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In Search of Norman Rockwell's America | 
 enlarge | Author: Kevin Rivoli
Publisher: Howard Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $11.00
You Save: $13.99 (56%)
New (36) Used (14) from $8.95
Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 276508
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 128
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.1
Dimensions (in): 11.1 x 9.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 1416595473
Dewey Decimal Number: 759.13
EAN: 9781416595472
ASIN: 1416595473
Publication Date: October 21, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In this unprecedented collection, photojournalist Kevin Rivoli proves that the idealistic, all-American views found in Norman Rockwell's classic illustrations are, in fact, accurate and timeless portrayals of a nation that truly does exist. Some critics argue that Norman Rockwell's images are overly sentimental, old-fashioned, and contrived. Yet it was always photojournalist Kevin Rivoli's belief that the themes that make Rockwell's illustrations so poignant -- patriotism, faith, family, and sports -- are also what make our country so great. Determined to dispel the critics' claims against Rockwell's prolific body of work, Rivoli set out with his camera to visit small towns and capture spontaneous Rockwell moments that celebrate the glory of ordinary, everyday life. In Search of Norman Rockwell's America pairs Rivoli's photographs side by side with Norman Rockwell's iconic paintings, demonstrating how Rockwell's scenes were not just imagined on a canvas since they continue to sensitively reflect the American experience today. Each page of In Search of Norman Rockwell's America is filled with inspiring quotes and anecdotes from those who have been touched by Rockwell, including Arnold Palmer, Dick Clark, Beau Bridges, Dolly Parton, former president Jimmy Carter, and even the original subjects of Rockwell's artwork. A must-have for photographers, artists, Rockwell enthusiasts, and those desiring to slow down and focus on what's really important in life -- embracing those special Rockwell moments.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Didn't move me! January 9, 2009
I love Norman Rockwell but not this book. There is only one and will only be one Norman Rockwell, and to compare want to be photographs to Norman's art is like comparing "Shake and Bake" to one of Julia Child's fabulous Roasted Lemon Chicken with Herbs. Just did not happen for me. I am a photographer by hobby and have studied as well as dabbled in my own dark room. These "comparison" pictures, if you will, fall way too short in my book. I feel no "emotion" when I view them. I would much prefer a coffee table book with JUST Norman's pictures UNCLUTTERED by these mediocre photos. Doesn't make sense to me.
Art Meets Life January 7, 2009
The gist of the book is a comparison of Rockwell's illustrations with real life photographs depicting similar events shot by Kevin Rivoli. Rivoli has an uphill battle in the contest because his otherwise wonderful photos lack the drama contained in a Rockwell moment. Any photographer would have the same problem.
Reading through the book, I tried to give Rivoli his due and I liked a number of the photos, some of the moments are remarkable. Going through it a second time trying to focus only on Rivoli made me appreciate his work more. How Raphael must have felt to have his work in the Sistine Chapel under Michaelangelo.
We're told in the introduction that no particular Rockwell painting influenced any particular photograph and if that's that case, Rivoli must have hundreds of thousands of photographs to choose from, because some of the moments seem like direct attempts at representation.
The art selected here still brings a smile even though there isn't much you haven't already seen. Rockwell had an amazing way of showing action in a still. Has any other artist accomplished so many stories in single moments of life? I'm tempted to frame a few of these, but I wouldn't want to ruin such a nice book.
 The America we Long for... December 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Norman Rockwell's images of American life have resonated with us for generations now. Nearly all of us have seen these iconic portraits of an American life that we universally want to embrace as our own experience.
How many of us have searched for an experience of life in America reflected in Rockwell's captured moments of American normalcy? Even I have gazed at this paintings and imagined the joy of living in these moments.
Kevin Rvioli has done just that. With his own eye and camera, he has photographed this very real version of Rockwell's America. He has successfully captured the spirit of Rockwell's America and what a surprise! Rockwell's America is our America.
Rivoli's skill at matching his captures with Rockwell's paintings is outstanding. Page after page exhibits just how much of Rockwell's world is part of our own.
And perhaps Rivoli has unlocked the secret of Rockwell himself. In place of a camera, Rockwell may well have captured actual moments with his paintings and not an idealized version of America, but in fact a flesh and blood reality that Rivoli shows is alive and well in America.
So take the journey back to Rockwell's America and discover how close it really is.
 Kevin Rivoli Frames Rockwell Expertly December 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"It would be almost anti-American for Norman Rockwell's work to be criticized, no matter how subtle the critique was rendered. Rockwell's work has become a symbol of all that's good in America, and we defend it vehemently. It is not only the America we wish it to be, but the America it is. Norman Rockwell's name should be enshrined as "the artist who rendered back to Americans the image they wished to see." --Edward Asner, from `In Search of Norman Rockwell's America'
Norman Rockwell--either you like him or you don't. It seems only a sourpuss could reject his famous work as the illustrator of `The Saturday Evening Post'. With warmth and good humor, he did for illustrations what Walt Whitman did for American poetry. He, too, seemed to capture the song of ordinary people.
For those who love him and his work, `In Search of Norman Rockwell's America' will seem like an unnecessary defense. Framing Rockwell's illustrations with his own photographs, photojournalist Kevin Rivoli contributes pictures that have merit in their own right. Worthy of those famous collections by Time-Life books, Rivoli's photos are side-by-side companions to Rockwell's best loved scenes. Showing that modern times still have moments of sublime poignancy, Rivoli proves his point in spades, flanking each pair of pictures with a celebrity testimony about the merits and simple joys of Rockwell's paintings.
Beautiful to behold and inspiring for its power to elicit smiles, `In Search of Norman Rockwell's America' is a coffee table book that's hard to put down and easily will be well worn.
great xmas gift December 16, 2008
I get my books from the library - but after seeing this one, immediately ordered it for my son-in -law for Xmas....
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