiography, with a new foreword by Alexs Pate, is a testament to a person much attuned to the greater world and driven to leave his mark on it.
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1979
91 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Parks
110 books113 followersGordon Parks was a groundbreaking American photographer, musician, poet, novelist, journalist, activist and film director. He is best remembered for his photo essays for Life Magazine and as the director of the 1971 film, Shaft.
Parks is remembered for his activism, filmmaking, photography, and writings. He was the first African-American to work at Life magazine, and the first to write, direct, and score a Hollywood film. He was profiled in the 1967 documentary "Weapons of Gordon Parks" by American filmmaker Warren Forma. Parks was also a campaigner for civil rights; subject of film and print profiles, notably Half Past Autumn in 2000; and had a gallery exhibit of his photo-related, abstract oil paintings in 1981. He was also a co-founder of Essence magazine, and one of the early contributors to the "blaxploitation" genre.
Parks also performed as a jazz pianist. His first job was as a piano player in a brothel. His song "No Love," composed in another brothel, was performed over a national radio broadcast by Larry Funk and his orchestra in the early 30s. He composed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1953) at the encouragement of black American conductor Dean Dixon and his wife, pianist Vivian and with the help of composer Henry Brant. In 1989, he composed and choreographed Martin, a ballet dedicated to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Beginning in the 1960s, Parks branched out into literature, writing The Learning Tree (1963), several books of poetry illustrated with his own photographs, and three volumes of memoirs.In 1981, Parks turned to fiction with Shannon, a novel about Irish immigrants fighting their way up the social ladder in turbulent early 20th-century New York. Parks' writing accomplishments include novels, poetry, autobiography, and non-fiction including photographic instructional manuals and filmmaking books. Parks also wrote a poem called "The Funeral".
Parks received over 20 honorary doctorates in his lifetime. He died of cancer at the age of 93.
Parks is remembered for his activism, filmmaking, photography, and writings. He was the first African-American to work at Life magazine, and the first to write, direct, and score a Hollywood film. He was profiled in the 1967 documentary "Weapons of Gordon Parks" by American filmmaker Warren Forma. Parks was also a campaigner for civil rights; subject of film and print profiles, notably Half Past Autumn in 2000; and had a gallery exhibit of his photo-related, abstract oil paintings in 1981. He was also a co-founder of Essence magazine, and one of the early contributors to the "blaxploitation" genre.
Parks also performed as a jazz pianist. His first job was as a piano player in a brothel. His song "No Love," composed in another brothel, was performed over a national radio broadcast by Larry Funk and his orchestra in the early 30s. He composed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1953) at the encouragement of black American conductor Dean Dixon and his wife, pianist Vivian and with the help of composer Henry Brant. In 1989, he composed and choreographed Martin, a ballet dedicated to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Beginning in the 1960s, Parks branched out into literature, writing The Learning Tree (1963), several books of poetry illustrated with his own photographs, and three volumes of memoirs.In 1981, Parks turned to fiction with Shannon, a novel about Irish immigrants fighting their way up the social ladder in turbulent early 20th-century New York. Parks' writing accomplishments include novels, poetry, autobiography, and non-fiction including photographic instructional manuals and filmmaking books. Parks also wrote a poem called "The Funeral".
Parks received over 20 honorary doctorates in his lifetime. He died of cancer at the age of 93.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 12, 2009
Life and times of the great African American photographer. I'm reviewing it for Blogcritics.
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March 9, 2017Read two out of three of his autobiographies so far. Such and interesting and deep life that intersected with central characters at pivotal times in or country's history. Makes me want to get out my camera, get out my pen, and direct, write, travel, and create.
March 25, 2019
For me the story behind the photograph is just as if not more important than the output itself, and this book is just that: Gordon Parks is a person that as a black photographer one should acquaint themselves with.
December 29, 2014
Excellent insights into this era, as Parks was a successful photographer, writer, and director. Yet, he still faced much racism and restrictions on his creativity.
June 20, 2024
What a wonderful book.
Gordon Parks gives me hope that art can be truthful once again. That the everyday person can make meaningful art, not because it tops the charts, but because it is truthful and done to the creator’s best ability.
Parks lived in the corners of history and occasionally peaked out from the shadows to be known by history. He honestly delivered a report on Malcolm X and the civil rights movement, and it was refreshing to read such an observation from a man who knows hardship very well.
Every word, sentence, and phrase of this book melted into a lovely dance that held me captive during the whole waltz. I enjoyed it so thoroughly that I procrastinated finishing it.
I have a feeling that this book will remain in the corner of my mind for the rest of my life. And I do hope it revisits my conscious from time to time.
Gordon Parks gives me hope that art can be truthful once again. That the everyday person can make meaningful art, not because it tops the charts, but because it is truthful and done to the creator’s best ability.
Parks lived in the corners of history and occasionally peaked out from the shadows to be known by history. He honestly delivered a report on Malcolm X and the civil rights movement, and it was refreshing to read such an observation from a man who knows hardship very well.
Every word, sentence, and phrase of this book melted into a lovely dance that held me captive during the whole waltz. I enjoyed it so thoroughly that I procrastinated finishing it.
I have a feeling that this book will remain in the corner of my mind for the rest of my life. And I do hope it revisits my conscious from time to time.
February 5, 2023
I saw this book and remembered that Gordon Parks had some history in Minnesota and it being a cold winter day in the Twin Cities I thought I would give it a try. I knew about his photography and writings but I didn't know much about his life. I'm glad I read it! He's an excellent writer and has the capacity to put you into the times he writes about. I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews