I've been in awe of the work of Robert Frank since I was 18. Now I'm a retired photographer. I became one because of him a a few others. This book tells us so many things that you can't know from looking at Frank's unbelievable collection.
Frank had a love of starkness, looked for it everywhere and found it and there are elements of his life that may explain why he was drawn to it. I was fascinated by the realities of his life as discussed here. It's a great book about a terrific artist who doesn't get enough "play".

"…In America people go forward and that’s not a gentle sport…"

Captivating story behind the work and life of Robert Frank. The period beginning with The Beats was especially interesting and from that point on the book became an addictive read. The last third of this book was not only mesmerizing, but instructive in the ways of producing independent and original art. Robert Frank was a fiercely private man, and though eventually well-paid, never driven by the allure of obtaining things nor money. Very much an enjoyable read.

American Witness
The Art and Life of Robert Frank interested me before I even started reading only because of James Franco’s portrayal of Franco on GH back back a few years. I looked up the term “Bobby Frank and ran into Robert Frank, artist and videographer, the same man whom had done the beautiful and truthful photos of everyday life and compiled it into the book The Americans.

Author R.J. Smith does a fine job of sharing the elusivity of Robert Frank and makes you feel his boldness when getting the shots he wants of what captures his artistic eye. A boldness that I admire, I myself being that secretily bold yet trying to be unobtrusive.
Frank used his camera for truth and weilded it as a if it was a weapon for “standing up for one’s [him] self and what he believed.

I could feel the tension when Mr. Smith would write about Frank’s father. He wasn’t how Robert wanted to be, obstinate and selfpossed without fitting in, and yet in a way Robert did become that in the same mold but differently because he didn’t like the limelight. You could lose him as a friend if you talked about him to the press. His privacy was important. I don’t blame him.
I was intrigued by that privacy and still he was a great friend, caring. I don’t think others imagine how someone could be famous and still want to be private . This book describes that character trait perfectly.

Frank’s talent was unobtainable by the average person, he saw things that most people miss. Reminds me of the photographer, Dorothea Lang and her eye for the human plight.
A few things that surprised me- Frank working for The Marx’s Brothers as his first job in his new country. I feel that the various jobs that Robert Frank held could only happen by someone who had drive but also that opportunities seemed given by drive not by a degree. It’s the American Dream to get the jobs you want. Too bad it takes either someone you know or a degree to get it now, not just as Frank did, walk in, prove your worth and wow the boss with your product. Even in the book it showed that changing as bosses started training their soon to be employees by being teaches at the local colleges. I see it like having an apprenticeship and paying the boss for it. Such a novelty idea back then. Now it’s a given. Still it has hand to mouth when the jobs were far and few between assignments.
Another thing that surprised me was the inclusion of other photographers to the book, usually you get people to talk in a biography about your primary subject. Mr. Smith included Frank’s fellow photographers as their own subject and intertwining with Frank. I found that refreshing and informative of the years that Frank was working in. Like an open journal of the talent of any given year.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the writing of RJ Smith and will likely read more of his work.