Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs

by Cyma Rubin, Eric Newton (Editor)

The defining moments of the tumultuous second half of the twentieth century captured in riveting photographs. Collected here are the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs (updated to include winners through 2001)?pictures that influenced our thinking in times of crisis and sometimes stirred us to action. Among them are Joe Rosenthal's World War II photograph of the raising of the flag over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, commemorating the more than 6,000 marines who died in the battle for that small Pacific island, and Robert Jackson's photograph of Jack Ruby killing Lee Harvey Oswald, recalling the anguish of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The pictures document that we have lived in a violent age, showing the brutalities of war, racism, and despotism. But the Pulitzer photojournalists also recorded tender and compassionate moments, as in Brian Lanker's pictures of joyous parents at the birth of their child, or Scott Shaw's photographs of the rescue of a little girl trapped in a well. In coming centuries, these indelible images will inevitably be used to illustrate the triumphs and tragedies of our era. 85 duotone and 37 color photographs

Genres: Photography, History, Nonfiction, Art

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2000

Reviews

[Porter Broyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made a huge mistake in reading this book.

This book is not a book that you read. This is a book that defines the genre of coffee table book.

Most of the pictures in this book are super powerful with great back stories. A few that are more memorable:

1) The picture that won the Pulitzer and was presented to a photographer, only to have the actual photographer step forward and say, "No, I took that picture" and prove it with the negatives. (They were both pool photograpehrs with the paper.)

2) The picture that was taken by a young lady only because she remembered her local newspaper was holding a photography contest with a $10 prize.

3) The picture of a guy using a US Flag pole as a weapon against an unarmed man.

4) The picture where the photographer hid his camera, saw his shot, and took a single picture before disappearing in the crowd.

5) The picture of a Vietnamese girl running naked in absolute fear/pain.

6) The picture of Corretta Scott King and her daughter attending MLK's funeral.

7) The picture of a newborn baby with umbilical cord still attached.

So many more. So much raw power. Don't read this cover to cover. Pick it up and read a few here and there.

[Michael Haydel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning collection of every Pullitzer Prize winning photograph since the award has been given, along with commentary by each photographer involved in the picture.

Harrowing, frightful, saddening, and uplifting all in one beautiful package.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intresting book, full of great iconic images. I liked the story behind the photo's, my only gripe being, why must so many of the images be of terrible tragidies, and examples of manys inhumane treatment of his fellow man.

It certainly leads to gloomy thoughts on the state of the world, and where we are heading.

[Adrian]

Prize winning photos from 1942 to 2000. Some like marines planting flag on Mount Suribachi and Kent State shooting are famous, others not. There is a paragraph or two description of the circumstances surrounding each photo. Interesting.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The images in this book each tell an amazing story and have so much emotion: from grief and sadness to anger to joy. The insights into the photographer was fascinating and gave me an insight to US journalism across the years.

[Brenda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed perusing this collection of Pulitzer winning photographs and photographer interviews: fascinating, scary, horrible, all at once. Worthy of your weekend. Prepare yourself and I would not show this to young children.

[KarenB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking look at Pulitzer photographs from the start to the early 2000s.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs edited by Cyma Rubin and Eric Newton (W.W. Norton 2001) (070.4) (3757).

This is an outstanding book filled with truly iconic photos. It features the Pulitzer winning photograph each year from the prize’s inception in 1942 through the book’s publication in 2001 and a short explanation of the background circumstances of each shot.

This is an amazing collection. The photos are alternately moving, terrifying, starkly awful, or filled with radiant wonder. Some are haunting and tragic (“Waiting Game for Sudanese Child” from 1994); some are riveting works of Renaissance-like art (“Baby Rescued From Well” from 1998, in which the rescuers’ facial expressions call to mind the biblical portraits of the apostles).

Many of these photos are instantly recognizable, but there were also several images that were new to me. Several of the most graphic shots were images I had never seen, most likely because press sensors had deemed them to be too sensitive for widespread distribution.

I purchased a used PB copy in good condition for $0.25 from McKay’s Books on 6/1/22.

My rating: 8/10, finished 4/5/23 (3757).

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2008, I attended a showing of Pulitzer winning photos at a small museum in Stockton, CA. The photos blown up to poster size were sometimes difficult to look at.
Seeing this book brought the experience back. It was informative to read the stories behind the often heartbreaking shots.

[Helya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars because I wish there were more photos of joy. Definitely don’t read this front to back. Use it as a coffee table book.

[Michael Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting stories focused on what the photographera were thinking when they took some amazing photos that have gone down in history

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorite books is the Newseum's "The Pulitzer Prize Photographs: Capture the Moment."

A few years ago I visited the Newseum in Washington, DC and was absolutely in love with their Pulitzer Prize Photographs exhibit. I ended up buying the book and it was one of the best decisions of my life.

The book contains every Pulitzer Prize winning photograph and the story behind the photographs. The stories explain what the photographer was doing and thinking at the time of the photograph, what happened that produced the situation for these photos and the public’s reaction.

Some photos and their stories are absolutely heartwretching while others are uplifting and inspiring.

If you ever get a chance to check out the Pulitzer Prize Photographs exhibit (at the Newseum or their traveling exhibit), I strongly recommend it!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to absolutely everyone!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph since 1942 is given a 2-page spread. On one page is the photo, and on the facing page is a punchy write-up based largely on interviews with the photographer, either about the day the photo was taken or about how the photo affected the photographer. Considering that so many of the photos depict horrific scenes, how the photographers coped with what they saw ended up being a big part of the story. The writing is fast-paced, with a cadence that does get a little repetitive, but honestly, who cares. It is always such a relief when books on art are well written and more interested in communicating than in showing off for colleagues in the field. I read it in a day.

[Jim Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely astonishing book, and the companion piece to the exhibit of the same name that I was fortunate enough to visit at the Ohio Historical Society museum. Contained within its pages are some of the most controversial and memorable photographs that you will ever see. The highlights include brief interviews with the photographers describing the stories behind what was shot.

I think this book is the perfect illustration of the power behind the photographic medium. For instance, I'm not a fan at all of former President Bill Clinton. But, there is a photograph showing him listening to a young child at a soda fountain, and the expression on his face would have won my vote. Truly a fascinating collection!

[Anne Fabing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing compilation of photographs covering the years 1942 through 2001. The most amazing aspect of the pictures taken decades ago is that the moments captured could easily translate to events today. The images of Vietnamese refugees could be compared to Middle Eastern refugees. Demonstrations for and against the desegregation of schools could be compared to the "Black Lives Matter" movement. The pictures of genocide on the African continent and in Kosovo compared to the acts of ISIS today. And the heart wrenching photographs from the Columbine Massacre compared to the Newton Massacre in 2012. Some things never change...

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The updated version has the photos that have won the Pulitzer Prize from 1942-2011. The book is available at the Newseum in DC.
The photos are amazing and gut wrenching. So many of them capture visions of raw human emotions of sadness, despair, and occasionally joy or hope. Reading the stories behind the photos adds even more context and depth to the photos themselves.
More than a few of the photos made me cry.
So much of our world's recent history is captured in this book.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving. Of course the pictures are amazing, and many are thought provoking, touching and inspiring. However there is also a shorty story about each picture and what the photographer was thinking. I bought this book at the Newseum when I was on vacation and I really enjoyed the photographs on display, but this was nicer in a way because it allowed me to take my time to really reflect on the pictures and stories.

[Gardavson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh. This is absolutely fabulous. The pictures, of course, are riveting. And the write ups about them, the photographer, the era, add so much without being lengthy boring overkill. This is beyond words and worth any adult person's time. I can't say enough. I own this and will never part with it.

[R. David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read. I'd seen many of the pictures before, some of them many times, but I'd never seen the pictures with the explanations of their backgrounds. These changed my perspectives of many of the pictures. I would recommend reading this one if you have opportunity.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Gives fantastic background on some of the most famous images ever captured. Well laid out, with great reproductions of the images.

[Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published by the Newseum in DC.
It's been on our coffee table for a month now and every visitor thumbed through it: it's that compelling.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you smile. Then Cry. It brings true meaning to "a picture is worth 1,000 words" A photographic historical recap.

[Danie P.]

Great explanations to go along with winning photographs up until 1992.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many horrifying pictures, so it is not a light read. Good though.

[Momma Murgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SELECTION OF THE LITERARY GUILD

[Pearse Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning collection of not only some of the best photographs of all time, but of the thoughts and missions of the photographers behind them. Both were elevated so much by the presence of the other. Many took my breath away and deserved dozens of awards. They were beautifully presented here. A great, dark, coffee table book.