Visions of America, Vol. 1 by Joseph Sohm

From the Publisher

Visions of America addresses a single question: How do you photograph democracy?
After all, democracy is an 'idea' and not something one can easily wrap one's lens around.

But photographing democracy is indeed what Joseph Sohm has done in this epic journey across the 50 states. To capture this country's incredible diversity, Sohm framed his national work as George Seurat might a pointillist painting.

With each photograph, an individual dot was applied to his American canvas. Spanning three decades, tens of thousands of images were assembled in what becomes a compelling mosaic. Sohm takes us on an insightful journey down the back roads and byways of the U.S., which ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of who we are as a nation.

Visions of America is a sweeping portrait of life in the American democracy, a portrait that shows us the United States. With a foreword by legendary travel writer, Paul Theroux and lyrics by two of America's most distinguished songwriters, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Visions of America is a work of historic significance.

Library Journal

This is more than an amazing book—it is an epic work so breathtaking that it is nearly beyond written description. Sohm brings more than 30 years of experience and devotion as a historian, teacher, photographer, and writer to bear on this monumental pictorial work capturing the breadth, depth, and subtlety of American culture. Clearly a labor of love for American people, places, and history, the book is the expression of a lifetime, both sprawling and intimate, spanning three decades, 50 states, and 1300 images of the people and places that constitute the very heart and soul of America, from its bustling cities to its smallest farms. VERDICT An epic achievement not only in documentary photography but also in social and cultural history, this will be a delight for the general public, scholars, and photographers. Most highly recommended.—Raymond Bial, First Light Photography, Urbana, IL

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