Life Sixty Years: A 60th Anniversary Celebration 1936-1996

by LIFE (Editor)

In this sweeping look back at the people and events that have shaped America and the world, LIFE commemorates its 60th birthday as only the premier picture magazine can - with fabulous photographs. LIFE Sixty Years is a history of LIFE...and of life. Wars and wonders, entertainers and athletes, fads and fashions, Presidents and celebrations, disasters and discoveries - they're all here.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, History, Art

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Life was an American magazine published weekly from 1883 to 1972, as an intermittent "special" until 1978, and as a monthly from 1978 until 2000. During its golden age from 1936 to 1972, Life was a wide-ranging weekly general interest magazine known for the quality of its photography.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reviewing 2,100 issues from November 3, 1936, Life Magazine picked out the best pictures of sixty years to be included in this collection of images reminding us of the life once lived. Whether depicting war, celebrations, Hollywood, fashions, nature, protests, politicians, arts, and athletes, the photographs captured iconic and every day moments during these decades. Life was an a magazine published in the United States from 1883 to 2000 known for its photographs. Many of the images were remarkable and stunning such as Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. being booked in Montgomery, Alabama; New York City celebrating its 100th anniversary; the misty hills of the Yangtze river valley, and Mohammad Ali raising his fists. However, I felt that better or more impactful pictures could have been chosen for some of the selections and that editing improvements should have been made to enlarge both the magazine covers when there was plenty of room and the font size. 3.5 stars.

One of the photographs taken on March 1973 by Associate Press photographer Sal Veder won a Pulitzer Prize for the “Burst of Joy” when Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Stirm was reunited with his family after being held as a captive in Vietnam since 1967. I always thought this was such an amazing photo of love and happiness. In researching, I discovered that for Stirm it was bittersweet as his wife had already notified him that was leaving him and they divorced within the year. However, all four children have the picture hanging in their homes.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of photographs from the past, covering politics, war, celebrations, art and entertainment to name just a few.

[R. David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into the past. It would be nice if this magazine still published.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixty years of photographs 1936-1996

[Madame Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent chronicle of what LIFE Magazine covered in it s 60 years. A picture says a thousand words, and LIFE was king at flourishing those words.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading and seeing photos of the past.

[Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a nice collection of photos ... but the book itself is cheaply made and quickly started falling apart. It is not a book that people read through and dog-ear and drag around everywhere ... but the binding is loose and pages are falling out anyway!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cool pictures