Aronson, Marc, and Marina Budhos. Eyes of the World.

Aronson, Marc, and Marina Budhos. Eyes of the World. Macmillan/Henry Holt     2017  294p  $22.99  Hardback  ISBN 978-0-8050-9835-8  ms/hs  Nonfiction  E-BN    

“To see, to tell, to bear witness.  In a single image ... And show us all you have seen.”  Andre Friedmann and Gerta Pohorylle were two young Jewish refugees in the Europe of the 1930s.  Much better known by their professional names of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, they were pioneering photojournalists who tried to open the eyes of the public to the dangers in Germany and to the Spanish Civil War.  They were determined to be the first to chronicle the fight against fascism and the tragedies of modern warfare, and their photographs went directly from the battlefields to the pages of the popular news magazines and the world's attention.  They put a “human face” on the horrors of war.  This descriptive narrative is an attractive resource, well researched and insightful.  The writing is cohesive and compelling in telling the ultimately tragic stories of the two subjects.  With a wealth of primary-source materials and photographs, the book ends with multiple appendices, a biographical listing of individuals and groups, a timeline of international events from 1929 to 2017, personal discussions with the authors, chapter notes, lists of resources, and an index. This is a must-purchase for all middle and high-school libraries.

Summary: This photo-biography of Robert Capa and Gerda Taro represents the lives of these pioneering photojournalists in spectacular style.  The descriptive narrative is an attractive resource, well researched and insightful.  The writing is cohesive and compelling in telling their ultimately tragic stories.

Capa, Robert; Taro, Gerda; Photojournalism                  --Susan Ogintz   

Burgan, Michael. Ali’s Knockdown Punch: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest.

Burgan, Michael.  Ali’s Knockdown Punch: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest. Capstone Publishers  2017     64p. $34.65  ISBN 978-0-7565-5527-6 ms/hs  nonfiction series: Captured Sports History (Capstone)  Nonfiction  E-BN

This biography of Muhammad Ali features a strong emphasis on photojournalism and is one of the few books for youth that put the life of Muhammad Ali in the context of the larger Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.  The importance of his beliefs, his rise to boxing fame, and iconic images of his victories are concisely presented in a way that is appropriate for readers of all ages. The book also provides details on the photojournalists who documented his life and how they came to be in a position to do so.     

The Capstone series Captured Sports History includes eight titles that discuss unique moments in sports, with biographical information on athletes and photojournalists in the context of the times. Excellent photos and concise writing will appeal to readers of all ages. Grades 4+. 

Summary: This is a biography of Muhammad Ali placed in the context of the 1960s civil rights movement. The photojournalist who captured the images of his boxing career is featured as well. Grades 4-12.     

Muhammad Ali, Boxing, Photojournalism                             --Lois McNicol

Smith-Llera, Danielle. Black Power Salute: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest.

Smith-Llera, Danielle. Black Power Salute: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest. Capstone Publishers   2017  64p      $34.65  ISBN 978-0-7565-5526-9      ms/hs Nonfiction  E-BN

This history book features a strong emphasis on photojournalism, as well as being one of the few books for youth that put the 1968 Olympic Games Black Power Salute in the context of the larger Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.  The author shows how the nonviolent protest affected the lives of the runners from San José State University afterward. She also gives detailed information on the symbolic reasons for the ways they wore various items of clothing (the raised pant leg, the unzipped jacket), the symbolism of the white necklace, and their shoes (or lack thereof). The photojournalists who documented the 1968 Olympic Games are named, and there is an explanation of how they came to be in a position to document what became an iconic moment.      

The series Captured Sports History includes eight titles that capture unique moments in sports. Each one features biographical information on the athletes and the photojournalists within the context of the times. The excellent photos and concise writing will appeal to readers of all ages. Grades 4+.   

Summary: Detailed background on the Black Power salute by U.S. runners during the 1968 Olympic Games, placed in the context of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. The photojournalist who captured the images is featured as well. Grades 4-12.

Civil Rights Movement, 1968 Olympic Games, Photojournalism

                                                                        --Lois McNicol