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[personal profile] avad
Whenever I need a thorough reminder of WHY I'm doing this, THIS book is the perfect medicine in my bookshelf. The stories and pictures shake me into an understanding of where we stand comparatively. And something in my chest makes it impossible to turn away. This is our family, all.



Material World- A Global Family Portrait

In honor of the United Nations-sponsored International Year of the Family in 1994, award-winning photojournalist Peter Menzel brought together 16 of the world's leading photographers to create a visual portrait of life in 30 nations. Material World tackles its wide subject by zooming in, allowing one household to represent an entire nation. Photographers spent one week living with a "statistically average" family in each country, learning about their work, their attitudes toward their possessions, and their hopes for the future. Then a "big picture" shot of the family was taken outside the dwelling, surrounded by all their (many or few) material goods.
The book provides sidebars offering statistics and a brief history for each country, as well as personal notes from the photographers about their experiences. But it is the "big pictures" that tell most of the story. In one, a British family pauses before a meal of tea and crumpets under a cloudy sky. In another, wary Bosnians sit beside mattresses used as sniper barricades. A Malian family composed of a husband, his two wives, and their children rests before a few cooking and washing implements in golden afternoon light. Material World is a lesson in economics and geography, reminding us of the world's inequities, but also of humanity's common threads. An engrossing, enlightening book. --Maria Dolan

I would encourage anyone/everyone to have this book on hand. It is indescribably inspiring.:)

Date: 2005-02-11 06:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avad.livejournal.com
that is SO beautiful!!
And look it's a passion flower- my favorite flower of ALL! and look at the daddylonglegs and the slug..my goodness..seems everyone just loved it.:)
Thanks for sharing that thought JS.

Date: 2005-02-12 06:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aztecson23.livejournal.com
Just went on my Amazon wish list.

Date: 2005-02-14 01:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avad.livejournal.com
yay!:)

I MUST HAVE THIS

Date: 2005-02-16 11:03 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
WOW - AMAZING! This just went onto my inspirational-gotta-have-it-book-list!!! Thanks Darlin'!

Re: I MUST HAVE THIS

Date: 2005-02-17 04:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avad.livejournal.com
YAY. It really is amazing.:)

Date: 2005-02-16 11:04 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
sorry - that last comment's from me!
xo Kimberli

Date: 2005-02-17 04:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avad.livejournal.com
hee I figured.:)it was the tone of voice hehe.
much love

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