Informative and even-handed biography of photographer Margaret Bourke-White, whose career blossomed as the photomagazine genre came into its own.

By all accounts, Bourke-White was an arrogant, demanding, manipulative, force of nature who nevertheless gifted the world with hundreds of dramatic, memorable, and moving photographs. The biography also traces her developing social conscience and tracks her defiant battle against the Parkinson's Disease that finally took her life.

Lots of photo inserts in the book, but many readers will probably be motivated to look for more. ( )

MBW was a force to be reckoned with. A pioneer for woman breaking through and being respected and taken very seriously by eve male she came in contact wirh. Not only with her professionalism but backed up with her charm.

To me a few of the most endearing and remarkable impressions is a young girl standing at the school dance with her just awarded prizes in her arms waiting for someone to ask her to dance. No one did. ..at that time. And a middle-aged woman watching her lover from across the room romance another woman while ignoring her. On the other hand, when diagnosed with Parkerson disease she fought it head on.
Some of the bio a bit stiff and too much boring back ground. Skimming huge parts. Lord it's a chore to finish this book. I have never read many biographies and now I understand my aversion. MBW's essence is buried under dull dull dull background.

Yet her life is fascinating from so many angles (yes that is a pun). She notoriously led her life the way she wanted and let no one get in her way. Prehaps she was narcissistic, Prehaps she was solipsistic but she was never dull.

Vicki Goldberg never quite brings MBW to life on these 360 plus pages until the being of the end of her life but her photographs are her legacy.

I may read her autobiography. Prehaps the bright light will shine through. ( )