American Witness: The Art and Life of Robert Frank

I just finished reading this remarkable book and I'm genuinely sad it's over, that's a true sign of a good book. As a professional photographer I found this book fascinating and I learned so much Frank's life and career arc and I'm inspired. I'm also a fan of the beat generation and I had no idea about all the connections with Kerouac and Ginsberg, I loved all that. Even if you aren't a photographer you will find this book fascinating as Frank is such an interesting man. I highly recommend this book to everyone, best book I've read in years, thank you to the author RJ Smith, I'm now a fan of your work and looking forward to reading more of your books.

I've been a Robert Frank fan for a long time, and I felt that this book added little to what I had already read about him. Indeed, the author did not have any direct access to Frank (a fact that seemed to be missing from press and product descriptions). He was able to interview many of Frank's acquaintances and friends which surely adds some insight -- but overall I felt more pleased with some of the great catalogs of Frank's work and the insight of those essayists than I felt about this biography. Many times over I considered stopping reading altogether -- not because of how unlikable Frank was presented (which wasn't entirely surprising to me), but because I found the text boring and the writing heavy handed. I trudged through nonetheless, but am glad to be through with it.Get your hands on the catalogs, read some great interviews online or in old magazines... You'll get a mix of Frank's art and some insight that way, as opposed to this unauthorized biography.

This is a great book for anybody interested in Robert Frank and the birth of modern documentary photography.It is written in a very accessible style, there is no filler and it never gets boring. Every page is interesting to read.Highly recommended if you are interested in documentary photography or if you always wondered why Robert Frank is considered such an important photographer.

American Witness burnishes the myth and mystery that is Robert Frank while simultaneously revealing the great man himself. I could stop reading it. If only Frank’s photos could have been included... but then, permission to do so would have been in conflict with everything presented here. And what is here, like Frank himself, is a gift.

Great book, great story, thank you...

Muy buen servicio

I like Robert Frank’s photographs. After reading the book, I don’t particularly like him. His life is easily summed up: Trying hard not to try. In the end, all photographs are simply graphic images. Intent doesn’t matter. He is a difficult and miserable human being.As for the book, it is thorough in the beginning, but when it gets to the early Seventies, it is less chronological and detailed, and more impression. It is interesting to read about New York in the Fifties and early Sixties. Frank encountered a lot of interesting people (icons) in those years.

A tribute to Internet research. A little life less,

I am so glad that this book, about my friend and mentor of over thirty years, has been written and published. Previous books about Robert Frank and his work have been segmented, partial and shrouded by legend. Robert is notorious for not giving straight answers to questions. He is the photographic genius of our and any other time. Publication of The Americans in 1959, which originally met with hatred and scorn, changed the way photographs would look forever!.....Salut, Robert....your friend...AG

Liked the purchase.

Excellent book on the Life of Robert Frank. A pleasure to read!

作品集ではなく伝記である。ハードカバーでページ数も多いので、それなりに作品である写真も掲載されていると期待したが、小さな写真が少しある程度でほとんどは文章。タイトルから伝記的な内容であるとは想像できたが、写真集が高いので、安い本書で　ちょっとでも作品を楽しめるかと思ったがの大失敗。英語を母国語のように読めて、写真を見るのではなく長い「伝記」を読みたい人以外にはおすすめできない。

For those interested in Robert Frank and/or photography/movie making and/or creativity, this is a book for you.