The Americans

by Robert Frank
The Americans cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Art, Design, and Photography
Technical:
  • ID: 1344
  • Added: 2025-10-05
  • Updated: 2025-10-05
  • Publisher: Scalo Publishers
  • Published: 2000-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

The Americans is a renowned photography book by Robert Frank, first published in 1959. It features a series of striking images taken during Frank's cross-country trips in 1955 and 1956. These photographs offer a raw and unfiltered glimpse into American life, portraying everyday people and scenes with a profound sense of authenticity and emotion. The book's impact has endured for decades, making it a seminal work in the world of photography. /n/n Frank's unique perspective and composition challenge traditional notions of beauty and documentary photography. The images are both intimate and distant, capturing moments that are simultaneously personal and universal. This collection continues to inspire and provoke thought, reflecting on the social and cultural landscape of mid-20th century America.

Reviews
The Guardian · 2024-11-20
provocative 4.50

The book is praised for its exposure of the darker aspects of the American dream, including racism and loneliness. Its timeless relevance is noted, making it a powerful and provocative work.

The Guardian review emphasizes how 'The Americans' boldly exposes the underlying issues of racism, loneliness, and consumer culture that were often overlooked in the portrayal of the American dream. The reviewer appreciates the book's enduring relevance, highlighting its ability to resonate with contemporary audiences. They commend Frank's courage in capturing these often uncomfortable truths, making the book a powerful and provocative piece of art. The photographs are seen as a timeless commentary on society, offering a critical yet essential perspective.

Quick quotes

    Frank's iconic photo book exposed the racism, loneliness and consumer culture lurking behind the American dream.

    It still resonates today.

    The Americans remains as powerful and provocative as it was upon its release.

James Cockroft · James Cockroft · 2020-12-15
excellent 4.50

The expanded edition offers a deep dive into Frank's life and the creation of the book, complemented by excellent photographic work. The reviewer finds the additional context enriching and the photographs as impactful as ever.

James Cockroft delves into the expanded edition of 'The Americans,' appreciating the added insights into Robert Frank's life and the creative process behind the book. He praises the photographic work as excellent and timeless, noting that the additional context enhances the understanding and appreciation of the images. Cockroft highlights how the book continues to be a significant work in photography, offering a unique perspective on American society. The reviewer finds the combination of personal narrative and visual artistry particularly compelling.

Quick quotes

    Frank's life and the making of The Americans makes for interesting reading, and the photographic work represented is of course excellent.

    The Americans is a seminal work in the history of photography.

    The expanded edition offers a deep dive into Frank's life and the creation of the book.

The New Yorker · 2019-09-10
revelatory 4.50

The book is celebrated as a groundbreaking work that had a profound impact on American culture, comparable to other revolutionary works of the era. Its influence is likened to a celestial visitation.

The reviewer highlights the transformative impact of the book, likening it to other seminal works of the 1950s and 1960s. They emphasize how 'The Americans' captured the essence of a changing nation, offering a raw and unfiltered perspective that resonated deeply with its audience. The book's legacy is seen as timeless, continuing to inspire and provoke thought decades after its publication. The reviewer marvels at how the photographs encapsulate the spirit of the time, making it a must-read for understanding American history and culture.

Quick quotes

    ranked with Dylan, Warhol, and Motown as a revelation something like a celestial visitation.

    The book, which was published in the United States in 1959, ... still resonates today.

    It captured the essence of a changing nation.

Appears in Lists