This book was fascinating to me on many levels. In it, we get a glimpse of the lives of people who live in a small town in Iowa over a 20-year time period. The book started as a two-part project of a man named Peter Feldstein who took pictures of many of the people who lived in his town. He took pictures of them in 1984 and then again 20 years later. After he had taken the second group of pictures he had writer Stephen Bloom interview and transcribe the life stories of 100 of the people he had photographed. It plucked at my heartstrings because it brought back many memories of the small town where I raised my own kids over 20 years. This book was a monumental undertaking but one worth it 1000 times over.

This book was absolutely amazing. My husband checked it out of the library and at first I wasn't really interested in it, until he started reading some of the stories. That sparked my interest and I went back and pour myself into it. It was an amazing undertaking, and I loved the photography, but most of all, I loved the pure, heart felt, and revealing insights into these people's lives. After I finished it, I felt like I knew the entire town of Oxford personally. ( )

I can't believe how much I loved this book. At first, I just flipped through and looked to see how the people had changed from the photos in 1984 to the photos in 2005-2007. But then I went back to the beginning and started to read. And wow. I cried on page 30. And in several other places. Oxford, Iowa, is a lot like my hometown of Blue Mound, Illinois. It's a small town where everyone knows everyone, and that has its perks and downfalls. When tragedy hits, the town rallies around you. But when you mess up, the town knows and gossip runs rampant. These photographs and amazing write-ups tell a great story of an average town in the Midwest. I found myself flipping back and forth to keep the different families straight. And I guessed at the labels of town drunk, town loser, town big shots, etc. It's amazing how fascinating I was by this book. Go to your library and read it! (It's awfully pricey to buy!) ( )

This book is just so fascinating!

In 1984, Peter Feldstein decided to photograph everyone in his town of Oxford, Iowa. He thought it would be interesting and over time was able to get all 676 people photographed. He took all full-length photos with equal lights on each side. These pictures were not great artistically. What was interesting was the variety of the townsfolk, their similarities and differences. He had a few gallery shows at the time.

In 2005, Mr. Feldstein again photographed these folks - or at least as many of the original 676 he could find. Can you imagine those phone calls? He again took full-length photos, this time outside next to a gray wall.

What is the most fascinating about this book and the project is the stories of the people photographed. Mr. Feldstein asked writer Stephen Bloom to talk with about 100 of the people after they were photographed. He got them to tell their life story since 1984, summarized their stories; wrote in first person and made sure each person was okay with what he wrote.

These people are ordinary people yet they are so interesting! Each one has a unique story that is all their own. It is just fascinating to read life stories in short snippets, to see how their bodies have changed over time, and to see how the families have combined and divided.

What struck me is thinking about applying this project in any town or city. Would we find the same uniqueness in each individual's story? I think the answer is 'Of course'! I mean, this is a small town! And yet each person has made different choices, had different life events that shaped them into unique individuals which make up such an interesting town! Just imagine how bigger towns or ones with different life options would provide other unique stories.

But I also noted how similar these folks are to ones I know here or grew up with. Or went to college with. Maybe they look different or have different life options, but the similarities are there across the nation.

Again, it's fascinating to study this book, these people. To delve into a life story told in words and pictures. I will be sharing this book with everyone who comes to my house. You need to get a copy! ( )

I loved this book so much. The photography is wonderful - showing regular people as they really are (not dressed up for some special occasion) - and the biographical stories that accompany them give you are real taste of the individuals photographed and of small town life.

More thoughts here: http://somewhatbookish.wordpress.com/... ( )