The heart of our country
February 23rd, 2009 Liz - Central Library
American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country is one of the few books I’ve encountered that couples truly outstanding, huge, pictures with essential reading. Photographer Paul Mobley traveled around our fine land for a couple of years, spending time with the farmers that grow our food and raise the meat we eat. Here they are, in their own words, sometimes describing the farming lifestyle, sometimes the actual work they do, and often how their family works together to have success at farming.
I was interested in the book when I saw the cover in a magazine. I ordered a copy when I saw the author on Martha Stewart with a few of the featured farmers. I was thinking I’d enjoy flipping through the pictures. But once I got started I became committed to reading all the essays (though I eventually gave up on reading every ranching essay.)
I couldn’t put my finger on why this was such a compelling book to me until I read his afterword. In many cases, Paul stayed with the family for a day or two or three: eating with them, walking the land, and just visiting. He believes (and I believe he is right) that those conversations and time spent together improved the pictures. Now that I’ve been made aware (thanks Ms. Tabori!) of the efforts of Katrina Fried, author of the text, I’d say perhaps these trips also allowed her to capture a more personal style of essay from the farmers.
I’ve edited this review since its posting, at the site editor’s request, to reflect that I now know what I didn’t while reading: Katrina Fried interviewed, transcribed, and edited the conversations with the farmers so well it just sounds like they are talking directly to you.
Its really a wonderful book, and I suspect readers in Madison, who are already so committed to supporting local farming, will find it enthralling.
Entry Filed under: Nonfiction
4 Comments Add your own
1. Lena Tabori | February 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Hi Liz:
As publisher of American Farmer, I was enormously pleased that you liked the book so well. I did want to point out, however, that the text was written by Katrina Fried after she spent many hours interviewing and transcribing and finally editing her conversations with the farmers and ranchers that Paul had photographed. Best and thanks again for your compliments.
Lena Tabori, Publisher
2. Citizen Reader | February 23rd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
But there was not one picture in it of any Wisconsin farmers! As a Wisconsin farmer’s daughter, I was not pleased. But I tried to get over it–it is a pretty cool book. Have you also seen Peter Feldstein’s “Oxford,” with photographs from the small community of Oxford, Iowa, and its residents’ stories? Great stuff.
3. liz | February 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am
yes.. that is a disappointment. And there were a LOT of ranchers. But I loved the book anyway.
The Oxford Project by Peter Feldstein is fascinating too: I love projects where a photographer returns to a previously photographed site to see what has changed (and what has not.)
4. Citizen Reader | February 24th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Ah, the “Oxford Project.” I knew I was getting that title wrong. Thanks for fixing it!
I got kind of tired of the ranching stories too.
But I am pleased that the publisher commented–let’s hear it for publishers who are so on top of their jobs and their readers’ interests!
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