Let Freedom Ring: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the March on Washington

Stanley Tretick's photographs are, of course, wonderful. That almost goes without saying. He was an exceptionally talented technical photographer blessed with a great eye who had an extraordinary instinct for the telling moment. His photographs capture the majesty of a day when Americans of all races, colors, and creeds massed in peaceful assembly to carry out a uniquely American form of public statement. Just as impactful as Tretick's great photographs is Kitty Kelley's spare and elegant narrative, which captures a moment like no other and conveys its qualities--part church picnic, part protest, part celebration of the human spirit--in ways that can be appreciated by all. This book is a remarkable achievement, and everyone associated with it--from author to photographer to book designer--should be proud of what they've accomplished in capturing a telling moment in our shared history and sharing it--still fresh, still vital, still meaningful--with a new generation of Americans.

loved it

This year was the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. This book is a worthy commemorative of that historic event. Looking back, it was an act of courage to decide to put it on and a miracle that it did occur and a triumph that it was peaceful, moving, dignified and a turning point for the civil rights movement.We will not see the likes of these patriots again. God bless Dr. Martin Luther King and all the civil rights leaders of that era and God bless America today, 50 years later.

Wonderful pictures and text. This is a great book to add to your collection. Kitty Kelley is a wonderful writer and her name only goes on worth plus projects. My wife and I had the privilege of meeting her and she is just terrific. Buy the book, you will not be sorry.

The photography is superb in this historical tribute to the March on Washington! I really like how the text is short but thorough, well written and comprehensible.

The photojournalist Stanley Tretick (1921 -- 1999) is best-known for his photographs of John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1960 and for his photographs of the Kennedy presidency. Tretick became close personally to Kennedy, and his photographs of the Kennedy White House were instrumental in establishing its "Camelot" image.Tretick received special credentials to cover the August 28, 1963, March on Washington for "Look" magazine, his employer. "Look" never published Tretick's photographs which appear for the first time in this new book, "Let Freedom Ring: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the March on Washington" (2013). The book has been published in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic March.Kitty Kelly has written the accompanying text which describes briefly the history leading up to the March, including the Freedom Rides and the Birmingham demonstrations and President Kennedy's proposed Civil Rights legislation. Kelly is the author of several well-received biographies of political figures, including Jaqueline Onassis, Nancy Reagan, and the Bush family and celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra, and Elizabeth Taylor. She also has edited a volume of Tretick's photgraphs of JFK, "Capturing Camelot" (2012)  Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys Tretick's photgraphs are at their best in capturing large masses of people at the Washington Mall and the Reflecting Pool with the passion on their faces and their body language reflecting a commitment to civil rights and to the historical character of the moment. The photographs capture the march in its racial, age, religious, and gender diversity. Tretick also photographed the leaders of the March, the "Big Ten" for the ten sponsoring organizations talking among themselves, leading the assembled participants,and meeting with Congressional leaders before the March and with Kennedy upon its conclusion. The book also includes several photographs of Kennedy that predate the March on Washington.Kelly's text describes the March, its goals, and its leaders in simple, succinct language. She also describes the Kennedy adminstration's cautious approach to the March -- Kennedy initially tried to prevail upon the leaders of the March to call it off. He feared that violence might result which would work a setback to the administration's civil rights agenda. Kelly presents excerpts from Martin Luther King's climactic "I Have a Dream" speech. She also offers short excerpts from the speeches of each of the other nine leaders who proceeded King to the platform. The civil rights leaders and groups included Phillip Randolph, the director of the March, Roy Wilkins of the NAACP, John Lewis of SNCC, Whitney Young of the National Urban League, and Floyd McKissick of CORE, in addition to Dr. King. The four additional "Big Ten" members consisted of three religious groups represented by Mathew Ahmann, National Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice, Eugene Blake, National Council of Churches, and Rabbi Joachim Prinz, American Jewish Congress. The final member of the Big Ten was Walter Reuther of the AFL-CIO.It is valuable to have Tretick's photgraphs of the March on Washington preserved and made easily available in this book. The excerpts from each of the speeches, sometimes overlooked, are also an important feature of the book. The book offers a good basic overview of the March on Washington for those readers unfamiliar with it. The book may encourage readers to think about the March's significance and to learn more.Robin Friedman

Fantastic photos and excerpts from different speeches given by members of the "Big Ten". I really was not acquainted with the "Big Ten" until I read this book, which is truly a shame. Most of us focus, of course, on Dr. King or maybe A. Philip Randolph, but forget that others were also involved in the 1963 March on Washington. Many famous and fine leaders and orators, and thousands of other everyday folk. Fine photos from Tretick grace the pages showing many different people who, at least for this one glorious moment in time, allied themselves peacefully to shake the foundations of racism and Jim Crow in 20th century America. Well worth the time. The prose and the photos together are easy to get through but tell such a vivid, heart warming story. Those of us in 21st century America would do well to review and revisit this important time in our history. So much of the love, charity and grace that characterized the 1963 March seem to have disappeared into a cynical dog eat dog world of hate and mistrust. Those of us who remember this, or better yet, those who attended, would be remiss if we did not insist that generations following the march were to read this wonderful work.

An absolutely wonderful book of photographs and images, some never seen before. Highly recommend this book for those looking for images/photos of the March on Washington. Give this book 5 stars.