Book Description
Whether you think of it as the ultimate in time-lapse photography or a reality show begun decades before its time, this 30-year photographic look at one middle-class family from Louisville, Kentucky, is Americana at its most evocative—at once moving, modest, and quietly magnificent. Conceived in the 20th century and carried forward into the 21st, this remarkable collection peers into every aspect of one particular family’s life to produce an album that is instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever shared the American experience.

A gifted photojournalist whose 250 discerning images speak for themselves in eloquent black and white, Pam Spaulding started to record the simple, unscripted "real life" events of the McGarveys immediately after the birth of the couple’s first baby in 1977 and ended with the wedding of the second of their three children in 2007. From the death of a beloved dog to Dad McGarvey struggling to assemble a toy aircraft carrier in the wee hours of Christmas, these are scenes that all of us know yet rediscover with astonishing force. From proud young parents to their kids squabbling in the backseat of the family car to the next generation of newlyweds, it’s all here—love, humor, intimacy, tragedy, loyalty.

Look Inside An American Family

Click on thumbnails for larger images

	Morgan holds hands with his grandfather and "best friend," Elmer Morgan. August 1986		Judy dresses Sara for her fourth birthday party, which featured a Cinderella theme including a neighbor playing the fairy godmother. May 1987		David, center, says the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time in kindergarten. Three of his classmates in the picture will stay with him through eighth grade. September 1982
	Two decades later, Morgan supports his grand father as they climb the stairs. June 2007		Sara finds her prom dress in one day of shopping with her mother. March 2001		The family welcomes David home from a tour in Iraq. John, who rarely shows emotion, held back tears when the crowd at the airport broke into applause. November 2006

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The traditional approach to studying American photojournalism explains the what and who of photojournalism - what events and developments occurred, what notable images were taken, and who took them. Without neglecting those concerns, "American Photojournalism" emphasizes the why. It explains how contemporary photojournalism is grounded in three large ideas: the desire to witness and record historical events and important people, the belief in photography's power to advance social justice, and the embrace of a universal humanism. Cookman argues that contemporary photojournalists are strongly influenced by these three ideas, and that these ideas have become the central tenets of the profession....