Reviews for Americana the Beautiful: Mid-Century Culture in Kodachrome

The average rating for Americana the Beautiful: Mid-Century Culture in Kodachrome based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-02-22 00:00:00 Ulrich Grimm Loved it! I find it highly enjoyable to see all these old photos and how things have changed. I wish Charles Phoenix would bring one of his slide shows to NE Iowa!

Review # 2 was written on 2011-08-25 00:00:00 David Ramondo As a resident of an older home, I've always enjoyed finding pictures of historic homes. While I pour over period appropriate details, the images are vaguely antiseptic with photographs of pristine interiors destined for bungalow catalogs. Americana the Beautiful is the exact opposite. It is a glimpse into yesteryear, but fully encompasses how Americans truly lived, not aspired to live, as in Pottery Barn catalogs. Phoenix presents all the quirky details of midcentury culture, kitschy and uninhibited crafts, political incorrectness, space age fascination, post-war consumerism and economic aspirations, and mass industrialization of goods and food. The pictures are vibrant, candid, intimate, humorous and poignant. I've heard Phoenix speak on my local NPR station several times, but now I will definitely seek out one of his live slide slows.