Picturing Men: A Century of Male Relationships in Everyday American Photography: Ibson, John: 9780226368580: Books - Amazon.ca

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Picturing Men: A Century of Male Relationships in Everyday American Photography Paperback – May 1 2006

by John Ibson (Author)

3.7 21 ratings

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There was a time in America when two men pictured with their arms wrapped around each other, or perhaps holding hands, weren’t necessarily seen as sexually involved—a time when such gestures could be seen simply as those of intimate friendship rather than homoeroticism.

Such is the time John Ibson evokes in Picturing Men, a striking visual record of changes in attitudes about relationships between gentlemen, soldiers, cowboys, students, lumberjacks, sailors, and practical jokers. Spanning from 1850 to 1950, the 142 everyday photographs that richly illustrate Picturing Men radiate playfulness, humor, and warmth. They portray a lost world for American men: a time when their relationships with each other were more intimate than they commonly are today, regardless of sexual orientation. Picturing Men starkly contrasts the calm affection displayed in earlier photographs with the absence of intimacy in photos from the mid-1950s on. In doing so, this lively, accessible book makes a significant contribution to American history and cultural studies, gender studies, and the history of photography.

Print length

260 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of Chicago Press
Publication date

May 1 2006
Dimensions

17.78 x 2.03 x 25.4 cm
ISBN-10

0226368580
ISBN-13

978-0226368580
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Hugh Nini
2,474
Hardcover
$88.00
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Product description

About the Author

John Ibson is professor of American Studies at California State University, Fullerton.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Chicago Press (May 1 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0226368580
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0226368580
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 567 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.78 x 2.03 x 25.4 cm

Best Sellers Rank: #467,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #332 in Portrait Photography (Books)
- #3,803 in Gender Studies (Books)
- #8,284 in United States History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
3.7 21 ratings

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Beautiful historical documentation

Reviewed in Canada on February 26, 2003

When my son first told me about this book, he had seen it briefly at a book signing. He told me that it was "a collection of old pictures of men together," and that it was not meant to be eroticism. He was right on both counts, but the book is so much more than that. It is a chronicle--historical documentation of a segment of our culture, a glimpse of part of who we were as a society that might have been lost had not John Ibson meticulously produced this work. Can you imagine that at one time in the not so distant past, men of all walks of life--cowboys, soldiers, athletes, businessmen--felt comfortable enough with each other to display their kinship openly? A hand laid firmly on a shoulder or knee, an arm draped around another man's neck--regardless of sexual orientation, these were demonstrations of genuine affection. I bought the book because I love black and white photography and for that I knew I would appreciate the book's significance. But there is far more there; John's commentary on the culture of our times is well-researched, insightful, and extremely well-written. For historians, sociologists, collectors and artists, this book is a must.

God, These Men Were Ugly

Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2003

I bought this for my best friend who's gay. I almost hesitated doing so, the men in these photographs leave a WHOLE lot to be desired. He likes it, though, because he has a few of these old postcards, and is a photography buff to boot. So, I supposed just based on that, if someone you know shares that interest, they may like it.

Top reviews from other countries

S. Kay Murphy

Beautiful historical documentation

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2003

Verified Purchase

When my son first told me about this book, he had seen it briefly at a book signing. He told me that it was "a collection of old pictures of men together," and that it was not meant to be eroticism. He was right on both counts, but the book is so much more than that. It is a chronicle--historical documentation of a segment of our culture, a glimpse of part of who we were as a society that might have been lost had not John Ibson meticulously produced this work. Can you imagine that at one time in the not so distant past, men of all walks of life--cowboys, soldiers, athletes, businessmen--felt comfortable enough with each other to display their kinship openly? A hand laid firmly on a shoulder or knee, an arm draped around another man's neck--regardless of sexual orientation, these were demonstrations of genuine affection. I bought the book because I love black and white photography and for that I knew I would appreciate the book's significance. But there is far more there; John's commentary on the culture of our times is well-researched, insightful, and extremely well-written. For historians, sociologists, collectors and artists, this book is a must.

48 people found this helpful

Paul Saxon

Enlightening

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2011

Verified Purchase

I was taken by surprise when I saw the level of affection and intimacy
captured in these photos of men from another era.I can't imagine men of my time allowing themselves to be caught in expressions of such open affection.
I seriously doubt that all these men were gay men, so how does one account for the shift in what is socially acceptable.Men of my generation would likely be most uncomfortable, I think, with what appears to be genuine affection and buddyship, but it may be that the lives of those men were enriched in a way that we can't appreciate today.

8 people found this helpful

BD

Impressive

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

A great historical account of some rare images!!! Only wish the paper quality is better for the prints.

I. Gross

God, These Men Were Ugly

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2003

Verified Purchase

I bought this for my best friend who's gay. I almost hesitated doing so, the men in these photographs leave a WHOLE lot to be desired. He likes it, though, because he has a few of these old postcards, and is a photography buff to boot. So, I supposed just based on that, if someone you know shares that interest, they may like it.

5 people found this helpful

Mark

Excellent Photographic Collection

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2021

Verified Purchase

Book arrived in perfect condition. Packaging was extremely well done. Use this seller with confidence.

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