FEBRUARY - Book Club Thursday: Edward Curtis Plus A Bonus

Digital Photography © 2017 SuZan Alexander

Welcome to the February book party! Did you read Short Night of The Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan? What did you think? Is that a story or what? I wrote a blog post last year that you can read HERE and a recent "birthday" post HERE. I really enjoyed this book. I found the whole story heartbreaking from the treatment of the Native Americans to a man who was so focused on his mission that he lost everything... his marriage, his business, his income, his health... And yet, I was fascinated, not only with the resulting photographs but Curtis's knowledge and determination that this was his purpose, his mission, no matter the cost. He may be the poster-boy of living your authentic life. Then, there is the irony that no one was really interested in his documentary project and now, in some cases, (from what I have read) his images, notes, and recordings are the only remaining, non-verbal record of a few tribes.

I also read the "Bonus" book, The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero, also by Timothy Egan. The book follows Thomas Meagher from Ireland's Potato Famine to exile in Australia to the United States. I have a great fondness for Ireland and I remember visiting an art museum in Dublin where I felt completely lost because I (shamefully) did not know the history. I wish I had read this book before I visited Ireland, but, of course, the book did not exist when I visited. So, there's that. But, after reading this book I am ready to return to Ireland with a little more information and a new appreciation.

So, now it is your turn. If you read along, what were your thoughts? And, if you did not read these books, tell us what are you reading that we might find interesting?