You Are Your Brother's Keeper the Family of Man Meaning

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Jan 16, 2015 Thomas rated information technology liked it

A well-intentioned and groundbreaking photo exhibition, memorialized in book form. I appreciate the theme of mutual humanity in The Family unit of Man, and a lot of piece of work must have gone into choosing its photos. However, Edward Steichen'due south accent on the United States/the western world felt off-putting and unrepresentative of all of humanity. He also could accept picked pictures more than illustrative of the full gamut of human emotions. So many of these shots only highlight happy times, only humans undergo chiliad A well-intentioned and groundbreaking photo exhibition, memorialized in book grade. I appreciate the theme of mutual humanity in The Family unit of Man, and a lot of work must have gone into choosing its photos. However, Edward Steichen's emphasis on the United States/the western globe felt off-putting and unrepresentative of all of humanity. He likewise could have picked pictures more than illustrative of the full gamut of homo emotions. So many of these shots only highlight happy times, but humans undergo much suffering and sadness too - these nighttime times often showcase our resilience the near.

In sum, a expert collection to examine with a critical eye if photography intrigues y'all. Roland Barthes'southward 1957 critique of The Family of Man spoke to me - I wonder how this exhibit would look like today.

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Sep 18, 2008 Erik Graff rated information technology it was astonishing  · review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Erik by: Einar Graff

This was in the family unit library for as long every bit I can retrieve, existence an object of interest to me since before learning to read. Continuously in impress since 1955, I have given away innumerable copies of it over the years.

Carl Sandburg, Steichen's brother-in-law and author of its prologue, was a friend of the family, his wife maintaining a goat farm downwards the embankment from my Dad's mother'south identify on Lake Michigan. Dad'southward male parent, Einar Senior, was a colleague of Sandburg's both in the Socialist Party of

This was in the family library for as long every bit I can call back, existence an object of involvement to me since earlier learning to read. Continuously in print since 1955, I accept given abroad innumerable copies of it over the years.

Carl Sandburg, Steichen'south brother-in-law and writer of its prologue, was a friend of the family unit, his wife maintaining a goat farm down the beach from my Dad's mother'southward place on Lake Michigan. Dad'due south male parent, Einar Senior, was a colleague of Sandburg's both in the Socialist Party of America and in the Chicago newspaper business during the thirties. When the depression hitting, both of them lost their jobs and Carl moved upwards to his wife's subcontract where he wrote his biography of Lincoln. While living at that place he employed the services of our neighbour to the north, a pediatrician. I have some photographs somewhere which show him, gramps and many others at the wedding of the doctor's girl. Father relates that when he was little Carl would try out his children'south stories on him and the other kids in what was then a Norwegian lakefront customs.

Of course, I never met the famous man, just heard about him a lot, listened to an album of his reading some of those children's stories and saw his books on the shelves. When, nether Kennedy, he appeared at the White Firm, the family watched. When, in 1967, he died, Dad bought out the papers with the headlines at the drugstore in nearby Stevensville, Michigan, visibly shaken. I was xv so, reading my first re-create of The National Enquirer which, every bit I retrieve, featured an illustrated article of a boy eaten by a grunter. I was looking at the photograph of his reconstructed face, trying to figure out if it was simulated, when Dad called my attention to the other, more credible and of import death.

Like his begetter before him, Dad was, and remains, a socialist. He did a research project on Trotskyist cells when at Northwestern earlier the war, voted for Norman Thomas in '47, constantly criticized the Christians and the military machine-industrial complex. This book, doubtless, was a fixture in left-leaning households throughout the state, even during the depths of the cold war, because it does indeed impress upon the reader/viewer the archetypal commonalities which unite all persons at all times.

If 1 must take a java table book for general perusal, this is an fantabulous one.

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Interesting every bit a historical document -- an important moment in photography -- but frustrating in and of itself. The overrepresentation of the United States compared with the rest of the globe, the triteness (perhaps information technology wasn't trite then?) of the theme and the choice of quotations, the disconcerting inconsistency in place names (why practice we sometimes get a city in the The states, other times just U.s.? and almost never a city exterior the US, only state names, or "Arctic"?), the used of a mix Interesting as a historical document -- an important moment in photography -- but frustrating in and of itself. The overrepresentation of the U.s. compared with the residual of the world, the triteness (peradventure information technology wasn't trite then?) of the theme and the selection of quotations, the disconcerting inconsistency in place names (why do we sometimes get a city in the United States, other times only The states? and almost never a metropolis outside the US, only state names, or "Arctic"?), the used of a mixed purse of decades of photographs with no indication that some photos are less than contemporary with the exhibition, and the seeming overrepresentation of traditional dress on the European continent (partly attributable to the use of photos from before decades) -- those all nag at me. I tin can't view this as a drove of photographs without seeing it as a collection of photographs made by 1950s Americans. As a certificate of its time -- that is, of how its time began to meet itself -- it is, however, interesting. ...more than

Oct 13, 2021 Angge rated it it was ok

Though, a historical moment in photography, I don't recall in that location's anything ingenious about Steichen's famous photography exhibit. The exhibition itself denounced its purpose to provoke humanism in which is its main theme. Its approach was universal and corny, to be honest. As well western.

I saw the exhibition as a mere collection of images, of different photographers, stitched together to form a photo essay with a unified theme to show the human condition of the post-war years. That procedure seemed

Though, a historical moment in photography, I don't think there's annihilation ingenious virtually Steichen's famous photography showroom. The exhibition itself denounced its purpose to provoke humanism in which is its main theme. Its approach was universal and corny, to exist honest. Too western.

I saw the exhibition as a mere collection of images, of different photographers, stitched together to course a photo essay with a unified theme to prove the human condition of the mail-war years. That process seemed off to me as these individual photographs were silenced from their original context.

Knew nigh this MOMA exhibition through Susan Sontag's America, Seen Through Photographs, Darkly.

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Oct thirty, 2021 Anne rated it really liked information technology

We had very few books effectually the house when I was growing up only we had this book. Start published in 1955 it is full of blackness and white photographs chronicling the lives of people all over the world. I must have looked through this book 'a million times' as a kid and was pleased to see it on the coffee table at my female parent'southward house when we visited her this weekend. What a gem. Nosotros had very few books around the house when I was growing up but we had this book. First published in 1955 it is full of black and white photographs chronicling the lives of people all over the world. I must have looked through this book 'a million times' as a kid and was pleased to come across it on the coffee table at my mother'southward firm when we visited her this weekend. What a gem. ...more

The Museum of Mod Art in New York displayed a photographic exhibit in 1955. The showroom was iii years in the making with over two million submissions of photos. Author Edward Steichen, notes it was a daunting chore to reduce the photos first to ten thousand, then 503 photos from 68 countries.

What I love nigh this book in add-on to the amazing photos are the quotes from poets, The Bible, Anne Frank, etc. If one cannot beget to travel, there are ever books. A book like this one takes yo

The Museum of Modern Art in New York displayed a photographic exhibit in 1955. The exhibit was three years in the making with over two million submissions of photos. Author Edward Steichen, notes it was a daunting task to reduce the photos first to x thou, and so 503 photos from 68 countries.

What I honey most this book in add-on to the amazing photos are the quotes from poets, The Bible, Anne Frank, etc. If ane cannot afford to travel, in that location are ever books. A volume like this one takes yous all over the world and gives 1 perspective. If anyone thinks he or she is alone in this journey of human joy and also suffering, as Virgil wrote, "What region of the earth is not total of our calamities?"

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Jul 13, 2015 Jordan rated it liked it

The religiosity was unnecessary, and fifty-fifty a tad corny in context.

However, I did bask the groupings of photographs from all over the earth around different themes of the human being status: honey, lust, birth, death, war, atomic bombs (the book has a definite era). I call up that determination helps to interruption down barriers between groups, and to showcase the commonalities. The ceremonious rights department was especially powerful. And sadly still relevant, today.

Purchase this title from Powell's Books.

The religiosity was unnecessary, and even a tad corny in context.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy the groupings of photographs from all over the world around different themes of the man status: dearest, animalism, nascency, death, war, atomic bombs (the book has a definite era). I call up that decision helps to break down barriers betwixt groups, and to showcase the commonalities. The civil rights section was especially powerful. And sadly however relevant, today.

Purchase this title from Powell'southward Books.

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Aug 30, 2010 Leslie rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Leslie by: My sister

The common theme of life is reinforced. By reading this book and looking at the photographs it is clear that, despite wide cultural divides, human being has i common homo theme. We all need love, shelter, food, etc. I gave this volume as a gift and neglected to buy ane for myslef. The difficult back edition is at present out of print. I would like to choice upward some other copy for a coffee table book. I alternate the books on my coffee table for both myself and for visitors. This is a groovy ane to share.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this at a local resale bookstore for simply $i, and even more surprised at how much I enjoyed the images. This collection is neat and, I think, tin can stand without historical context. Withal, historical context really adds to how much one can appreciate it.

I can only imagine what information technology was like to attend the exhibit and see this global customs displayed in a m fashion.

Oct 01, 2008 David Timms rated information technology information technology was astonishing

I think my parents getting this volume in the middle 50s. It influenced me enormously and made me want to capture important events on film.

Information technology is the start volume of photos I recall buying, and I own hundreds of them. Yes, it is dated. Just it shows a glimpse of a time that has gone by - and shows it without makeup or artifice. And it is a cute thing to my optics.

Jun 12, 2009 Liz rated it it was amazing

A classic collection of blackness and white photographs from around the world--accompanied by quotes from famous people--moving pictures from the Great Depression.
Published by MOMA I had this in my dwelling growing upward and all the same have it to pass on. This is a keeper. Prologue was witten by Carl Sandburg--book created past Edward Steichen. This book if food for thought.

This is ane of the about influential books of my life, both upon how I feel nigh humankind and about how I feel about photography (its importance, its beauty, and its power to tell a story, inspire, even heal).

Very important in HS when designing the year book.

It would exist an understatement to call this a book of photographs.
First, considering it began in 1955 as an art exhibit, which became the most popular photograph show e'er, with an extended stay in NYC and then appearances all over the earth.
Second, because it is actually an essay, sometimes didactic merely always engaging and often uplifting, on the human being condition.
This book contains multitudes: joy and sorrow, nascency and death, freedom and slavery. It is not possible to flip through these pages. They invi It would be an understatement to call this a book of photographs.
Outset, because it began in 1955 every bit an art showroom, which became the most popular photo show ever, with an extended stay in NYC and so appearances all over the world.
2nd, because it is actually an essay, sometimes didactic but always engaging and often uplifting, on the man status.
This book contains multitudes: joy and sorrow, birth and death, freedom and slavery. It is not possible to flip through these pages. They invite delight, and amusement, and introspection.
On the left page, you have a professor speaking to well dressed students in a lecture hall at Princeton University. On the right, an African storyteller within a hut, with expressions of fascination on the faces of the children listening to him. What is common among united states of america, what is our nature?
This exhibit received criticism for beingness too sunny, for failing to live up to the cultural and ethnic sensitivities of today. Fair enough.
But at that place is and so much to divide us now. And so much taking of sides instead of recognizing what is shared. This reminder of our common humanity is timely.
If you own but ane book of photography, let information technology be this one. And read it slowly, like a dense novel, or an encyclopedia. ...more than

From the year in the 1960s when I received this volume for Christmas until now when I got a new copy to supervene upon the one I got earlier, I'd found this book absolutely mesmerizing. The photographs capture pathos and joy and fright and beauty. The photograph of the worried woman during the Grit Bowl haunts me to this 24-hour interval. She shows the weight of love on her shoulders. If you want a book that captures the man spirit, this is it. It is a fitting souvenir for either sex and for all genders. Information technology is a good boo From the yr in the 1960s when I received this book for Christmas until now when I got a new copy to supercede the ane I got earlier, I'd found this book admittedly mesmerizing. The photographs capture pathos and joy and fear and beauty. The photograph of the worried adult female during the Grit Bowl haunts me to this day. She shows the weight of dearest on her shoulders. If you desire a book that captures the man spirit, this is it. It is a fitting gift for either sex and for all genders. It is a expert volume for all ages -- from children to retirees. It shows dazzler and hate and fearfulness and wealth and poverty. It reflects non just the rich variety of the U.S., simply the beautiful range of skin colors and ages and socioeconomic levels of humankind. It is a wonderful souvenir for almost anyone . . . including yourself if you lot don't own it. We love to make sure our copy is in the guest room when we have family and friends staying over. Information technology's a tangible message of "welcome" and "we are all human being here." ...more than

Peachy niggling book from the 1955 MOMA Exhibition of the aforementioned name. Loved reading the written inserts with the photographs and seeing the dated blackness and white photographs of a time long ago. Things looked simpler then simply probably hid a lot of misery and unhappiness, too.

1 (1) star off because it was a scrap too much Western perspective while bragging information technology was from 63 different countries. Could have used a lot more input from photographers and people from the balance of the earth. Maybe it's fourth dimension to

Not bad little volume from the 1955 MOMA Exhibition of the aforementioned proper noun. Loved reading the written inserts with the photographs and seeing the dated black and white photographs of a time long ago. Things looked simpler then just probably hid a lot of misery and unhappiness, too.

One (ane) star off considering it was a bit too much Western perspective while bragging it was from 63 unlike countries. Could have used a lot more input from photographers and people from the residuum of the world. Maybe it's time to practise an update of this exhibit what with all the hatred and disharmony going on in the "family of human[kind]"?!? Food for thought at that place.

...more than

Jun 02, 2020 Claire rated information technology really liked it

As a record of the January 1955 exhibit The Family unit of Human, this is conspicuously a work of its time. One would hope that a similar project, if endeavored today, would be less centered on the U.S. and its famous photographers of the day, with a more inclusive set of chosen quotations and a more measured representation of the inequities of our globe. What it is, though, is a 65-year-sometime treasure of skillful, poignant, equanimous and spontaneous photographs all aiming to capture the emotions, experiences, As a tape of the Jan 1955 exhibit The Family unit of Human, this is clearly a work of its time. One would hope that a similar project, if endeavored today, would be less centered on the U.S. and its famous photographers of the day, with a more inclusive set of chosen quotations and a more measured representation of the inequities of our world. What information technology is, though, is a 65-yr-one-time treasure of skillful, poignant, equanimous and spontaneous photographs all aiming to capture the emotions, experiences, and foibles that unite the human experience. Leafing through it is an experience of singular pleasance and dazzler. ...more

Jul 20, 2021 Bob rated it information technology was astonishing

It was a photo exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, then first published in book form in 1955, an inspiring, thought-provoking, smile-inducing collection of images.
Information technology'southward humankind — captured in black-and-white — in its everyday, in its joy, in its sorrow, in its work and in its play, in its grief, in its loneliness, in its togetherness and in its oneness.
It's 503 photographs fabricated by professionals and amateurs alike in 68 countries, photographs that help all who see them sympathize — a It was a photo exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, then beginning published in book form in 1955, an inspiring, thought-provoking, smile-inducing collection of images.
It's humankind — captured in black-and-white — in its everyday, in its joy, in its sorrow, in its piece of work and in its play, in its grief, in its loneliness, in its togetherness and in its oneness.
It's 503 photographs made by professionals and amateurs alike in 68 countries, photographs that assist all who see them empathise — and possibly have? — how different we all are and at the same time how so very much alike we all are. ...more than

Nov 03, 2017 Paul Baker rated it information technology was amazing

An absolutely brilliant compilation of photographs Edward Steichen assembled for a MOMA exhibit that opened in January 1955, this selection runs the gamut of humanity. Childbirth, childhood, women, men, courting and spousal relationship, piece of work and war, relaxation, music, dancing, well-nigh every pregnant event of beingness human is presented with amazing photographs, 503 altogether, from 68 countries.

One can sit for hours glued to these pages, studying the beauty and ugliness of homo. It is an inspiration for al

An admittedly brilliant compilation of photographs Edward Steichen assembled for a MOMA exhibit that opened in January 1955, this choice runs the gamut of humanity. Childbirth, childhood, women, men, courting and marriage, piece of work and war, relaxation, music, dancing, well-nigh every significant event of existence human being is presented with astonishing photographs, 503 birthday, from 68 countries.

One can sit down for hours glued to these pages, studying the dazzler and ugliness of man. Information technology is an inspiration for all artists and a bible for our mutual man.

Highly recommended for readers of all ages!

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Outstanding homo race exploration at mid. 50th by Edward Steichen.

The book has strong narrative and conducts a reader through all human activities from birth till death. The Family unit of Man is filled with neat humanism and I would send the book in a space send to the aliens as Earth people presentation.

Outstanding homo race exploration at mid. 50th by Edward Steichen.

The book has stiff narrative and conducts a reader through all human activities from birth till death. The Family unit of Man is filled with great humanism and I would ship the book in a space ship to the aliens as Earth people presentation.

...more than

Aug 03, 2017 Ruth Lym rated it information technology was astonishing

If I could give this volume 100 stars, I would!! I take given this book several times as gifts to people I love (the first fourth dimension I gave it as a gift was in 1963 to my favorite history instructor in high school, and I watched while he read information technology during a written report form we had. And I saw the amazed smiles on his face as he went through information technology! It is a very, very fond memory). Information technology is truly an absolutely amazing book taken in its totality. Not easy to describe, merely And then worth reading and owning and re-reading!

February 13, 2019 Luke rated information technology really liked it

THIS is the liberal universalism that I love and so dearly. At that place are many reasonable criticisms that can exist made of this work-- information technology'southward American-centric, information technology focuses only on general experiences and not deeply private ones, etc., but I call up in that location'southward a really important message hither. It'due south really a message that needs preserving in an age of divisive identity politics and integral nationalism. THIS is the liberal universalism that I dear so dearly. At that place are many reasonable criticisms that can exist made of this work-- it's American-centric, information technology focuses only on general experiences and not deeply individual ones, etc., but I think there'south a really important message here. It'south really a bulletin that needs preserving in an age of divisive identity politics and integral nationalism. ...more

Got hold of this beautiful start print copy from the library from 1955. Well read and recovered. The quality of the pages are boggling considering how they held up with time and many readers.
I consider this THE book on both life and photography. I can expect at information technology everyday of my life and never tire of information technology.
What a brilliant exhibition it must have been!

Incredible, beautiful imagery. I just wish I had a larger edition, or could meet the exhibition itself. Some of the photos are quite small, and the print quality is non bang-up. (It's adept for a mass book but information technology's real bad for a photography volume, only fine given the price.) Incredible, beautiful imagery. I merely wish I had a larger edition, or could run across the exhibition itself. Some of the photos are quite small, and the impress quality is not great. (It's good for a mass book simply it'south existent bad for a photography book, only fine given the price.) ...more

Dec 30, 2017 Michael Haase rated it it was amazing

This was an extremely satisfying reprieve for me after all the time I've spent reading on violence and detest. I feel really refreshed and uplifted after reading through this. This was an extremely satisfying reprieve for me after all the time I've spent reading on violence and hate. I feel really refreshed and uplifted after reading through this. ...more

Feb 20, 2019 Peter Beck rated it it was amazing

What took me so long to notice this book??? Many of the best people pictures taken in the first half of the 20th century. I also love how global the scope of the exhibition was.

May 03, 2020 Mukul Jaiswal rated it really liked it

you'll become to see a lot of photographs and will be taken back into the time. you'll get to come across a lot of photographs and will be taken dorsum into the time. ...more

Some great images... for most image and country was sufficient, but many would have benefited from a petty context caption past the motion-picture show.

Edward Jean Steichen (March 27, 1879 – March 25, 1973) was a Luxembourgish American photographer, painter, and art gallery and museum curator.
Steichen was the about frequently featured photographer in Alfred Stieglitz' groundbreaking magazine Camera Piece of work during its run from 1903 to 1917. Together Stieglitz and Steichen opened the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession, which eventually became know Edward Jean Steichen (March 27, 1879 – March 25, 1973) was a Luxembourgish American photographer, painter, and fine art gallery and museum curator.
Steichen was the virtually frequently featured photographer in Alfred Stieglitz' groundbreaking magazine Photographic camera Piece of work during its run from 1903 to 1917. Together Stieglitz and Steichen opened the Niggling Galleries of the Photo-Secession, which somewhen became known every bit 291 after its address.
His photos of gowns for the mag Art et Décoration in 1911 are regarded as the first modern fashion photographs ever published. From 1923 to 1938, Steichen was a photographer for the Condé Nast magazines Vogue and Vanity Fair while too working for many advertising agencies including J. Walter Thompson. During these years, Steichen was regarded as the best known and highest paid photographer in the world. In 1944, he directed the state of war documentary The Fighting Lady, which won the 1945 Academy Award for All-time Documentary.
After World State of war Ii, Steichen was Director of the Section of Photography at New York'southward Museum of Modernistic Art until 1962. While at MoMA, he curated and assembled the exhibit The Family of Human being, which was seen by nine million people. ...more

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