Aronson, Marc & Marina Budhos. Eyes of the World: Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and the Invention of Modern Photography. Holt, 2017. $22.99. 294p. ISBN 978-0-8050-9935-8. Ages 12-17. P6Q10
“Dreams matter.” That is Aronson’s theme in this book by the noted author/editor/columnist and his wife in a blended history of the Spanish Civil War, photography, and the event’s famous chroniclers. It is a story of communism and socialism versus fascism that led up to the explosion in Europe of World War II as both sides of the precursor to Adolf Hitler’s destruction were fronted by horrific leaders who tried to enforce their philosophies through war crimes. “Interludes” explains the history of photojournalism, and the book discusses war refugees and other tragedies. The authors’ passionate writing extends to the love affair between two Jewish refugee photographers and explaining the war’s events through action-filled black and white photographs, a task so important that 27-year-old Gerda Taro lost her life after being run over by a tank. The image-filled book includes explanations of the pictures from writers who understand the art of photography and finishes with an unbiased clarification of the factions on both sides of the battles and the unlikely allies that brought each side together. A detailed timeline ties in the war’s events with related occurrences, and both authors relate reasons for their writing the book and the methods of their collaboration. Seventeen years after Taro’s death, Capa stepped on a landmine in Indochina while filming the Vietminh. Omaha Beach on D-Day tells more about Capa’s life with many of his photographs.
Verdict: The authors’ strong feelings for their subject shine in the beautiful writing, and the clear detailing and description of the Spanish Civil War is superb. Both photographs and narrative give history and biography a sense of immediacy with its bonuses of romance and excitement. A must for libraries.
December 2017 review by Nel Ward.
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