Moments: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs

by Hal Buell

This book offers readers a dramatic visual chronicle of our times. These are unforgettable moments in history-five Marines raising the US flag in Iwo Jima in 1945, Babe Ruth's final salute to Yankee stadium in 1949, Lee Harvey Oswald wincing in pain as he is shot in 1964, President Ronald Reagan being tackled into his limousine after the 1982 assassination attempt. Captured by the lenses of top photographers, these 98 Pulitzer Prize winning photographs-combined with photo-timelines-paint a dramatic and memorable montage of each year, from World War II to the last days of the 20th Century. Etched with emotion, fury and passion, each photograph transports the reader back in time to cry with the victims or cheer with the heroes. A detailed narrative along with the timeline that pictures and notes the most significant events of each year fills in the historical background, the photographer's thoughts, the events leading up to the captured moment as well as the aperture opening and shutter speed. All photographs are rendered in duotone or full color, producing clear and crisp images.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, History, Journalism, World History, Reference

255 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Hal Buell is the former head of the Photography Service (photography director) at the Associated Press. He is also the author of Moments: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographs and Uncommon Valor, Common Virtue, a book about war photographer Joe Rosenthal. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Buell

Reviews

[Vic Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition of "Moments" is expanded to include "Feature Photography" starting in 1978. This volume contains some of the world's most iconic photos ever taken. Don't miss it!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will lift you up, tear your heart out, aid you in understanding current events from 1943-
2015, help you feel and extend your compassion, hopefully, educate you, learn what a photojournalist goes through 'to get that picture', and give you a picture of the world during the years stated above.
Moments:The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographs by Hal Buell should not be missed. A truly excellent book. Very highly recommended!!

[Andrew Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coffee table book with Pulitzer Prize winning pictures from 1942 till 2007. Each photo is accompanied by a short description of its origin and circumstances when captured by its author. This helps in understanding the difficulties involved in taking the "perfect" shot and amount of preparation undertaken by the photographer.

Most of the pictures are well known but who knows how Robert Jackson managed to get the exact moment when Lee Harvey Oswald was shot by Jack Ruby, or how Ron Edmonds managed to capture an assassination attempt on President Reagan?

Additionally, for each year, a series of small pictures with the other major events in that year are included as well. A great coffee table book.

[Tom Romig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful images from over half a century, from the first prize in 1942--"The Battle of the Overpass"--to 2015 and the tragedy in Ferguson. The reproductions are large and plentiful. (In 1968, two annual prizes began to be awarded, one for feature photography and the other for spot news photography, the latter renamed breaking news photography in 2000.) Hal Buell's text gives background on both the photos and the photographers. He divides the book into six eras, each with an insightful introduction. One glaring lack: no captions, so it's not always clear what is being depicted.

[Dafydd Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book touching on various aspects of photography Pulitzer prizes - the photographers, photography technology,the stories covered and the history in general. Can be rather sad at times as most of the stories seem to be of human hardships, especially war. This was the 2005 edition - may consider the 2015 edition.

[Rhonda Gregware · Rating 5 out of 5]

The contents of this book will stay with me for a long time, for two reasons:
1) I learned a tremendous amount about modern world history by reading every word of each photo's explanation.
2) The photos were so telling - about the caring of some people for others, and about how cruel some people are capable of being, particularly in the name of politics and/or religion.

[Cara Noyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The print portion of the text is small. Timelines accompany the stories to photos but they are in even smaller font. Photos take center stage and are glorious.
This book is worth checking out; find it at your local library for a visual walk thru history.

[Andre Hermanto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good:
* Many heroic, thought-provoking and horrifying photographs.

Bad:
* There's no short summary about the subject, location and date for each of the photos. The reader must read an essay to know what it's about.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always been intrigued by the backstories of Pulitzer photos, and this book didn’t disappoint with the tales behind every award-winning image up to 2005. Some were heart wrenching, some inspiring. All made you pause and recognize the power of a moment in time.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, however it does not include all Pulitzer Prize winning photos from each photo essay, only a select few chosen by the author.

[Jamey Boelhower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the history of the photographer and the camera’s used for each picture. Reading the book was an emotional rollercoaster.

[OJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice walk down memory lane. With photographer info and details surrounding each shot.

[CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a day and age of polarized and politicized journalism a work of this quality that covers the award winning images that have helped define print coverage of the world is most welcomed.

Hal Buell well known at least partially for his compilations of great photographic images of twentieth century events has delivered another 'keeper' for the libraries of photographers, journalists, and historians. A consistent format divided into historic period sections in chronological order gives this book more value than merely a catalog of the award winners. From the first black and white photographs taken on medium format classic press cameras to the digital age each photo is reproduced and reprinted in a high quality fashion.

The story of the photos is as often compelling as the story they render or illustrate. From war coverage to tragic urban mishap, each photo sparks a memory for those alive at that time or fills in the details of some else wise dry historic moment.

Not every great moment in the time covered by these awards won a prize. Many of these photos were part of stories that otherwise wouldn't have had the meaning or impact they did as a result of the effect of 'another thousand words' instantly added by their existence.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Well written. Gives a sense of meaningful continuity to the past 68 yrs. The descriptions of the different eras in photography render the reader a clear sense of the change that photography has gone through, as well as a coincident feel for historical events and patterns over that same period of time. Further, the narratives of each Pulitzer winning shot add a sense of the human factor accompanying each of the shots.

[s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Japanese translated edition

This book reminds me there are so many things I need to know. It's difficult to know just by words. A shot tells everything no need for explanation. So many horribly sad shots but there's also a few sweet shots. I love the one with a police officer and a boy in Chinatown. The shot is so peaceful and full of respect.

This book gave me really good ideas to know more about real world.

[Stephen Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, a gift from my son and daughter, presents and discusses the Pulitzer prize-winning photographs of each year from 1942 to 2011. The photographs are not surprisingly amazing but they are accompanied by the events in the photographs themselves and a commentary on the evolution of press photography.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs from throughout the years. The book progresses in a year by year fashion, highlighting the years top photos and the stories behind them. Interesting from both a historical and photographic perspective.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 2015 edition and it was awesome. Besides the historical events encapsulated in the photos, the book is an interesting look at the history of photography and journalism. A warning, though, a lot of the images are difficult to look at. Lots of violence, dead bodies and sad stories.

[Mell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was moved by the great range of emotions within these photos when I saw an exhibit at the History Museum.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and inspirational photography.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the best photographs by our times' leading photojournalists.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book of Pulitzer Prize winning photos.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

All it takes. A photographer. To be at the right time and place. To capture the historic moment shot.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting overview of all the different conflicts, and some absolutely amazing photos too.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in high school, but recently I have been thinking about this book and the importance of photojournalism - especially in a time like this one. I'm glad that I finally remembered and found the name of this book. When I was in high school, I randomly picked it up because it was one of those "featured" books that were placed on top of shelves. I never thought it would make such an impact on how I would think about historic events and photography. My favorite part about this book is how it had a blurb talking about the historical importance behind the photograph. Although the photos can stand by themselves, the context defined the relevant importance along with the lead-up and aftermath.
I can't wait to buy my own copy of this book!