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Let Freedom Ring: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the March on Washington
A bestselling author and legendary photographer present an illuminating look at a pivotal moment in our nation's The March on Washington
Despite the heat and humidity, people came in droves from across the country and around the world, heading for the towering spire of the Washington Monument in our nation's capital. All of the marchers―black, white, Christian, and Jew―shared the same freedom and equality for 19 million African Americans. Almost 300,000 strong, the marchers poured into Washington, D.C., to bear witness, to hear the immortal words of Martin Luther King, Jr., and to petition Congress to pass the President's Civil Rights bill.
Stanley Tretick, a seasoned photojournalist best known for his iconic images of President Kennedy and his family, was also in the crowd, drawing inspiration from the historic scenes unfolding before him. In this magnificent book, his stirring photographs of that day are published for the first time. Accompanied by an insightful essay and captions from bestselling author Kitty Kelley, as well as a moving foreword by Marian Wright Edelman, Let Freedom Ring commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington and celebrates the crescendo of the Civil Rights movement in America.
Despite the heat and humidity, people came in droves from across the country and around the world, heading for the towering spire of the Washington Monument in our nation's capital. All of the marchers―black, white, Christian, and Jew―shared the same freedom and equality for 19 million African Americans. Almost 300,000 strong, the marchers poured into Washington, D.C., to bear witness, to hear the immortal words of Martin Luther King, Jr., and to petition Congress to pass the President's Civil Rights bill.
Stanley Tretick, a seasoned photojournalist best known for his iconic images of President Kennedy and his family, was also in the crowd, drawing inspiration from the historic scenes unfolding before him. In this magnificent book, his stirring photographs of that day are published for the first time. Accompanied by an insightful essay and captions from bestselling author Kitty Kelley, as well as a moving foreword by Marian Wright Edelman, Let Freedom Ring commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington and celebrates the crescendo of the Civil Rights movement in America.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2013
2 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Kelley
15 books89 followersKitty Kelley is an American investigative journalist and author of several best-selling unauthorized biographies of celebrities and politicians. Described as a "poison pen" biographer, her profiles frequently contain unflattering personal anecdotes and details, and their accuracy is often questioned. Though many of her books have topped the best sellers list, Kelley's credibility and sources have been called into question multiple times.
Time magazine reported that most journalists believe Kelley "too frequently fails to bring perspective or analysis to the fruits of her reporting and at times lards her work with dollops of questionable inferences and innuendos." In addition, Kelley has been described by Joe Klein as a "professional sensationalist" and her books have been described as "Kitty litter."
Her past subjects have included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Royal Family, and the Bush family. Although Kelley has been criticized and her books hotly debated, she has never been successfully sued for libel and has never been forced to retract a written statement.
Time magazine reported that most journalists believe Kelley "too frequently fails to bring perspective or analysis to the fruits of her reporting and at times lards her work with dollops of questionable inferences and innuendos." In addition, Kelley has been described by Joe Klein as a "professional sensationalist" and her books have been described as "Kitty litter."
Her past subjects have included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Royal Family, and the Bush family. Although Kelley has been criticized and her books hotly debated, she has never been successfully sued for libel and has never been forced to retract a written statement.
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August 27, 2023
Stanley Tretick and the March On Washington
The photojournalist Stanley Tretick (1921 -- 1999) is best-known for his photographs of John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1960 and for his photographs of the Kennedy presidency. Tretick became close personally to Kennedy, and his photographs of the Kennedy White House were instrumental in establishing its "Camelot" image.
Tretick received special credentials to cover the August 28, 1963, March on Washington for "Look" magazine, his employer. "Look" never published Tretick's photographs which appear for the first time in this new book, "Let Freedom Ring: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the March on Washington" (2013). The book has been published in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic March.
Kitty Kelly has written the accompanying text which describes briefly the history leading up to the March, including the Freedom Rides and the Birmingham demonstrations and President Kennedy's proposed Civil Rights legislation. Kelly is the author of several well-received biographies of political figures, including Jaqueline Onassis, Nancy Reagan, and the Bush family and celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra, and Elizabeth Taylor. She also has edited a volume of Tretick's photgraphs of JFK, "Capturing Camelot" (2012) Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys
Tretick's photgraphs are at their best in capturing large masses of people at the Washington Mall and the Reflecting Pool with the passion on their faces and their body language reflecting a commitment to civil rights and to the historical character of the moment. The photographs capture the march in its racial, age, religious, and gender diversity. Tretick also photographed the leaders of the March, the "Big Ten" for the ten sponsoring organizations talking among themselves, leading the assembled participants, and meeting with Congressional leaders before the March and with Kennedy upon its conclusion. The book also includes several photographs of Kennedy that predate the March on Washington.
Kelly's text describes the March, its goals, and its leaders in simple, succinct language. She also describes the Kennedy administration's cautious approach to the March -- Kennedy initially tried to prevail upon the leaders of the March to call it off. He feared that violence might result which would work a setback to the administration's civil rights agenda. Kelly presents excerpts from Martin Luther King's climactic "I Have a Dream" speech. She also offers short excerpts from the speeches of each of the other nine leaders who proceeded King to the platform. The civil rights leaders and groups included Phillip Randolph, the director of the March, Roy Wilkins of the NAACP, John Lewis of SNCC, Whitney Young of the National Urban League, and Floyd McKissick of CORE, in addition to Dr. King. The four additional "Big Ten" members consisted of three religious groups represented by Mathew Ahmann, National Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice, Eugene Blake, National Council of Churches, and Rabbi Joachim Prinz, American Jewish Congress. The final member of the Big Ten was Walter Reuther of the AFL-CIO.
It is valuable to have Tretick's photographs of the March on Washington preserved and made easily available in this book. The excerpts from each of the speeches, sometimes overlooked, are also an important feature of the book. The book offers a good basic overview of the March on Washington for those readers unfamiliar with it. The book may encourage readers to think about the March's significance and to learn more.
Robin Friedman
The photojournalist Stanley Tretick (1921 -- 1999) is best-known for his photographs of John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1960 and for his photographs of the Kennedy presidency. Tretick became close personally to Kennedy, and his photographs of the Kennedy White House were instrumental in establishing its "Camelot" image.
Tretick received special credentials to cover the August 28, 1963, March on Washington for "Look" magazine, his employer. "Look" never published Tretick's photographs which appear for the first time in this new book, "Let Freedom Ring: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the March on Washington" (2013). The book has been published in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic March.
Kitty Kelly has written the accompanying text which describes briefly the history leading up to the March, including the Freedom Rides and the Birmingham demonstrations and President Kennedy's proposed Civil Rights legislation. Kelly is the author of several well-received biographies of political figures, including Jaqueline Onassis, Nancy Reagan, and the Bush family and celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra, and Elizabeth Taylor. She also has edited a volume of Tretick's photgraphs of JFK, "Capturing Camelot" (2012) Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys
Tretick's photgraphs are at their best in capturing large masses of people at the Washington Mall and the Reflecting Pool with the passion on their faces and their body language reflecting a commitment to civil rights and to the historical character of the moment. The photographs capture the march in its racial, age, religious, and gender diversity. Tretick also photographed the leaders of the March, the "Big Ten" for the ten sponsoring organizations talking among themselves, leading the assembled participants, and meeting with Congressional leaders before the March and with Kennedy upon its conclusion. The book also includes several photographs of Kennedy that predate the March on Washington.
Kelly's text describes the March, its goals, and its leaders in simple, succinct language. She also describes the Kennedy administration's cautious approach to the March -- Kennedy initially tried to prevail upon the leaders of the March to call it off. He feared that violence might result which would work a setback to the administration's civil rights agenda. Kelly presents excerpts from Martin Luther King's climactic "I Have a Dream" speech. She also offers short excerpts from the speeches of each of the other nine leaders who proceeded King to the platform. The civil rights leaders and groups included Phillip Randolph, the director of the March, Roy Wilkins of the NAACP, John Lewis of SNCC, Whitney Young of the National Urban League, and Floyd McKissick of CORE, in addition to Dr. King. The four additional "Big Ten" members consisted of three religious groups represented by Mathew Ahmann, National Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice, Eugene Blake, National Council of Churches, and Rabbi Joachim Prinz, American Jewish Congress. The final member of the Big Ten was Walter Reuther of the AFL-CIO.
It is valuable to have Tretick's photographs of the March on Washington preserved and made easily available in this book. The excerpts from each of the speeches, sometimes overlooked, are also an important feature of the book. The book offers a good basic overview of the March on Washington for those readers unfamiliar with it. The book may encourage readers to think about the March's significance and to learn more.
Robin Friedman
May 25, 2020
I continue my journey into the very important Civil Rights movement of the United States. This book is an iconic look at the March on Washington. It contains photos of blacks and whites holding signs and holding hands. Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream was spoken on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. On Wednesday, August 28, 1963, blacks, whites, Jews, Catholics, Protestans.and Muslims, rallied round a host of speakers who marched for freedom and equality for 19 Million African Americans. They took buses, planes, they walked, and one brave man from Chicago actually rode roller skates to the nation's capital.
They marched for jobs, for their right to vote, and to march with the statement that no longer would the "Negro" tolerate poverty, isolation, and cruel beatings when they tried to fight for what was due them. While President John F. Kennedy and others had fears that it would be a non-peaceful gathering and that people would storm the nations capital. No one needed to fear, it was indeed a very peaceful gathering, much like a Sunday picnic. Previously, both JFK, and his brother Robert Kennendy, and millions of Americans watched the black and white tv screens, as in horror they cringed at "Bull" Connors actions of having German Shepard dogs take chunks of flesh from protesters who wanted a better America, and a chance at the dream of freedom.
As the children were plastered against walls as the power of stinging water threw them heavily. Using the tactics of those who came before them, this was a non-violent gathering, and affirmed that the black person was entitled to the same rights as others. It confirmed that long-overdue, the black American's wanted what the white's had -- a chance at a job that would enable them to have a roof over their heads, and food on the table. No longer should there be signs of "White's Only," warning black American's that there would be beating and grave trouble if they sat at the same lunch counters that forbid them to sit. These same stores took the black persons money to buy goods, but were plain that they would not be incorporated in the American dream!
Later, as every scrap of paper was meticulously thrown away. And, it was this mighty walk to freedom that changed the nasty tide of hatred.
Stanley Tretuck as a premere photojournalist. He covered the days of JFK and his family in the White House. He worked for Look magazine, and his images portrayed the coming together, using non-violence as a tool to obtain their imperatives.
They marched for jobs, for their right to vote, and to march with the statement that no longer would the "Negro" tolerate poverty, isolation, and cruel beatings when they tried to fight for what was due them. While President John F. Kennedy and others had fears that it would be a non-peaceful gathering and that people would storm the nations capital. No one needed to fear, it was indeed a very peaceful gathering, much like a Sunday picnic. Previously, both JFK, and his brother Robert Kennendy, and millions of Americans watched the black and white tv screens, as in horror they cringed at "Bull" Connors actions of having German Shepard dogs take chunks of flesh from protesters who wanted a better America, and a chance at the dream of freedom.
As the children were plastered against walls as the power of stinging water threw them heavily. Using the tactics of those who came before them, this was a non-violent gathering, and affirmed that the black person was entitled to the same rights as others. It confirmed that long-overdue, the black American's wanted what the white's had -- a chance at a job that would enable them to have a roof over their heads, and food on the table. No longer should there be signs of "White's Only," warning black American's that there would be beating and grave trouble if they sat at the same lunch counters that forbid them to sit. These same stores took the black persons money to buy goods, but were plain that they would not be incorporated in the American dream!
Later, as every scrap of paper was meticulously thrown away. And, it was this mighty walk to freedom that changed the nasty tide of hatred.
Stanley Tretuck as a premere photojournalist. He covered the days of JFK and his family in the White House. He worked for Look magazine, and his images portrayed the coming together, using non-violence as a tool to obtain their imperatives.
June 12, 2014
It was a Wednesday, August 28, 1963 -- But people still wore their Sunday best.
The easy thing to say would be that this is a photographic history of the March of Washington during the Civil Rights era, period, but it is so much more!
The photographs here were taken by Stanley Tretick (1921-1999). Tretick was considered one of the preeminent photojournalists of his era. He took the photographs for this book, which are published for the first time.
But there is more here than a book of great photographs. There are biographies of the "Big Ten" in Civil Rights. Want to know who these Big Ten are? You'll have to read the book, but know that Tretick took a picture of these gentleman sitting in front of the statue of Lincoln (Lincoln Memorial), and that photograph is in this book.
One of the "Big Ten" is a young John Lewis. You can learn more about him in his autobiographical graphic novel called "March" which is volume #1 in a 3-part trilogy.
There are also excerpts from speeches that these gentlemen gave on that historical day, when those who shared in Martin Luther King, Jr's Dream went to Washington to show Congress that they would no longer tolerate isolating the "Negro," as Dr. King would say in his speech that day ...
One interesting thing that I did learn was that as a candidate, JFK had promised to eliminate housing segregation with the "stroke of a pen." As President, he used his executive power to end discrimination in FEDERALLY FINANCED housing. His Justice Department petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue rules prohibiting segregated seating on buses, displays of "of "white" and "colored" signs in bus & train stations, and segregation of any and all station lunch counters ...
But the President, afraid he might rile Dixiecrats (Southern Segregationists), dragged his feet on proposing comprehensive Civil Rights legislation. He was not seen as a profile in courage, but rather in caution, and many saw him as a rich, white man watching from the box seats -- removed from the trouble.
Afraid of alienating the vote? Typical politician.
The easy thing to say would be that this is a photographic history of the March of Washington during the Civil Rights era, period, but it is so much more!
The photographs here were taken by Stanley Tretick (1921-1999). Tretick was considered one of the preeminent photojournalists of his era. He took the photographs for this book, which are published for the first time.
But there is more here than a book of great photographs. There are biographies of the "Big Ten" in Civil Rights. Want to know who these Big Ten are? You'll have to read the book, but know that Tretick took a picture of these gentleman sitting in front of the statue of Lincoln (Lincoln Memorial), and that photograph is in this book.
One of the "Big Ten" is a young John Lewis. You can learn more about him in his autobiographical graphic novel called "March" which is volume #1 in a 3-part trilogy.
There are also excerpts from speeches that these gentlemen gave on that historical day, when those who shared in Martin Luther King, Jr's Dream went to Washington to show Congress that they would no longer tolerate isolating the "Negro," as Dr. King would say in his speech that day ...
One interesting thing that I did learn was that as a candidate, JFK had promised to eliminate housing segregation with the "stroke of a pen." As President, he used his executive power to end discrimination in FEDERALLY FINANCED housing. His Justice Department petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue rules prohibiting segregated seating on buses, displays of "of "white" and "colored" signs in bus & train stations, and segregation of any and all station lunch counters ...
But the President, afraid he might rile Dixiecrats (Southern Segregationists), dragged his feet on proposing comprehensive Civil Rights legislation. He was not seen as a profile in courage, but rather in caution, and many saw him as a rich, white man watching from the box seats -- removed from the trouble.
Afraid of alienating the vote? Typical politician.
September 4, 2013
I just discovered no less than 59 books with this same title (Let Freedom Ring), so I can't give Kitty Kelley any points for originality in the title. This is such an enjoyable book that I have to give her credit for putting together the photographs and the very brief text that accompanies those photos. Anyone who has ever read any of the biographies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or the 1963 March on Washington probably already knows everything that is in this book. I admit that I did not know that the D.C. administration was so prepared for trouble that they had a plan to shut down the sound system where the speakers were speaking and substitute a recording of Mahalia Jackson singing, "He's Got the Whole World" in place of any fiery rhetoric. Fortunately it was never used.
However, there is a very good reason to have this book sitting on your coffee table and that is to educate younger people (anyone 30 or under) about the Civil Rights movement. Its format solves the problem of trying to entice them to actually read something. Nice big interesting pictures with little blurbs of inspirational script and/or very brief descriptions of the March and the movers and shakers. It is also a reminder to all of us that we still have a long ways to go to reach the very basic freedoms demanded in 1963 and still being denied in 2013 to persons of color.
However, there is a very good reason to have this book sitting on your coffee table and that is to educate younger people (anyone 30 or under) about the Civil Rights movement. Its format solves the problem of trying to entice them to actually read something. Nice big interesting pictures with little blurbs of inspirational script and/or very brief descriptions of the March and the movers and shakers. It is also a reminder to all of us that we still have a long ways to go to reach the very basic freedoms demanded in 1963 and still being denied in 2013 to persons of color.
November 30, 2015
If you would rather your coffee table reflect something auspicious, try Kitty Kelley’s Let Freedom Ring in which her writing accompanies the photos of Stanley Tretick (1921-1999) from the August 28, 1963 March on Washington—50 years ago now. Tretick was a photographer for Look magazine; because it was a bimonthly publication his pictures were never used and this contains hundreds of them. Tretick was trusted by John F. Kennedy, whose campaign he covered, so there are many shots of John and Bobby as well as candids of the March’s major players like “Big Six” members Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, A. Philip Randolph, and others. Many shots of regular March attendees give readers a sense of the scene; folks dressed up for the march on a day that turned out wickedly hot. Though Kelley is frequently characterized as a muckraker, her incisive, explanatory passages are excellent. VERDICT One can learn much from the right combination of visuals and words, in this case they are especially adept at conveying the simple, massive scale of the event, estimated at between 200,000 and 300,000 people.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
November 15, 2013
With just enough text, this book does a good job of presenting photos of the March on Washington and placing the event in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and American history. I liked that Kelley offered excerpts from speeches from all who were there that day, and that there were mini-bios from those who are not as well known.
The other thing that this book does nicely is to present the event as it unfolded - discussing the background and the issues raised before the event, the people who were behind the planning, and then the event itself. It's not meant to be a detailed look at the March - and it doesn't need to be - so it's great as an overview or an introduction to learning more.
The other thing that this book does nicely is to present the event as it unfolded - discussing the background and the issues raised before the event, the people who were behind the planning, and then the event itself. It's not meant to be a detailed look at the March - and it doesn't need to be - so it's great as an overview or an introduction to learning more.
July 20, 2013
This is an exceptional book about the March on Washington. I thought I knew a little bit about this pivotal event, but I honestly learned so much through the text and photographs. Did you know that Dr. King veered from his written speech when he began telling about his dream? There are excerpts from numerous speeches, including Dr. King's. What a wonderful resource to use to teach the new Common Core Curriculum! I plan to use it as a mentor text, Jeff Anderson style, and compare the speeches of different people who spoke at the march. This book should be in every media center in every school.
This copy is from First Reads.
This copy is from First Reads.
August 31, 2013
GOODREADS GIVEAWAY! :)
The pictures in this book are absolutely amazing! I enjoyed reading about this tremendous period in US History. The sections of reading are brief so easy to pick up a little bit at a time and the book is filled with inspirational moments captured in the words and the pictures. I loved this book! Great gift for someone's coffee table!
The pictures in this book are absolutely amazing! I enjoyed reading about this tremendous period in US History. The sections of reading are brief so easy to pick up a little bit at a time and the book is filled with inspirational moments captured in the words and the pictures. I loved this book! Great gift for someone's coffee table!
August 31, 2016
GOODREADS WINNER!!
This was a really great book! I loved the concise way that it was written....each page still had so much meaning and emotion....the pictures were beautifully selected. I would like to keep this for when my son is older and can enjoy it also.
Thank you.
This was a really great book! I loved the concise way that it was written....each page still had so much meaning and emotion....the pictures were beautifully selected. I would like to keep this for when my son is older and can enjoy it also.
Thank you.
August 12, 2016
Perfect coffee table book. Lots of great information in a concise, reader-friendly format. Well worth the afternoon it'll take you to sit with this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews