Walker Evans: A Biography

Belinda Rathbone's biography is readable, carefully researched, and, as befits a photographer writing about another photographer, scrupulously honest. Without wallowing in Walker Evans' prickliness or eccentricities, she presents a thorough, elegantly written study of a gifted, troubled artist. It is Evans' artistry that gets primary focus here--as it should. I enjoyed the selection of Evans' photographs that begin the book, and I admired Rathbone's ability to set Evans' photographic style against a series of contexts: the Depression era taste for documentary, the growing popularity of landscape photography, Warhol and Lichtenstein's pop-art, and so on. Rathbone's eye and her pen do her proud in this book.

Excellent biography by Belinda Rathbone of Walker Evans, one of the best photographers of his time. I read this in 1 week, could'nt put it down. He lived a fascinating life and the author provides a detailed account of his family background, childhood and school years thru his year abroad in Paris and then the start of his photography career in New York. His creative influences, career milestones, relationships and all other events of his life are chronicled in an interesting, easy to read style. I definately recommend it for anyone interested in wanting to learn and understand more about Walker Evans, or anyone with an interest in black & white photography.