- Hardcover: 1224 pages
- Publisher: Phaidon Press Ltd; New edition edition (30 Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0714842796
- ISBN-13: 978-0714842790
- Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 13.5 x 6.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 94,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
A visual history of the 20th century, the photographs in this volume cover events which range from the hard history of politics to new inventions, the arts, society and fashion. The images have been drawn from international agencies such as Life, Magnum, Picture Post and Stern. The book is divided into six chronological sections corresponding to significant historical moments. Each section opens with a short historical overview which introduces the main concerns during the period covered. There is also a selection of quotations which capture the flavour of the period covered. There are extended captions at the end of each section providing historical information about each photograph.
About the Author
Bruce Bernard was a picture editor for over thirty years. He started in visual journalism for a part-work publication of Purnell's History of the Twentieth Century, of which he was Picture Editor between 1967 and 1970. He was Picture Editor of the Sunday Times Magazine from 1972 to 1980 and visual arts editor of the Saturday Independent Magazine for its first four years between 1988 and 1992. In 1996 he curated the exhibition 'All Human Life' at the Barbican Centre. He also curated a private collection for James Moores. His publications include Photodiscovery (Abrams, New York) or The Sunday Times Book of Photodiscovery (Thames & Hudson, London, 1980); Vincent by Himself (Orbis Publishing Ltd, London, 1985) and Lucien Freud (edit.) (Jonathan Cape, 1996). Century is the culmination of 30 years' experience. Bruce Bernard died in March 2000.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
By now you'll all have read the earlier reviews and will probably have made up your minds anyway. But if there's anything more that can be added, it is to say that this book will never provide an easy afternoon of mindless page turning - it will shock, stimulate, challenge and uplift in equal measure. Sure, the pictures aren't always of great quality (or always particularly interesting), nor are they perhaps the classic images that one might already associate with the century's biggest events. But they provoke reflection and thought.
I agree with other reviewers that the overall picture can appear bleak, but the occasional uplifting image should remind readers of some genuinely awe inspiring events in recent history and the individuals who helped to shape where we are now. Another reviewer mentioned keeping this book in their family for generations - I couldn't agree more. And the bleaker images are a reminder of what we can't afford to forget..."Those who do not learn from history...(etc)"
My only criticism is with the captions. There is clearly an agenda behind the overall commentary, with some questionable descriptors cropping up every now and then. But read beyond this and immerse yourself....And if you're looking for an ideal gift, buy this for someone you know, not as an easy purchase - pretty pictures - coffee table book.
Format:Hardcover
Format:Hardcover
Century is a clever little book. If you wanted to own just one book that told the story of the 20th Century, or showed the advance of photography in the space of 100 years - this would have to be at the top of the list.
The beauty of the book lies in the fact that it steers away from those iconic, over-familiar pictures that a more orthodox complilation would come up with. Instead, images here are pretty unknown - and they are all the more powerful for that.
The accompanying text (contained in separate sections so the flow of the pictures is unbroken) - is pithy and concise, and no mere after-thought to the photos that have been selected.
All in all - this book makes you wonder about life - the harshness, cruelty and beauty of being alive in a tumultuous century of change. It will make you think long after you put it down - how many other books do that?
The small version of the book packs as much punch as the original edition (which frankly is too heavy to look at on a regular basis!) - and at under £10 is ridiculously good value for money. Simply essential.
The beauty of the book lies in the fact that it steers away from those iconic, over-familiar pictures that a more orthodox complilation would come up with. Instead, images here are pretty unknown - and they are all the more powerful for that.
The accompanying text (contained in separate sections so the flow of the pictures is unbroken) - is pithy and concise, and no mere after-thought to the photos that have been selected.
All in all - this book makes you wonder about life - the harshness, cruelty and beauty of being alive in a tumultuous century of change. It will make you think long after you put it down - how many other books do that?
The small version of the book packs as much punch as the original edition (which frankly is too heavy to look at on a regular basis!) - and at under £10 is ridiculously good value for money. Simply essential.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
still waiting
The company has been very good with remaining in contact with me, always promptly replying to my emails but I'm afraid I can't really comment as I am still waiting to receive the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Brooky
A EXCELLENT BOOK...FOR EVERYONE
Although some feel this book is to heavy (eg above) it is a full review of the Century. Sure the century we lived through has not been all 'rosey', and this shows it, but it does... Read more
Published on 29 May 2003 by "sales2003"
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