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Half Past Autumn
Covers the author's photographic work with Life magazine
360 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
4 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Parks
108 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 28, 2012
This is truly an amazing book about an amazing man. One of the most underrated, multi-talented figures of our lifetime. Gordon Parks was an amazing photographer, poet, film director, composer, human rights champion and so much more. Half Past Autumn beautifully captures the scope of this incredible man and groundbreaking contributions he has made. Both the photos and text are exceptional. I highly recommend.
November 15, 2017
Stunning and inspirational! Gordon Parks is an impressive human being in every respect. Words fail me...
December 30, 2019
I stumbled across Gordon Parks through an illustrated biography for children. The children's book captured my interest as he acquired an inexpensive camera and began capturing images of African Americans in a time period when these people were hidden and their lives unimportant. That book led me to acquire this book which not only represented his photography across a broad scope of time and interest. The accompanying writing leads you into a deeper view of his life, his art and his amazing scope of talent which includes music, film and writing.
November 17, 2017
Compelling images and snippets of his life story. Gordon Parks was an extraordinary man.
July 18, 2025
Fascinating stories. What an interesting life and oeuvre -- a true polymath.
November 27, 2019
I'm ashamed to admit I'd never heard of Gordon Parks. This man's photography is diverse and stunning. His writing is poignant. His resume is impressive. And despite living through the 1950s and 60s, he exhibits such grace through his words and photos. I loved this book.
June 8, 2018
An amazingly rich and heavy tome, containing a multitude of photos and an essay by Philip Brookman. Also included here are Gordon's stories behind the photos, as well as some of his poetry and more recent work. The stories collected during his time photographing Flavio in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro (Life magazine, 1961) are truly heartrending.
Parks is a great writer, and has published a few autobiographies which impart further insight into his varied career. Our arts book club recently read Choice of Weapons; I'm glad to have finally been introduced formally to his work and words.
Parks is a great writer, and has published a few autobiographies which impart further insight into his varied career. Our arts book club recently read Choice of Weapons; I'm glad to have finally been introduced formally to his work and words.
August 30, 2007
The true definition of a renaissance man. Aside from God he probably was second in his understanding of light and shadow. His interests, his pursuits they can humble most anyone. I not only read this book but saw the exhibit and the documentary. I don't think that any better photographer ever existed.
August 21, 2008
I saw Original Photos from this book at his show about 4 years back at the Cleveland Museum of Art. He is a master of being at the wrong place at the right time. His photographs look inside situations, persecution, and wars like he is a fearless warrior. Ready to observe but in the heat of the battle. Ready to risk everything to gain a photograph.
March 25, 2013
Good lord, this is rough to look at. Gordon Parks has been everywhere, a true Renaissance man, but these chronicles grab you and don't let you go. Haunting and real, Parks tries to be "objective journalist", but how can you stay that way amidst the squalor and suffering?
August 5, 2007
I knew his son. he was a great photographer also
January 21, 2008
Fabulous artist way ahead of his time.
June 3, 2015
A great retrospective of an American Master!
July 27, 2007
My favorite photographer...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews