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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This was an incredible book--I knew so little about photojournalism, its history, and the Spanish Civil War prior to reading this, and now I feel so much more knowledgeable and cultured! Robert Capa and Gerda Taro were the dream team of the photojournalism world--they weren't afraid to get dirty, to go right into the action, or to take risks. What they saw would leave them not shaking and traumatized, but ready for more. They wanted to show what was going on in Spain to the rest of the world, risks be damned.
Following both of their lives from before they met to after Taro's death, this biography is a perfect coffee-table YA nonfiction book filled with photographs, references, and an extensive timeline and bibliography. It's no wonder why this text won a YALSA award--it's absolutely incredible!
Perhaps my favorite parts of this book was when the authors gave us readers some more context as to what was going on. I'm not a big history buff myself, so having those few extra pages of explanation so as to why such current events were happening and what had caused them were so incredibly helpful. Overall, this is truly an informative, creative, and intriguing book just perfect for those interested in the history of photography or the Spanish Civil War.
Following both of their lives from before they met to after Taro's death, this biography is a perfect coffee-table YA nonfiction book filled with photographs, references, and an extensive timeline and bibliography. It's no wonder why this text won a YALSA award--it's absolutely incredible!
Perhaps my favorite parts of this book was when the authors gave us readers some more context as to what was going on. I'm not a big history buff myself, so having those few extra pages of explanation so as to why such current events were happening and what had caused them were so incredibly helpful. Overall, this is truly an informative, creative, and intriguing book just perfect for those interested in the history of photography or the Spanish Civil War.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible, both in subject and writing! I am a huge fan of the authors, but did not know much about the Spanish Civil War, except peripherally through other literature. Now I have a more complete understanding of its place in history and also of the history of war photography.
I could not put this book down, finished it in one day, and now have a reading list of reserves on the subject waiting at my public library.
Thanks to the authors for such an excellent, informative , and well written book!!
I could not put this book down, finished it in one day, and now have a reading list of reserves on the subject waiting at my public library.
Thanks to the authors for such an excellent, informative , and well written book!!
kristi_starr35's review against another edition
4.0
"This is what will distinguish [Capa's] work and that of his circle in the years to come. As big movements and big ideas sweep the streets, the entire continent of Europe, he homes in on what it means to be human during such momentous times. He is beginning to tell a story. A story in pictures" (p. 33).
Eyes of the World is several stories in one. It tells the story of the birth of modern photojournalism. It relates the romance of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, two young people caught in up changing times, inventing themselves as they go. It reveals events of the Spanish Revolution, a precursor to World War II. Each story was a fresh one for me.
While I have often admired photography, I had never given much thought to the development of the medium, particularly how it became an indispensable component of journalism. I love the images throughout the book. You cannot open to a two-page spread without finding at least one captivating image. If this is a book about photojournalism, you have to have photos. We find them in abundance.
Though some of the images on the pages were familiar, Capa's and Taro's names were not. The creativity and resilience they showed, the relationship between them, their competitiveness and fierce independence all factored into their development and success as photographers. What an amazing and inspired partnership. Also remarkable is how powerful Taro was. She developed her own style, her own perspective. This was an equal partnership.
Then there's the Spanish Civil War. I never really learned about it in school. Sure, I knew that Langston Hughes, George Orwell, and Ernest Hemmingway were each associated with that period, but this book shed a whole new light on the time of turmoil and the ensuing conflicts in Europe.
I would be remiss if I failed to address the remarkable extra material - the appendices, cast of characters (both individuals and groups), time line, and explanation of how the authors came to write the book.
And oh, the photographs! "Capa and Taro gave us a visual language for understanding the catastrophic changes, the disasters and tragedies, of the first half of the twentieth century. No one had seen anything like this, not brought back such a record of witnessing. ... These images have a way of piercing through the fog of rhetoric and cheery exhortations. ... They gave birth to the visual world we live in now" (p. 244).
Eyes of the World is several stories in one. It tells the story of the birth of modern photojournalism. It relates the romance of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, two young people caught in up changing times, inventing themselves as they go. It reveals events of the Spanish Revolution, a precursor to World War II. Each story was a fresh one for me.
While I have often admired photography, I had never given much thought to the development of the medium, particularly how it became an indispensable component of journalism. I love the images throughout the book. You cannot open to a two-page spread without finding at least one captivating image. If this is a book about photojournalism, you have to have photos. We find them in abundance.
Though some of the images on the pages were familiar, Capa's and Taro's names were not. The creativity and resilience they showed, the relationship between them, their competitiveness and fierce independence all factored into their development and success as photographers. What an amazing and inspired partnership. Also remarkable is how powerful Taro was. She developed her own style, her own perspective. This was an equal partnership.
Then there's the Spanish Civil War. I never really learned about it in school. Sure, I knew that Langston Hughes, George Orwell, and Ernest Hemmingway were each associated with that period, but this book shed a whole new light on the time of turmoil and the ensuing conflicts in Europe.
I would be remiss if I failed to address the remarkable extra material - the appendices, cast of characters (both individuals and groups), time line, and explanation of how the authors came to write the book.
And oh, the photographs! "Capa and Taro gave us a visual language for understanding the catastrophic changes, the disasters and tragedies, of the first half of the twentieth century. No one had seen anything like this, not brought back such a record of witnessing. ... These images have a way of piercing through the fog of rhetoric and cheery exhortations. ... They gave birth to the visual world we live in now" (p. 244).
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a fascinating topic for a YA nonfic, but man was it kind of boring. Like really boring. It hooked me with the prologue and then ended on a high note, but I felt like I was reading a history textbook. Great photographs though. I could have just looked at those with more detailed captions and been fine.
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book about this amazing couple. Includes many of their fantastic photographs.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent if not a bit too lengthy. The book with all of its b/w photos and heavy text is heavy in weight, too. Has a detailed appendix, epilogue, end notes, image credits. Students may not know much about the Spanish Civil War but will be interested in how photojournalism got started.
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
Robert and Cornell Capa (along with their mother) are buried in my Meeting's cemetery, and I've been involved in creating some signage explaining who they were and why they're there. So a book about him and his contribution to our understanding of war? Yes, please. The Spanish Civil War is one of those "I think I understand it... but it's incredibly confusing" events, and this book does a decent job of explaining the various factions and what happened. For that, two stars.
However the book itself? So problematic. Starting with, why present tense? It's an odd choice for non-fiction about the past. The framing device of D-Day doesn't work well and could easily have been done without (although the part about Capa's post-Spanish Civil War career needed to be told). Some people, like Capa's mentor, are paid short shrift, while others are hinted at (there's a couple mentioned on page 180 that are never named, but there's a hint that these are Important People). And Appendix C, the one with the comparison to the Syrian Civil War? My head hurt. There were other things that were problems that might be changed by publication, like failing to credit the photos on each page (were they Capas? Taros? someone else?). I could go on, but then I'd need another drink.
ARC provided by publisher.
However the book itself? So problematic. Starting with, why present tense? It's an odd choice for non-fiction about the past. The framing device of D-Day doesn't work well and could easily have been done without (although the part about Capa's post-Spanish Civil War career needed to be told). Some people, like Capa's mentor, are paid short shrift, while others are hinted at (there's a couple mentioned on page 180 that are never named, but there's a hint that these are Important People). And Appendix C, the one with the comparison to the Syrian Civil War? My head hurt. There were other things that were problems that might be changed by publication, like failing to credit the photos on each page (were they Capas? Taros? someone else?). I could go on, but then I'd need another drink.
ARC provided by publisher.
brandinh's review against another edition
4.0
Once again Aronson, this time in collaboration with his wife, has delivered a well-researched, engaging, and enlightening historical narrative. This title boasts an abundance of primary sources and a generous amount of back matter including a cast of characters, timeline, bibliography, and index. Highly recommended for middle and high school libraries.
stenaros's review against another edition
3.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
The story of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, this is a fine example of an exploration of how artists influence each other. It was a little slow, but ultimately rewarding. The photos, fonts and layouts are quite nice.
The story of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, this is a fine example of an exploration of how artists influence each other. It was a little slow, but ultimately rewarding. The photos, fonts and layouts are quite nice.