2 comments about Silver Cities: Photographing American Urbanization, 18391939.

1. "One may view this book as a study of American attitudes toward the city as revealed in one of its most important media or as an ongoing history of an urban art form," writes Hale, a professor of art history and director of the American Studies Institute at the U. of Illinois - Chicago. The nearly 250 photographs relating to American cities from the pre-Civil War decades to the eve of WWII are roughly divided into the four stages development, maturity, transformation, and diffusion. Earliest photographs from the 1830s and '40s capture plainly the crude, clustered buildings sprouting up in open spaces, as in uncomprehending witness to what was unfolding. Photographs from the latter 1800s reach into the impoverished, fragile, hectic lives of immigrants flooding into the cities. Jacob Riis's photographs figure prominently in this period. Into the 20th century, the photographs again change in subjects and perspectives to go along with modernism's tenets of Promethean, prodigious, growth, large-scale enterprises, and celebration of technology and design. Springing from the "discipline [of] American cultural history," this revised and expanded edition of the 1884 publication not only contains additional photographs, but also related added text reflecting the growth of government sponsorship, mass-market reproduction, the place of women and African-Americans, and the diminished presence of "individual studio practice." Yet despite this last new topic, Hale also in one part brings out the "photographic studio as itself [in italics in original] a part of the developing American urban fabric." Like the earlier edition which has now become a collector's item, this revised edition is patently the leading study on photography as it took cities as subjects and reflected evolving attitudes toward them.



2. Students and enthusiasts of photography and its history have long considered Peter Bacon Hales's SILVER CITIES indispensable. First released in 1984, it was one of the first, most readable, and most visually interesting, of a crop of new histories of photography that saw the medium as part of a larger sphere of cultural history. This new edition is really welcome-- much longer, even more lavishly illustrated, dramatically revised, beautifully redesigned. Hales has incorporated many of the ideas and discoveries of writers since the book was first published; he has added many new illustrations and changed the old ones, and he has pushed the book well into the 20th century, treating photographers like Walker Evans, James VanderZee, and Edward Steichen. The writing is better, too-- more conversational and fluid, easier to read. If you have a copy of the old SILVER CITIES, you'll have to buy this one, too. If you don't, this is a real eye-opener of a book.

5 comments about Rand McNally 2007 The Road Atlas & Travel Guide: U.S. / Canada / Mexico (Rand Mcnally Road Atlas and Travel Guide: United States, Canada, Mexico).

1. Is good map. I visit States from Norway now and driving on road trip. Shows good things to do off track; not crowded. I go to some, they very good places to see. Is nice they have this feature showing attractions, not just a map.



2. I wanted map detail and a spiral bound book. I will eliminate the Travel Guide section as it adds too much weight and isn't needed. Very pleased with the purchase.



3. I was planning on driving across the county and have found this collection of maps useful before I bought the high quality edition. It turned out to be big, heavy and awkward to use. I finally decided to take it apart and take only the pages I needed. I challenge you to pick this up at arms length from the back seat. Beware of putting you wife's eye out.



4. Great atlas. Has campsites and some topography, but is lacking one major road in Alaska. I would get a supplemental map if you plan on going there.



5. The new Rand McNally Road Atlas gives me all the information I need to drive from one place to another. As a matter of fact, there are roads shown in the Atlas which are not shown on other maps or even on the AAA Trip-Tiks. I actually contacted Rand McNally to make sure that the road shown on the map actually existed and was passable, and the lady I spoke with gave me details about what the street name was, and how that street name changed 3 times when you travel the road. I certainly didn't expect that kind of excellent service, but I got it. And knowing about the road, cuts about 50 miles off my trip.
   
   The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I feel there is too much information in the Atlas, other than road maps. So, it is a larger document than I feel it needs to be.
   
   The ring binding is a real plus too, as it makes the Atlas simpler to use.

No comments about Tidepools Southern California: An Illustrated Guide to 100 Locations from Point Conception to Mexico.

No comments about The Rocky Point Gringo Guide : A Travel Guide to Puerto Penasco Mexico.

No comments about Majestic Journey: Coronado's Inland Empire.

No comments about Frommer's Adventure Guides--Central America, 1st Edition (Frommer Other).

No comments about Mexico: guia de sitios arqueologicos (Nueva edicion) (Artes Visuales).

1 comments about Let's Go Mexico 2002.

1. This is a gem of a book. I must admit it's my first travel book I've ever bought. Normaly on my travels along with my duffel bag I only bring a map. I can't say how much invaluable info is crammed into this book. The authors give every kind of advise that a traveller should know. Like on a bus trip one should take a bottle of water & a roll of toilet paper. I bring a 6 pack and a pint instead. And when the need comes I just roll down the window & let it out. Regarding cheap housing I disagree with the authors. The best & cheapest rooms are those in the red light zone. This book gives a good flavor of Mexico. It lets the reader be a real mucho maucho Mexicano before ever stepping across the border. As for the best spot to head for again I must disagree with the authors. Skip Mexico City and head straight for Tampico. This town has everything: good food, cheap rooms, fast women and lots and lots of bars. Mention my name at the Culo Cantina & they'll fix you right.

2 comments about The Lightning Field: Travels in and Around New Mexico.

1. The true excitement of New Mexico is not the cities and hotels, which can be found elsewhere, but the unique way in which humanity, now and throughout a colorful history, has lived in and died in and related to the strikingly beautiful geography of New Mexico. Drive past the new suburbs of Albuquerque and you are suddenly confronted by the overwhelming presence of nature. This is both wonderful and scary (to a city slicker). If God were anywhere, he'd be here, and you'd probably feel like striking up a conversation. Robert Eaton has lived in the Southwest for many years, and has worked in such strikingly amazing places as Chaco Canyon. His book is an entertaining series of his personal experiences, each in a unique setting in the far reaches of New Mexico. Each experience is also an encounter with one or more colorful characters, including many native Americans, religious seekers, and loner forest rangers, not to mention rattlers, coyotes, and eagles. But place never leaves center stage for long. In fact, it is the interaction of people and place that Mr. Eaton captures with great precision and poetry. This book does not recommend hotels, restaurants, or other trappings of the comfortable life. Other books can do that. Instead, Robert Eaton shares his discoveries, collected over many years, so that we may gain a better sense of what makes New Mexico truly unique, not what makes it more of the same. If you have been to the places Eaton characterizes, as I have to some, you get to experience them again in a well-written account, even with a new richness. The adventurers among you will feel the rising urge to go and see these places first hand. (That is certainly the effect Mr. Eaton's book has had on me.) Those who prefer to experience these places in your mind's eye from the comfort and security of your plush reading chair will find that this book goes well with a glowing fire, warm dog, and perhaps a glass of Merlot.



2. i had to read this book for school... it was horrible. I dont think ive ever been so bored in my life. Who cares about lightening rods sticking out of the ground in new mexico? I dont... save yourself the time, money, and boredom... read something else!

No comments about Southern Lighthouses: Chesapeake Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.