The amount of interesting information in this book regarding the life of Ansel Adams is wonderful. The people he knew, the places he's been, and the struggles he's undertaken are all part of a dazzling portrait of the man we do not know simply from looking at his work. It is a book which provides historicaly interesting snapshots from his life (literally, and figuratively), and lets us see glimpses of the lives of other great artists too.

What I found unpleasant was getting to know someone I may not have liked as a colleague or friend. The opinions or thoughts which flow from the pages of this this autobiographical are not always as polished as the photos we have come to know and love. In fairness, the man is not his work, and the work, likewise, is not who he is as a person. I have seen them both now, and prefer the work over the man (at least as he presented himself to me). I also thought that many of the events or persons which Adams spoke of where ALMOST done so by way of 'name dropping' in order to gain attention for himself (i.e. 'see who I know'). This was unnecasary I thought, and only made me wonder why he felt a need to do it that way, if indeed it was intentional.

I was particularly troubled by one of his closing observations on the value of photography as a fine art form, and how a photograph is, beyond all others, the most difficult form of art there is to create. I should think Michael Angelo, Monet, Picaso, or hundreds of other amazing artists through the ages may be inclined to a different viewpoint, even if they wouldn't admit to it.

Matt Lang


Brilliant photos, sanitized text?   April 12, 2000
 14 out of 18 found this review helpful

First of all, the reproductions of Adams' photographs in the hardcover edition are excellent. The text is designed to relate to the photos, directly or indirectly, without distracting too much from the photos. Adams does tend to lean towards the philosophical towards the end of some chapters, perhaps with a well-founded basis.

However, I think it is fair to say that Adams has "visualized" himself in a stylized and abstract manner, not unlike his photographs of the wilderness, cropping any rough edges of his life and ultimately contributing to (even propagating?) the myth surrounding his life.

After reading his autobiography, I am now looking forward to reading his biography, written by Mary Street Alinder, his editor in the present effort. I hope that she reveals some of the driving tensions and flaws in his life, much in the same way James Gleick filled in the more sombre details of Richard Feynman's life that he glossed over in his autobiographies.


Great Ansel Adams Book!   December 3, 1999
 7 out of 12 found this review helpful

If you're looking for a great bio on Ansel Adams, this is the book for you. It is a great, fact-filled book.


Great book, great information, great photographer!   March 18, 1999
 1 out of 17 found this review helpful

I think that Ansel Adams was a great photographer, I personally love photography, and would love to see more professional photographers.


Ooops!! I submitted this for the wrong book!!!   February 16, 1999
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Sorry for the inconvienince- I submitted the followig review for the wrong book. I meant these comments in reference to Mary Alinder's Biography of Ansel Adams, not his auto biography on which she assisted. Please try to correct the mistake for me. It is a great book!!

Mary Street Alinder presents a very personal look at many parts of Adams' life and career. Though most know some of his work, we don't know the early struggles to bring photography into the stuffy artistic world, the environmental activist, and his development and refinement of the photographic medium that Alinder brings to life. A great read for anyone who has marveled at his photos and wants some perspective on the personal side of this artist.