Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad (Night Photography, Underground Railroad Photography and Essays)

I think Through Darkness to Light is beautifully done. The photography is stunning. The copies of documents and articles really help tell the story of the Underground Railroad and of those who escaped to freedom and those who aided them along the way. The photography is evocative and takes the reader into the darkness of the night. On page 155 the photo Walk along the Ridge in Fort Wayne emotes the feeling: "I have a light on for you." I want to crouch down, hold my breath and creep to the house. The book is alive. Thank you for bringing this to our World. Levi and Catherine Coffin are in my bloodline and this book is a stunning tribute to the cause they believed in.

This photo essay is at once poetic, historical and unique. Almost all of the photographs were taken at night and hauntingly beautiful. But they also often convey a sense of unseen danger and foreboding which brings up a important point about the Underground Railroad: much of the travel was done at night. The yearning for freedom led those intrepid escapees to brave many dangers and even death. The quotes included as a narrative were also quite telling. One from Harriet Tubman: “I have a right to only two things, freedom and death. If I couldn’t have one, I would have the other.” A beautiful and evocative book.

I did not understand it.

Amazing book! The research and beautiful photos, especially at night, gives us an idea what the brave "passengers" going north went through and saw along the way. How brave they were, as well as the people along the way who helped them.How appropriate and what a coup to have Andrew Young, civil rights activist, UN Ambassador and Mayor, write such an elegant forward.I cried through the entire book, filled with such emotion. It is an honor to have this book on my living room table.I cannot wait for the next book from Jeanine Michna-Bales! Great Work!

The book is fantastic. I had seen the original photos at a local museum and looked thru the one on display. Excellent book.

This book is gorgeous! It is haunting, terrifying, and absolutely beautiful. You can tell it was created with love. The photographs are stunning, the story is heartbreaking, and it memorializes the resolve and strength of people who would not be kept down. I love the layout and the bright, cheerful pages at the end of the book. It's on display on my piano.

Despite some other reviewers comments , I got it. To me, the only way to present the photos was in darkness, as I Imagine the UGR slaves saw it. Superb and highly recommended.

I live in NE Indiana where one of these houses was photographed. Interesting but was a little disappointed in the quality of most of the pictures. And the information provided was limited. Still, would probably buy it again!