The first comprehensive consideration of Life magazine’s groundbreaking and influential contribution to the history of photography

From the Great Depression to the Vietnam War, the vast majority of the photographs printed and consumed in the United States appeared on the pages of illustrated magazines. Offering an in-depth look at the photography featured in Life magazine throughout its weekly run from 1936 to 1972, this volume examines how the magazine’s use of images fundamentally shaped the modern idea of photography in the United States. The work of photographers both celebrated and overlooked—including Margaret Bourke-White, Larry Burrows, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Frank Dandridge, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Fritz Goro, Gordon Parks, and W. Eugene Smith—is explored in the context of the creative and editorial structures at Life. Contributions from 25 scholars in a range of fields, from art history to American studies, provide insights into how the photographs published in Life—used to promote a predominately white, middle-class perspective—came to play a role in cultural dialogues in the United States around war, race, technology, art, and national identity.

Drawing on unprecedented access to Life magazine’s picture and paper archives, as well as photographers’ archives, this generously illustrated volume presents previously unpublished materials, such as caption files, contact sheets, and shooting scripts, that shed new light on the collaborative process behind many now-iconic images and photo-essays.

This book is an easy read with a powerful message. I recommend this book to all church members as a discipleship guide or just a simple reminder of how we should treat the pastor God gave his church. -- Rob Hunt, Deacon, Song Director, Master Club Director of Lighthouse Baptist Church. Evangelist Hill has written a book that should have been written many years ago. This book will help the average church member to know how to treat and love their pastor. If every church member would read this book, and apply what they have read, then the pastor's job would become less difficult. This is a must read for today's church members. -- Pastor Joe D. Stallings. This book is an excellent, thought-provoking guide for every church member who says they love their pastor. It is a well written, enjoyable read. I highly recommend it and think it should be read by all. I also suggest it as good discussion material to share at home with family members. -- Brother Richard Loveless, Sunday School Teacher, Greater Point Baptist Church. "Dr. Robertson, what is it that my pastor needs from me more than anything else?" I asked Dr. Lee Roberson as we walked down the hallway. Without hesitation, he replied, "Encouragement Encouragement is what your pastor needs from you more than any other thing." Evangelist Jason Hill has written a book full of instruction, helps, and ideas for encouraging your pastor. If every church member would put into practice the principles put forth in this book, Loving Your Pastor, our churches in America would be strengthened and revitalized as God's people encourage their pastors. I recommend that every church member read this book and put into practice Loving Your Pastor. -- Dr. Bill McSpadden, Pastor

Let me say a few words about who should really take credit for this book and the two volumes that will soon follow it. It all began over twenty five years ago when I was looking for some way to enhance my radio show which I called Life in the Past Lane. At the time I was doing much the same thing that many others have done. I was simply replaying radio shows of the past and talking about them. I got to thinking about the many performers and technicians who made them and were still around at that time. Why not call them up, talk with them and then play the results on the air? To make a long story short, I developed a sort of Hollywood and New York underground and managed to get access to some hard to come by phone numbers. Much to my surprise, those folks were all more than willing to talk at length about their careers and their lives. It went so well that I decided to expand the project and include theatre, movies, early television and some fine musicians. The end result was that, over a two year span I was able to record over eighty extensive interviews with some of the people who made media history. Therefore-they are the ones who wrote this book. All I did was pull it together.