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History as They Saw It: Iconic Moments from the Past in Color
Step into a time machine and witness some of the most significant events of the late 19th and early 20th century, brought to vivid life in full-color restorations of historic black-and-white photographs.
This revolutionary photography collection is as close to time travel as it gets. Featuring 120 historic black-and-white photographs thoroughly restored and rendered in color, this book illuminates some of the most iconic moments in history, from the sinking of the Titanic to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Brought to life with vibrant color, these incredible images effectively blur the distinction between past and present and bring history within arm's reach. With a timeline spanning more than 100 years, from 1839 to 1949, this unique collection will amaze history and photography buffs alike, offering new perspectives on significant moments of the 19th and 20th centuries.
MESMERIZING Presented in reverse chronological order, this enchanting book takes you back through time, one stunning colorized photograph at a time. The left margin of each spread features a map and a timeline showing when and where each image was taken, as well as quotes from the time period that also help bring each historical moment to life.
A WONDERFUL History as They Saw It is a surefire conversation starter and a unique gift for any occasion.
READERS LOVE With hundreds of 5-star ratings, reviewers rave that "this book changes how I see the past" and note that "the colorization by artist Jordan Lloyd is brilliant . . . and this presentation allows one to see the past much as one's ancestors did."
Perfect
This revolutionary photography collection is as close to time travel as it gets. Featuring 120 historic black-and-white photographs thoroughly restored and rendered in color, this book illuminates some of the most iconic moments in history, from the sinking of the Titanic to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Brought to life with vibrant color, these incredible images effectively blur the distinction between past and present and bring history within arm's reach. With a timeline spanning more than 100 years, from 1839 to 1949, this unique collection will amaze history and photography buffs alike, offering new perspectives on significant moments of the 19th and 20th centuries.
MESMERIZING Presented in reverse chronological order, this enchanting book takes you back through time, one stunning colorized photograph at a time. The left margin of each spread features a map and a timeline showing when and where each image was taken, as well as quotes from the time period that also help bring each historical moment to life.
A WONDERFUL History as They Saw It is a surefire conversation starter and a unique gift for any occasion.
READERS LOVE With hundreds of 5-star ratings, reviewers rave that "this book changes how I see the past" and note that "the colorization by artist Jordan Lloyd is brilliant . . . and this presentation allows one to see the past much as one's ancestors did."
Perfect
284 pages, Hardcover
Published August 14, 2018
63 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 17, 2022
I was intrigued to learn how this book came about as I was unfamiliar with Unbound, which was the brainchild of three writers. The idea is that writers share their ideas on the books they would like to write on the Unbound website and see if there is enough interest via pledges from subscribers to publish their book. Included at the back of this book, is a list of names of all the people that enabled it to be published.
I enjoyed learning about the reasoning behind image colorization. "When we see an old black-and white photograph, it tends to fit with the way we think the past was." However, this is not true, life was lived in full color, however until the 1950s the majority of photographs were in black-and-white. This was due to the process of developing technical equipment to that could take color photographs and the gradual adoption of new equipment into general society.
The photographs in this book have been exquisitely colorized and are lovely to behold. They have been beautifully curated along with interesting information and quotes. My favorites are the 1900s: Ellis Island immigrants, what a difference color makes! The colorized versions appear on page 130 and the original sepia tone ones on page 232, so you can see the difference. Another favorite is July 1939: Country store on dirt road, Sunday afternoon.
Other photographs that grabbed my attention were the ones of iconic buildings or bridges under construction such as: The Golden Gate Bridge in 1934, The Flatiron Building, NY in 1902, Tower Bridge, London, UK in 1889, Eiffel Tower, Paris, France in 1888, The bell tower of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Paris, France in the 1880s.
Finally, a fun photograph that made me smile: Alexander Graham Bell kissing his wife, Mabel Hubbard Gardiner Bell, who is standing in a tetrahedral kite on October 16, 1903.
I enjoyed learning about the reasoning behind image colorization. "When we see an old black-and white photograph, it tends to fit with the way we think the past was." However, this is not true, life was lived in full color, however until the 1950s the majority of photographs were in black-and-white. This was due to the process of developing technical equipment to that could take color photographs and the gradual adoption of new equipment into general society.
The photographs in this book have been exquisitely colorized and are lovely to behold. They have been beautifully curated along with interesting information and quotes. My favorites are the 1900s: Ellis Island immigrants, what a difference color makes! The colorized versions appear on page 130 and the original sepia tone ones on page 232, so you can see the difference. Another favorite is July 1939: Country store on dirt road, Sunday afternoon.
Other photographs that grabbed my attention were the ones of iconic buildings or bridges under construction such as: The Golden Gate Bridge in 1934, The Flatiron Building, NY in 1902, Tower Bridge, London, UK in 1889, Eiffel Tower, Paris, France in 1888, The bell tower of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Paris, France in the 1880s.
Finally, a fun photograph that made me smile: Alexander Graham Bell kissing his wife, Mabel Hubbard Gardiner Bell, who is standing in a tetrahedral kite on October 16, 1903.
August 2, 2019
So, crazy thing happened during my most recent visit to London...my family and I just happened to sit down next to Jordan J. Lloyd at a pub. He was one and we were 6 and the pub was small so we asked if we could share his table. Long story short, a fabulous, fascinating, and fantastic conversation ensued. We talked about everything from science fiction to Kurasawa films to the movie Commando to roller derby. When I mentioned why we were in Europe, things got even crazier because that is when we learned the Jordan does old photo colorization for a living. So, once back in the States, the first thing I did was order this book so I could check out J's "street creds" and what I've learned is they are legit. 😊 The range of photographs chosen for this book is amazing and the photos themselves are fascinating. While there were a few that I thought were aesthetically better in black and white, all of the chosen photos reveal some detail that gets lost in the monochrome of B&W. Just the image of a young Abe Lincoln made my mom and I gasp. To see this iconic American President in color does make him seem more "real." My recommendation is to study the color image and then review the original image that is included in the back of the book. Oftentimes, subtle items or lighting that you missed is revealed by Jordan in those notes by the original images. I am truly amazed at his perception of detail and his colorization skill. The book is a beautiful coffee table book that I will be happy to display on a coffee table in my home.
November 12, 2022
4.5/5 - A very cool journey from 1949 back to 1839. I found myself on Wikipedia multiple times learning more about what was showcased. The section at the end of the book in which Jordan provides insight into the research and process of colorizing each photo was particularly interesting. The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is because I found the photos selected to be rather US & UK-centric.
For those who are curious, my top three photographs in the book are: Ice grotto entrance (1911), Country store on dirt road (1939), and Sakura cherry blossom (1925).
For those who are curious, my top three photographs in the book are: Ice grotto entrance (1911), Country store on dirt road (1939), and Sakura cherry blossom (1925).
January 24, 2019
This book is everything I've ever wanted and it wouldn't have even been on my radar if it wasn't for my mom, who has been finding all the best new books for me since I was zero years old (and usually
light-years before I even know they exist).
light-years before I even know they exist).
December 4, 2018
I received this book through Library Thing Early Reviewers. It contains many incredible photos from throughout international history. The black and white originals are interesting but, restored and rendered in suitable hues for the time and place, they are absolutely stunning. Background information is brief and interesting and some images are accompanied by quotes from writings of the time. My only quibble with the book is that the text containing the descriptions is a light gray in a very thin font and might be difficult for some eyes to read.
October 5, 2021
I would have been annoyed if I had bought this book. There are not a lot of photographs and many of them I've seen before. They are all colorized, but the black and white originals are included. What's here is great, but it's not much of a collection.
March 19, 2025
Have you ever looked at an old black-and-white photograph and felt like the people in it were from another world? There’s something about those faded, colorless images that creates a sense of distance. The people in them don’t feel quite real—more like statues from a history book than actual human beings who laughed, cried, and went about their daily lives. It’s as if the lack of color strips away their energy, leaving them as frozen relics of a time we can barely grasp.
That’s exactly why this book is such a fascinating book. From the moment I flipped through the pages, I was struck by how alive these historical moments felt. The authors have taken old black-and-white images and, with incredible attention to detail, brought them back to life with color. The result is almost startling. Seeing famous figures and pivotal moments in full color makes them feel so much more immediate, like they could have happened just yesterday.
It’s one thing to read about history or see it in monochrome, but it’s another to look into the eyes of someone from a century ago and see the color of their skin, the warmth of their expression, and the richness of their surroundings. Suddenly, these aren’t just distant historical figures—they’re real people. The effect is particularly striking with well-known faces. The people and places take on a new dimension. They feel tangible in a way that’s hard to describe, and it completely changes the way you think about them.
But this book isn’t just about the famous names of history. Some of the most powerful images are of everyday people—factory workers, soldiers, street performers, or children playing in the early 20th century. These images, in color, carry a sense of warmth and familiarity that’s often lost in old photographs. Instead of feeling like snapshots from a distant era, they feel like moments you could have witnessed yourself. That’s what makes this book so special—it collapses the gap between past and present.
Another thing I really appreciated is that this book isn’t just a collection of colorized photographs thrown together for visual appeal. Each image is accompanied by a well-written, concise explanation that provides just enough historical context without bogging you down in details. The authors strike a great balance between storytelling and imagery, giving you enough background to understand why each moment matters while letting the photographs speak for themselves.
The colorization work itself is exceptional. There’s a fine line between enhancing an image and making it look artificial, and this book gets it just right. The colors are rich but natural, and they never feel forced or overdone. It’s clear that a lot of research and care went into making sure the colors reflect reality as closely as possible. The result is an incredibly immersive experience that draws you in with every page turn.
It’s one of those books you’ll want to flip through again and again, finding new details each time. Whether you’re a history buff or just someone who appreciates stunning photography, this book is one that’s really worth spending time with. It’s a reminder that the past isn’t as far away as we often think—it’s just waiting to be seen in a new light.
That’s exactly why this book is such a fascinating book. From the moment I flipped through the pages, I was struck by how alive these historical moments felt. The authors have taken old black-and-white images and, with incredible attention to detail, brought them back to life with color. The result is almost startling. Seeing famous figures and pivotal moments in full color makes them feel so much more immediate, like they could have happened just yesterday.
It’s one thing to read about history or see it in monochrome, but it’s another to look into the eyes of someone from a century ago and see the color of their skin, the warmth of their expression, and the richness of their surroundings. Suddenly, these aren’t just distant historical figures—they’re real people. The effect is particularly striking with well-known faces. The people and places take on a new dimension. They feel tangible in a way that’s hard to describe, and it completely changes the way you think about them.
But this book isn’t just about the famous names of history. Some of the most powerful images are of everyday people—factory workers, soldiers, street performers, or children playing in the early 20th century. These images, in color, carry a sense of warmth and familiarity that’s often lost in old photographs. Instead of feeling like snapshots from a distant era, they feel like moments you could have witnessed yourself. That’s what makes this book so special—it collapses the gap between past and present.
Another thing I really appreciated is that this book isn’t just a collection of colorized photographs thrown together for visual appeal. Each image is accompanied by a well-written, concise explanation that provides just enough historical context without bogging you down in details. The authors strike a great balance between storytelling and imagery, giving you enough background to understand why each moment matters while letting the photographs speak for themselves.
The colorization work itself is exceptional. There’s a fine line between enhancing an image and making it look artificial, and this book gets it just right. The colors are rich but natural, and they never feel forced or overdone. It’s clear that a lot of research and care went into making sure the colors reflect reality as closely as possible. The result is an incredibly immersive experience that draws you in with every page turn.
It’s one of those books you’ll want to flip through again and again, finding new details each time. Whether you’re a history buff or just someone who appreciates stunning photography, this book is one that’s really worth spending time with. It’s a reminder that the past isn’t as far away as we often think—it’s just waiting to be seen in a new light.
February 13, 2019
I do love coffee table books. I love them for their illustrations and for their view of the world. I love how some of them are themed and how some of them have no great purpose at all but to bring enjoyment to the reader. They are like a magnet, I am drawn to them, no matter their size and I could spend hours just thumbing through their pages, staring at their illustrations and/or reading their words.
I just wanted to see what this book entailed so I stood standing thumbing through its pages but slowing I began pulling out a chair, and that preview lasted over an hour. I was pulled in as this book was fantastic. It covered a lot of territory and these photographs were incredible. I loved how each two-page spread featured an original black-n-white photograph from the past. Some of these photographs I was familiar with and some were new to me. I knew I would have to come back later and really spend some time with this book.
Wolfgang and Jordan created this book by adding color to some iconic photographs, creating visuals of what this time in history might have actually looked like. What I found interesting is the shading and the tints of the colors used. Jordan took great care in getting the details in each picture down to an exact element and I feel that he did an excellent job.
Along with their photograph, they’ve included details about the original artwork and a map of world which highlights where the photograph was taken. I thought this information was very valuable, insightful and it was fun to read. The authors also included with each photograph an additional original comment, a speech, or some of other written material that pertained to the event in the photograph. It made the photograph personable.
The photographs covered a lot of history and a large number of places, which I thought was great. Beginning in 1839 and ending in 1949. The authors provide for us in the back of this book, a copy of each original photograph, chronically listed, that they used and they explain a bit more about each of these photographs (interesting stuff). An index and table of contents complete this book.
Wow, I truly love this book. I am putting this on my list of books to buy.
I just wanted to see what this book entailed so I stood standing thumbing through its pages but slowing I began pulling out a chair, and that preview lasted over an hour. I was pulled in as this book was fantastic. It covered a lot of territory and these photographs were incredible. I loved how each two-page spread featured an original black-n-white photograph from the past. Some of these photographs I was familiar with and some were new to me. I knew I would have to come back later and really spend some time with this book.
Wolfgang and Jordan created this book by adding color to some iconic photographs, creating visuals of what this time in history might have actually looked like. What I found interesting is the shading and the tints of the colors used. Jordan took great care in getting the details in each picture down to an exact element and I feel that he did an excellent job.
Along with their photograph, they’ve included details about the original artwork and a map of world which highlights where the photograph was taken. I thought this information was very valuable, insightful and it was fun to read. The authors also included with each photograph an additional original comment, a speech, or some of other written material that pertained to the event in the photograph. It made the photograph personable.
The photographs covered a lot of history and a large number of places, which I thought was great. Beginning in 1839 and ending in 1949. The authors provide for us in the back of this book, a copy of each original photograph, chronically listed, that they used and they explain a bit more about each of these photographs (interesting stuff). An index and table of contents complete this book.
Wow, I truly love this book. I am putting this on my list of books to buy.
February 16, 2020
History As They Saw It is a history/photography book that captures nearly a century of events through never-before-seen, colorized photography. These events are told in reverse-chronological order, which is interesting because it gives me a sense of going back in time. The book includes myriads of events that have happened during the last century, from The Second World War to the sinking of the Titanic to the first construction of Eiffel tower down until the very first ever selfie captured by a person (he wouldn't get many likes on Instagram today, of course). I've only seen or heard a few of these photographs, but the rest of them is something of a hidden gem, which I'm glad to have discovered these.
What I like, aside from the amazing photographs, is the story behind it. The story is truly captivating and it compliments the photographs perfectly. I love that the author provides the reader with the "why" and "how" behind every photograph. To top it all of, the author even includes a specific quote during that time period. Oh, and the writing's really easy to digest.
However, the book only captures events and stories that happened in the west (e,g. the USA or U.K). It would be awesome to hear more stories on the other side of the world. Other than that, I love the rest.
In conclusion, History As They Saw It invites the reader to discover historical events & other hidden gems through amazing photography. It's not just for a regular photography fan—It's for those of you who need a break after reading a 500-page book. It's for those of you who crave history and storytelling at the same time. I think that even the laziest reader will find this book captivating.
What I like, aside from the amazing photographs, is the story behind it. The story is truly captivating and it compliments the photographs perfectly. I love that the author provides the reader with the "why" and "how" behind every photograph. To top it all of, the author even includes a specific quote during that time period. Oh, and the writing's really easy to digest.
However, the book only captures events and stories that happened in the west (e,g. the USA or U.K). It would be awesome to hear more stories on the other side of the world. Other than that, I love the rest.
In conclusion, History As They Saw It invites the reader to discover historical events & other hidden gems through amazing photography. It's not just for a regular photography fan—It's for those of you who need a break after reading a 500-page book. It's for those of you who crave history and storytelling at the same time. I think that even the laziest reader will find this book captivating.
March 22, 2019
This fascinating book presents colorized versions of black and white photos. Some of them are highly recognizable, but most of them are obscure. I enjoyed reading this, and when my younger sister passed by, I showed her some pages that I thought would interest her. When I was finished, she took the book to her room, flipped through the whole thing, and reported, "I saw a real-life Rapunzel, a real-life Mulan, and the real Alice in Wonderland! Also Lincoln without a beard." That illustrates the range of this book so well. Among pictures of architectural features and historical events, this book includes a picture of a Victorian lady with her hair down to the floor, a portrait of a female samurai, and pictures of known historical figures such as Alice Liddell and Abraham Lincoln. This is such an interesting book, and I appreciate how the pictures range over many different time periods, locations, topics, and degrees of contemporary awareness.
July 23, 2020
Fascinating. Jordan Lloyd takes old black-and-white photographs and colorizes them, with careful research into the locations, fashions, and automobiles. Photos of well-known and unknown events and people. They are organized in reverse chronological order, starting in 1949 and ending in 1839 with the first known self-portrait. We have Nazis, Civil War veterans, the first Miss America, Stonehenge, Dorothea Lange's migrant mother, Emmeline Pankhurst, Abraham Lincoln, Alice Liddell, and many more. Things I didn't know existed: sound amplifiers that look like giant ear trumpets, a punt gun used to shoot down flocks of birds looks like a very oversized rifle propped on somebody else's shoulder. There's one gatefold of San Francisco in ruins after the 1906 earthquake. At the back they show the original black-and-white photos with some commentary of what they had to do to spruce them up and colorize them.
Highly recommended for fans of history and photography.
Highly recommended for fans of history and photography.
May 16, 2019
I was excited to receive this book and wasn't disappointed. It was amazing seeing many famous and otherwise interesting photographs in living color. My only suggestion (and maybe another book is in the works) is to use more familiar photos, more familiar to American audiences at least. There are thousands, maybe millions of photos available for some of the neglected areas (e.g., politics, sports.)
A couple of things I didn't like were the B&W source photos all placed at the end of the book rather than adjoining the color photos. It seemed like there was plenty of space to include the B&W photos adjacent. Also, some of the photos were so dark that even colorizing them didn't make them interesting (e.g., the British recruiting officers standing outside the recruiting office.) All in all, a very enjoyable book with, to me, just a few minor glitches.
A couple of things I didn't like were the B&W source photos all placed at the end of the book rather than adjoining the color photos. It seemed like there was plenty of space to include the B&W photos adjacent. Also, some of the photos were so dark that even colorizing them didn't make them interesting (e.g., the British recruiting officers standing outside the recruiting office.) All in all, a very enjoyable book with, to me, just a few minor glitches.
July 29, 2018
The restoration and coloring of these photos is nothing short of breathtaking. There is new detail to be noticed in almost every picture. Especially the Dorothea Lange photo's. And the portraits of Lincoln and Jesse James. I could go on, at length, suffice to say this is a volume that should be on every history and/or photography lovers list.
October 22, 2018
"Step into the time machine"
An open window to another time and place. As I am from Brazil, for me is even more interesting because I was not only seeing for the first time those pictures but also learning new historic facts, as I had to search to understand the backgrounds of those marvelous colored pictures.
Amazing work.
An open window to another time and place. As I am from Brazil, for me is even more interesting because I was not only seeing for the first time those pictures but also learning new historic facts, as I had to search to understand the backgrounds of those marvelous colored pictures.
Amazing work.
January 5, 2019
The quality of the photographs in this book are absolutely amazing. It's honestly astounding to think that the majority of these pictures are almost a hundred years old.
My only criticism is that I would have liked more landscapes/location photos and less portraits. Way too many portraits for my taste.
My only criticism is that I would have liked more landscapes/location photos and less portraits. Way too many portraits for my taste.
August 15, 2022
Love love loved this coffee table book! The colorized photos were familiar and fascinating. I will continue to glance at this book over and over as I always miss a little something and enjoy it every time. Very nice job, Wild&Lloyd.
August 31, 2023
This is a great collection of photographs. I was impressed with the care that was taken in the research of each photo to ensure that it looked as close to what it would have looked like in the moment it was taken.
September 20, 2018
Photographs that were originally in black and white are presented in color. There are interesting stories and facts that accompany each page.
November 27, 2018
Amazing work! I loved the fact that they spent so much time looking for similar picture angles in order to get the color right.
February 4, 2019
Great slices of history
February 17, 2019
This is nice to have as a coffee table book. Excellent photos for the past 150 years
May 8, 2019
Another book of colorizing old photographs
May 7, 2020
Great
I can't believe the photos in this book. You find yourself being drawn into the various worlds represented by these pictures,brilliant
I can't believe the photos in this book. You find yourself being drawn into the various worlds represented by these pictures,brilliant
June 15, 2021
Loved looking at all the colorized photos, made it seem much more real.
February 3, 2022
It was really interesting to see the old photos in actual color. The author did a great and meticulous job.
May 1, 2022
I’d say a solid 1/3 of these are amazing, so that’ll do.
February 10, 2023
INCREDIBLE! Time Traveling bliss of iconic moments, places, and innovation throughout history
January 6, 2025
Colorisation quality is above average. That means only sometimes actually convincing. (I find quality of most attempts on the internet rather abysmal). But still it was fun.
April 26, 2025
4 - very interesting photos/stories from the past
October 3, 2025
The photography was amazing! Crazy what they can do with black and white photos now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews