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Pittsburgh Post Gazette

US history a hot topic for publishers Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA - Nov 11, 2008 Jacob Riis documented the life of the poor firsthand in his journalism and photography in the New York slums of the late 19th century. ...

SFGate: Day in Pictures San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - Nov 26, 2008 Here Sebastian Smith of the New York Blue Elephant Polo Club works on his swing at Jacob Riis Park in Queens so he'll be sharp when he's riding an actual ...

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Jacob Riis books

The Other Half: The Life of Jacob Riis and the World of Immigrant America

by: Tom Buk-Swienty
Social reformer Jacob Riis made it impossible for Americans to look the other way; now this inspiring biography restores his greatness.

Drawing on previously unexamined diaries and letters, The Other Half marvelously re-creates the moving story of Jacob Riis, the legendary Progressive reformer and muckraking photographer. Born in 1849 in rural Denmark, Riis immigrated to America in 1870 following a devastating romantic breakup. Penniless and starving, Riis stumbled into journalism, eventually becoming a charismatic police reporter for the .

Rediscovering Jacob Riis: The Reformer, His Journalism, and His Photographs

by: Bonnie Yochelson, Daniel Czitrom
While I'm no expert on the subject, I'd guess this will become one of the definitive bios on Jacob Riis, and also contains many of his important photos as a bonus. The reproduction quality is good enough -- probably better than the original print publications -- but not exceptional.

How the Other Half Lives (Penguin Classics)

by: Jacob A. Riis
As others have noted, this book was the beginning of photojournalism, and remains an accurate but depressing look into the lives of poor New Yorkers in the early part of the 20th century.

This book never fails to amaze me. I read it in college, then ordered it for someone else recently.

If you have never read it - or, if you have not read it recently, give it a look.

In these times when the rich are increasingly wealthier than they've been since the 19th Century - the middle class is shrinking - and the poor are becoming poorer, it is wise to look and remember how socially aware and socially responsible we must be.

Five Great Street Photographers: Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Eugene Atget, Jacob Riis, Lisette Model, Ed Van Der Elsken (Phaidon 55's)

Each of these five books is taken from "Phaidon's 55's" series, which represents photographers in 55 key photographs taken from their life's work, giving a chronological overview of the main themes and ideas behind their photography. Now, this series is available in boxed sets and with five titles available for the price of three. These five photographers are all infamous for their captivating images of the streets.

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