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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:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 247805
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 16 more reviews...
 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....
Glass Half Full December 15, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I wasn't a huge Rockwell fan before I got this book. Not that I didn't like his work--more that I just didn't pay much attention to it. This book was an excellent wake-up call as to why I should pay more attention to it, and to other artists like him, such as Rivoli! It was uplifting, heartwarming, and left me with a generally optimistic attitude after reading it. Also, Rivoli's work is incredibly touching, and it was exciting to discover his photography and to be moved by it. I think this book will have a universal appeal to just about anyone, and would highly recommend it as a gift for someone who could use a pick-me-up or who is craving the nostalgia of childhood. The book reminded me of all the great things there are to be appreciated about everyday life.
Exquisite photography accompanies timless art December 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
We all know Norman Rockwell is an extremely talented painter and will forever be a timeless and treasured artist on par with Picasso and Da Vinci. However, what this book does is take Rockwell's famous pictures and pair them with real life photography either mimicking or capturing the essence of the painting in a still life. The photographs themselves would be beautiful alone, my favorite being the one of the little girl driving the soap box derby car with a look of fierce determination. However, when this photo is paired with the Rockwell painting "Marble Champion" to me personally it gives that little girl in me the hope that I can do anything boys can do. The symbolism in what makes the pairings bring out is what makes the book worth buying.
I am by no means an art snob, I know very little about art other than I can appreciate a pretty picture and nice use of color and I happen to like black and white photographs. I know what surrealism is and I can recognize some Van Gough and Edward Hopper and that is the extent of my art knowledge. However, if you are pleased by aesthetics and are a fan of Norman Rockwell, I think this is a nice book for your coffee table and definitely something nice to browse through when you need a bit of hope.
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