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As the child of the old south, Estelle Ford-Williamson transported me back to my roots. I felt she was writing about my family and their early 19th century journey from South Carolina and Georgia. There is mystery in the uprooting of the young Morgan family from their home in Abbeville, the adventure of the overland migration to Marthasville (present-day Atlanta), the human and personal struggle of building a new life for the family in this raw frontier city and, once settled and successful, the need to move again. Time and the times play their part in the story as children grow and personal perspectives change. And as you turned the pages of Estelle's great story, you find the growing social issue of slavery festering. In many ways the message of the book mirrors a struggle of any age - personal morality versus accepted community standards.
There is a villain in the story, but he is more a prop than a player. The real story is family and family relationship. The Morgans are good people and, if you end up judging one right and another wrong, you miss the essence of plot. I closed the book with a smile and promise. I will re-read this book. Re-reading books is something I seldom do and only on those rare occasions when they have had the ability to touch me deeply.
Estelle's writing style is open and honest. I feel she is talking to me. Her words flow easily off the pages of her book. Her character development is strong and her ability to build emotion and create rich drama is superb.
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Before going further, let me caution those who are offended by all forms of nudity that this book contains many female nudes. These are all tastefully done, and will not offend those who look with a desire to see the essence of beauty.
Alfred Stieglitz was a seminal figure in 20th century art. One of the foremost photographers in the century, he also helped other photographers define what the aesthetic means in photography. He also was a champion for many of the best known photographers, and seriously boosted their careers. In painting, he was an early advocate of important 20th century artists like Arthur Dove and Georgia O'Keeffe. In addition, he published two influential journals about photography, and exhibited art in his famous gallery in New York. Clearly, though, photography was his first love. "I have all but killed myself for Photography."
This book focuses on his central vision of photography ("search for objective truth and pure form") which increasingly was about "antiphotographs" or images that move beyond simple representation. This concept is examined both in 73 of his best images and through numerous excerpts from his voluminous writings on the subject (over 200 essays).
This book is based on the famous 1983 show of Stieglitz's work, and has been reproduced with amazing care and quality. The images are produced in tritone to give more texture and detail. The paper is of archival quality. Most people's diplomas are not on paper this good or this thick. There is a luxurious feeling to just hold the pages.
The 73 images were selected by Ms. O'Keeffe, Juan Hamilton (her friend and assistant), and curator Sarah Grenough from approximately 1600 images in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ms. Grenough selected the writings to be used, and wrote the wonderful introduction.
From looking at these remarkable images, I came away with the impression that Stieglitz was at his best (for my taste) when he was doing portraits, abstractions, and cityscapes. Those subjects seemed to allow him to strip away the unessential better than the others he used. My favorite images in the book are:
Sun Rays -- Paula, Berlin, 1889
From the Back-Window -- 291, 1915 Self-Portrait, 1907
Marie Rapp, 1916
Arthur G. Dove, 1911-1912
Charles Demuth, 1915
Hodge Kirnon, 1917
Marcel Duchamp, 1923
Georgia O'Keeffe, 1918 (3)
Margaret Treadwell, 1921
Waldo Frank, 1920
Dancing Trees, 1922
Music -- A Sequence of Ten Cloud Photographs, VIII, 1922
Equivalent, 1931
His writings are as rewarding as his photographs. I was particularly interested in his ideas about how humans make progress. "Progress has been accomplished only by reason of the fanatical enthusiasm of the revolutionist . . . ." "Experts . . . are the result of hard work."
After you have finished enjoying this astonishingly revealing volume, I suggest that you think about how you like to express truth and beauty in your life. How can you be more direct and simple in this expression?
Be sure to live a life of "constant experimenting" like Stieglitz did!
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Throughout, Fowler concentrates on Southern traditional ways, always aiming for the authentic touch to his dishes and methods of preparation. Consequently, even though this book is mainly about vegetable dishes, prepared Southern-style, it is by no means a vegetarian cookbook. Traditional Southern pork dripping or ham, as well as seafood features prominently throughout the book. Nevertheless, Fowler remains sensitive to the fact that its title and subject matter may well draw the attention of those seeking vegetarian recipes and so he thoughtfully (and tastefully!) provides true vegetarian (and even vegan) alternatives wherever possible. While these may not be totally true to their origins, the results are every bit as tasty.
My copy of this book was given to me by my wife, as a memento of our first trip to Atlanta. Even though some of the ingredients are a little hard to come by the UK, it has nevertheless come to be one of my favourite sources of inspiration in the kitchen. And it is a wonderfully mouth-watering way to be reminded of the hospitality the Southern States!
If you grew up in the South and/or (like me) had a Southern mother or grandmother who cooked lots of seasonal vegetables. This book is chock full of recipes and memories.
I have tried about 2/3 of the recipes so far and I haven't found one that I disliked.
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PS. Since Miss Sibley is not here to tell you new iron skillet owners this, I will tell you. Do not wash it with soap ever, after you have seasoned it.. Use a brush and really hot water. A good way to season an iron skillet at first is to fry a large amount of potatoes in it. That way you season the skillet and get something good to eat at the same time!! :)
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