Alison Wright (1) (1961–2022)

Human Tribe is a stunning photography collection that showcases the true diversity of our planet. The majority of the photos are from places in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, with a few being from North America, and Europe. It show everyday people immersed in their own vibrant cultures. From bright clothes, scant clothes, and elaborate jewelry, to the full body coverings of Muslim women, and one very tastefully done with no clothes, one can get a full appreciation for the show more range of people and cultures the world over.

This brilliant collection tells its story through its pictures. There is no accompanying text save that which tells the location the picture was taken. This book is great even without that, but I'd love to know the adventures Wright had while taking these pictures. From the serious to the delighted, emotion radiates from the people as they engage the camera.

The book ends with a beautiful quote:

"Compassion can be put into practice if one recognizes the fact that every human being is a member of humanity and the human family regardless of differences in religion, culture and creed. Deep down there is no difference."
~The Dalai Lama

That quote and these pictures crystallise what should be so obvious to people, yet isn't. We are all one species. Our cultural diversity is a gift to be treasured, not used to treat other as 'different’ or 'wrong’.

This is one book I plan to get a hardcopy of, and make a gift of. A wonderful addition to any library, home or public.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Schiffer Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. show less

Human Tribe is a collection of photo portraits of people from all over the world such as Norway, Tibet, Ethiopia, Japan, Cuba, and Pakistan. Babies to the elderly gaze with piercing eyes that feel as if thy are looking out of the page directly at the viewer. The vibrant colors show unguarded moments of beauty. The author, Alison Wright, points out that humanity has the same simple needs: love, purpose, food, education, and freedom. The introduction states, "This book is a celebration of the show more universal human spirit within us all." It has encapsulated this thought to the fullest. Well done! show less

Portraits is a bit of a misnomer, as descriptions to the pictures are rather cursory, more what the photographer was doing rather than the story behind it, and located at the end of the book, making it a little difficult to put story to image. The portraits themselves, though, are beautiful, and presented in interesting ways--often, two startlingly similar faces will look out from different portions of the world, and readers find themselves literally face to face with just how similar we all show more are. show less

Very inspiring story from a photojournalist who has seen the world and then has her entire life changed by a tragic bus accident in Laos. Though not Buddhist, she relies on the Buddhist faith, breathing techniques, and meditation to heal herself, though her doctors claim she will never walk again. She proves them wrong and then some.