From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up-Brady photographed celebrities, politicians, and royalty, and was credited by Abraham Lincoln for helping him get elected to the presidency. The pinnacle of Brady's career was to document the Civil War. By photographing soldiers and the aftermath of battles, he brought the war to civilians by way of newspapers and magazines. He also hired people as photographers, while he acted as technical consultant, supervisor, promoter, and project manager. Pflueger explains his role and that of his primary assistants. Her book is interesting to read, well researched, and well documented. The biographical information is complete enough for high school students while not overwhelming for younger students. Many reproductions of Brady's work are included. Elizabeth Van Steenwyk's Mathew Brady (Watts, 1997) is primarily for a younger audience. This biography is a useful reference on the history of the Civil War and on early photographic methods.
Michael McCullough, Byron-Bergen Middle School, Bergen, NY
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
