Life: Our Century in Pictures

I purchased this book on the reputation of Life Magazine and I was definitely not disappointed. It must be truly one of the most amazing and informative treatments of our last century thanks to so many of the famous and not so well known figures and moments that brought our world to where it is today. The quality of photos and script are unique, first rate and yet quite familiar to anyone who has been a fan of Life Magazine over the years. I consider this heavy reflection of our last 100 years one of the best examples of REAL history I could own. My grandchildren will come to know and appreciate their heritage thanks in part to the facts and reflections of events far more impacting than I could ever envision. This will be a valuable complement to my collection of anything 20th century.

I bought this book to give as a present for Christmas with the thought in mind that it would be a good keepsake for the new millenium. Now I'm having trouble giving it away. It is a great book for young and old. For the young to learn about the past and for the old to read and think - remember when?

When I bought this book, I was torn between this title and Peter Jenning's photo essay Century. (This is one time when I would have liked to have been able to browse both before buying). In the end it came down to Life's stellar reputation in the field of photojournalism. To make a long story short, I don't think I could have made a better purchase. This book is better than I could have hoped for.There is just enough written commentary in the book to fill in the gaps for the reader. The editors have wisely decided to let the photographs themselves serve as a visual commentary.I had intended to give the book as a gift for my wife, but when I took the book out of the box I started browsing through it and became so obsorbed by the book, my wife came home from work while I was still reading it and before I had a chance to hide it.So, two weeks early, it has been on the coffee table. With the holidays coming on, there have been many visitors to the house and most pick up the book. I have yet to hear a negative comment about the book. Instead the comments go like this: "Gosh, I remember that!" as one of my guests are transported in a nostalgic time machine. It has been a long time since I was as pleased with any book as I have been with this one; I expect it will be a long time before I will be please with another book.

Life comes shining through with yet another beautiful books that proves "a picture is worth a thousand words". Watching my 10 year old son slowly turning the pages and reading amazed me as he usually is not interested in history. These are not just ordinary pictures but ones that will make you stare and think about the subject. This book was put together with great thought and covers an amazing amount of material.

Richard Stolley and Mr. Chiu take their years of experience and powerfully depict how the Century has been changed through events. They have put it all together in this MUST HAVE book for all ages. This book will show your children and your grandchildren how the 20th Century was shaped. Today people are visual and the pictures captured and selected in this book show the way this nation and world has progressed, taken steps back and yet still, moved forward through time. This book is meant to be placed on top of the coffee table and left there by itself! Great conversation starter for family and friends. To find one book that actually shows 100 years of History in a visual sense is THE Book of the Century.