Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher : : the Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis

Locations
Call Number: 770.92 Cu, Adult Book / Nonfiction / Art / Photography / Egan, Timothy
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Pittsfield Branch, Traverwood Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	770.92 Cu	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Art / Photography / Egan, Timothy	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Art / Photography / Egan, Timothy	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Nonfiction / Art / Photography / Egan, Timothy	4-week checkout	On Shelf

"Edward Curtis was dashing, charismatic, a passionate mountaineer, a famous photographer--the Annie Liebowitz of his time. And he was thirty-two years old in 1900 when he gave it all up to pursue his great idea: He would try to capture on film the Native American nation before it disappeared. At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, Egan's book tells the remarkable untold story behind Curtis's iconic photographs, following him throughout Indian country from desert to rainforest as he struggled to document the stories and rituals of more than eighty tribes. Even with the backing of Theodore Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan, it took tremendous perseverance--six years alone to convince the Hopi to allow him into their Snake Dance ceremony. The undertaking changed him profoundly, from detached observer to outraged advocate. He would die penniless and unknown in Hollywood just a few years after publishing the last of his twenty volumes. But the charming rogue with the grade-school education had fulfilled his promise--his great adventure succeeded in creating one of America's most stunning cultural achievements."-- Provided by publisher.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Was Curtis the real thing? submitted by ccrose on August 26, 2019, 11:41am I enjoy the wide sweep of this book, tracking Curtis as a so-so local photographer with babies to feed to a man who decided the Native American people could maybe make pictures folks might buy. He was broke or darn near but convinced a couple of rich patrons to cover his expenses.
But spending that long a time with cultures so different than his apparently pushed him toward a quest. He could tell from his encounters with tribes, no matter where they were in the USA, that their lives were slipping away.
I’m amazed by anyone who takes on a vision so vast and sticks with it. I think it cost him his family.
One criticism I’ve read was that Curtis posed the people, asked for certain spiritual costumes and relics. So he didn’t see anything so special in their day to day that would ‘sell.’
I’m always pulling for the American who embeds with very different cultures. Crossing my fingers that their perspective grows from true respect and reverence.
I’m not sure. The photos are not in the moment, posed to bring out the most photogenic pictures. Those who walked the Trail of Tears probably had to muster a look of bravery and strength instead of defeat.