Portraits of America Book

Whether exploring the reclusive communities of the Amish and Hutterites, probing the gritty existence of the American cowboy, or revealing the quiet beauty of the Minnesota lakes, William Albert Allard has helped define America in all its diversity. From rodeos to blues singers, from William Faulkner’s Mississippi to minor league baseball, Allard has turned his camera toward parts of our heritage that are often overlooked. His other award-winning books include The Vanishing Breed and A Time We Knew.

Portraits of America features 165 of Allard’s finest photographs. Presented in chronological order, with incisive introductions to each section written by Allard himself, these photographs show the creative development of a remarkably gifted artist.

Pulitzer Prize­winning author Richard Ford contributes a foreword that places Allard’s photography within the context of the American experience. Art aficionados and lovers of Americana alike delight in this beautifully designed and thoughtful collection from a man who has become a legend in the world photographic community.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Library Journal

In this career-spanning collection of photographs, National Geographic photojournalist Allard presents a beautiful cross-section of America over nearly 40 years. Beginning his career with photos of Amish life in Lancaster County, PA, he continues with pictures of the elusive Hutterites (a small Amish-like sect in Montana), life in the West, the highest and lowest classes in the Deep South, the lakes of Minnesota, and American rodeo culture. The high points of the photographic journey, however, are photo essays of minor league baseball and blues culture in Chicago, New Orleans, and Mississippi. Included are great character studies along with sweeping landscape shots and eye-catching photographs of people in action. This book is an outstanding look at life in American subcultures in the mid- to late 20th century and is recommended for all libraries. Mark Bay, Hagan Memorial Lib., Cumberland Coll., Williamsburg, KY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.