Marc Joseph: American Pitbull |  | Author: James Frey
Creators: Cory Reynolds, Marc Joseph
Publisher: Steidl
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
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Seller: midtownscholarbookstore
Rating:  39 reviews
Sales Rank: 626450
Media: Paperback
Pages: 248
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.1
Dimensions (in): 11 x 8.7 x 0.9
ISBN: 3865210945
Dewey Decimal Number: 770
EAN: 9783865210944
ASIN: 3865210945
Publication Date: May 15, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
One of the most beloved dogs of the 20th century, the American Pit Bull Terrier has in recent times become one of the most maligned and misunderstood. Marc Josephs photographic exploration into the culture of Pit Bulls dogs and their people presents an alternative view of the controversial world revolving around this uniquely American breed of dog, and the human beings who live for them. Granted unprecedented access to homes, yards, events, and celebrated figures (including hip-hop recording artists such as Big Boi from Outkast, and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill), Joseph reveals this culture through captivating photographs taken across the United States. Issues of identity are addressed through elements of image, race, pride, and background, while the images simultaneously serve to further an understanding of our perceptions of unconditional love, beauty, danger, and strength. Rich with metaphor, themes of family and shelter are prominent; throughout the series a cast of characters emerges, themselves defining the context of the work. Interviews by Cory Reynolds; with an historical and personal essay from best-selling author James Frey (My Friend Leonard, A Million Little Pieces). in truth, a breathtakingly original view of American Culture. DAVID SCHONNAUER / AMERICAN PHOTO MAGAZINE / MARCH 2005 Joseph may have found the perfect totem animal for contemporary AmericaÉthe often contradictory traits of loyalty and fearlessness, pugnacity and menace, obedience and rebellion EDGAR ALLEN BEEM / PHOTO DISTRICT NEWS / NOVEMBER 2003 I believe it is very important to look squarely at societal issues, and a photographic typology is the perfect vehicle for looking at this one. Mr. Joseph has created a suite of pictures that are as powerful as they are revealing. Seen alone the pictures are tender or frightening or dignified. Cumulatively they are a riveting photographic manifestation of American culture. JOEL STERNFELD, PHOTOGRAPHER AMERICAN PROSPECTS, STRANGER PASSING Marc Joseph's handsomely packaged photography collectionÉAmerican Pitbull is a complicated expression of how objects transform into icons, and how this courageous, unstoppable breed serves as a symbol to owners glorifying those same qualities in themselves. FELICIA FEASTER / CREATIVE LOAFING / ATLANTA, GA 01.08.04 BESTSELLERS (#14) LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER LIST FOR NOVEMBER 23, 2003 American Pitbull challenges facile assumptions... Joseph provides a fascinating visual portrait of the nation's most vilified dogs [which] makes us re-evaluate just who is drawn to these dogs and why. DENISE FLAIM / NEW YORK NEWSDAY APRIL 26, 2004 I am reminded of Bill Owens photographic essay and book, Suburbia. His posed photos of big-haired ladies and empty swimming pools seem deliberately campy. Just when you start to think how desolate these peoples lives must be, you turn the page and there is a portrait of Owens own family. He was not photographing the Other, he captured his own experience and in so doing, marked a point in social history. Such is the case with Josephs work. He did not approach this project from the outside... [American Pitbull] is one mans view of the dogs and their people... a personal journey of his connection to a special breed of dog. LILLIAN SIZEMORE / PROGRAM DIRECTOR, FIFTY CROWS INT'L FUND FOR DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY MARC JOSEPH was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been making pictures since his father presented him with the gift of a camera, at age 17. After college and a year in Paris, he relocated to New York City in 1987, where he now lives and works. American Pitbull is his first book. JAMES FREY is the author of the memoir A Million Little Pieces, a New York Times bestseller that was named the best book of 2003 by Amazon.com. It was subsequently published in thirty countries and became a bestseller around the world. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he and his family live in New York City with their two dogs, one of which is an American Pit Bull Terrier. His latest work, My Friend Leonard, is published by Riverhead. CORY REYNOLDS served as editor of the monograph, Peter Halley: Maintain Speed, and is the former editor of Index Magazine, where she interviewed Abel Ferrara, Isabel Huppert, Jurgen Teller, and many others. Paperback, 8.75 x 11 in./248 pgs / 220 color.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 39
 Not necessarily informational... April 16, 2009
Kristen (Florida)
of the breed or the A-typical APBT owner, I myself having bred/rescued over 5,000+ of them in the past decade. But for those of us who simply adore and identify with the breed the photography is good. Furthermore, it is especially refreshing that is not a stereotypical "ABPT Horror Story" and is more uplifting, albeit moderately.
As much about APBT people as APBTs themselves...May make you think! March 25, 2009
hyaenidae (Northern VA, USA)
At first, my reaction to this book was not positive. There are far too many photographs of people by themselves and there are a few folks in here whom I would not consider to be model APBT owners- not by a long shot.
Then I stumbled across an interview with a person I know. She did my dog's Canine Good Citizen test and is very well regarded in the breed locally. That got me thinking- maybe that's the point of this book. Our breed does have ignorant people in it. Backyard breeders selling overpriced, unhealthy dogs to big names do exist within the APBT breed. There are all kinds of people who are into the APBT world, for a myriad of different reasons. Not all of us are upper middle class suburbanites with white picket fences. Some are, but not all- just as all of us aren't inner-city families, or conformation showers, or dogfighters, etc.
Once I moved past all of the judgmental, classist name-calling b.s. I read in some of these reviews (Side rant- isn't writing someone off because they are tattooed, or pierced, the same as someone deciding that our dogs are aggressive monsters? I, for one, am tattooed and pierced with nothing on my rap sheet past a speeding ticket, and I don't do anything harder than coffee...Really, people, you're being the same as those who would condemn your dogs) I realized that this book does exactly what I believe it sets out to do. It forces you to either love it, or hate it. There is very little middle ground here.
Once I moved past the fact that the book is as much about pit bull people as it is the dogs themselves, I began to appreciate it more. The photos truly are beautiful, and for anyone willing to open his or her mind, the different opinions presented in the book are interesting as well.
Don't get me wrong; the book isn't an instant classic, but if you are someone who considers yourself interested in the APBT breed or the people surrounding it, this would be a worthwhile addition to your library.
I give it four out of five stars (really 3.5) because of the misinformation given in the middle about the origins of the breed. I don't know where Mr. Frey got his info, but it's completely incorrect and far different than anything I've ever heard before. The other reason I didn't rate it a full 5 was because of the initial impression; in a world where we have to prove our dogs (and sometimes, ourselves) innocent, people unprepared to step back and take a hard look at the meat of the book may just take it at face value and not work past the initial reaction they may have to it. In the end, however, I am very happy that I purchased it and will be recommending it to my friends in the breed.
The truth was told January 3, 2009
W. Weston (Saskatchewan, Canada)
This book was right in inciting feelings...the very thing the breed itself does. Some of the pictures, as has been stated here many times, are excessive, but obviously that's life. When a breed becomes popular, they are subject to all kinds of living conditions and the author captures this beautifully. These people with tattoos and gold rings and teeth pictured may look scary to you, but I bet their dogs love them. Just because people hate people doesn't mean these same people hate or beat their dogs. Often, these people find refuge in their best friend and confidant. I did find in the brief history he included, that some of the information was drastically different regarding the way the APBT came to North America, so this is why I took a star away. It's hard to give 5 stars to something that gives information drastically different than millions of other trusted resources on a basic issue. I don't agree with him interviewing backyard breeders, as there is one in there, mentioned before talking about the skinny head dogs, but the UKC breed standard calls for a head that is not overly bulky or takes away from it's athletic nature. So these people, in essence, are breeding for the wrong thing. I also do not like some of the photos just depicting people. The book is supposed to be about the APBT I thought, and could've had more pix of the dogs working, spring or flirt poles or weight pulling or even herding cattle, as well as the lazy couch potatos. But overall, great photographs, a few really great quotes and points, and thanks for bringing to attention some issues!
 both sides of the fence August 3, 2007
Proud Pitbull Mom
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a pitbull owner, there were parts of this book that saddened me. Seeing pitbulls chained up and some of the stereotypical owners that fight their dogs, was not pleasing. However, I thought that some of the editorials from these owners were interesting and although I disagree with some of their views, it was a realistic look at the other side of breeding and owning pitbulls. I found the logic used by some of these breeders, quite dumbfounding. Because pitbulls were breed 200 years ago to fight, it's O.K. to continue this sport. Well, if that were the case, we can say that African Americans were bred to be slaves, but today, is that legal and humane? The government and society doesn't think so and neither is using past history to mistreat and abuse a great and misunderstood breed! So again, some of the commentary was disturbing, but I feel, like a few other reviewers, that this is another book I can talk about to people who are weary of pitbulls and say, "This is another reason to get educated!"
 Disappointing, but with beautiful photos July 12, 2007
Lyn McCloskey (Hoosierville USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The reviews of this book are clearly divided into two camps: those who love the breed and want to see it preserved in a positive manner, and those who love the breed FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS. The pit bull is a magnificent dog that receives a tremendous amount of "bad press" and has all but met its destruction because of the actions of a small yet extremely prolific population of criminals, animal abusers and other lowlifes who want to have a "bad" dog as a means of public intimidation and to boost their own anti-social image.
A normal pit bull is versatile, charming, incredibly athletic, fun loving, and safe to have around other animals and small children. A normal pit bull does not live its life on a short chain tied to a barrel, or chew your baby's leg off when you're not looking. A normal pit bull is not inappropriately and indiscriminately aggressive to just about everything around it. Even in the "good old days", before dog fights were outlawed, unstable and dangerous animals were summarily euthanized.
But today, because of these hoodlums and stupid, cruel people, we now have BSL (breed-specific legislation) in many jurisdictions that unfairly penalizes the animals and their LAW ABIDING owners. Also because of these people, we have a larger-than-normal population of unstable, mental case or otherwise inferior animals that are a direct result of indiscriminate and careless breeding, all for a quick buck and the opportunity to produce the most vicious dog possible. ALSO because of these people, we have experienced the various tragedies and maulings associated with this dog that make front-page news.
Unfortunately, this book portrays the American Pit Bull Terrier mostly in the stereotypical context of those people who love them "for all the wrong reasons". Stereotypes don't arise in a vacuum, and it is precisely because of the people who actually fit the "stereotypes" in question that so many animals of this breed are in the sad condition that we see today. I would give it only one star, but in all honesty, the photography is outstanding. Is that enough of a reason to buy the book? You decide.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 39
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