As this is a book about photography I cannot review it as the download options prevent the photographs from being shown. Please provide another version for review.
Thanks!
Debra

This is a very interesting and insightful look at the architecture and history of the South Side of Chicago. The photography is beautiful and the stories are great!

This is an incredibly well-written and impeccably researched book. However first, before I review it, I want to put a disclaimer out there that as a white person, I'm probably not the best person to be reviewing it. But I'm in this position, and I have to review it a little bit. And I think this book is very good. Clearly, the author feels passionate about this subject. He begins his writing by remembering a time when he went for a drive with his father through the South Side of Chicago, and taking notice of all the well-crafted and unique architecture that was being pointed out to him. This little peek into his past, no matter how small, sets up the book and provides an underlying theme - how these buildings on the South Side are disappearing in less than a generation due to the lack of recognition from a discriminatory world. There are dozens of buildings touched upon in this book, all having unique features and histories that deserve to be preserved, but are victims of systemic racism and lack of respect by the greater Chicago community. But let me tell you this: there are two identical schools, one one the North Side and one on the South Side. Almost exactly the same, both in design and age. One of them is recognised as a landmark; the other is not. I'll let you take a guess which one is which. Or, another fierce indication: a documentary that heavily features the work of Eero Saarinen, specifically his work on universities, yet excludes the D’Angelo Law Library on the campus of the University of Chicago, conveniently located on the South Side. There are so many buildings that have been destructed, or abandoned, or mistreated, that it is not even possible to go into extensive detail about any of them in this book. This is not a fault of the book, but instead points again to the problematic nature of the topic the book promises to cover.

The way the author writes is like that of a cool uncle - one who is keenly aware and familiar with modern day slang. Although he does not use it, he does cheekily poke fun at it. It is because he writes this way that makes this book more accessible to younger people, or even just those who are uncomfortable with academic language. Because this isn't particularly an academic book. It's a cross between a casual coffee table book and one with a really important and crucial message to share. And the passion for the content is incredibly clear - the author's way with words exudes ease, as if he has been waiting his whole life to write this text.

I understand that this type of book is not for everyone. You do actually have to care about architecture even just a little bit, but it is so much more than that. It outlines an underlying problem that many may not recognise, some because they don't realise it is happening, but others also because they don't believe it exists.There is one particular passage near the end of the book when it is revealed that the beautiful limestone exterior of a historically black church was removed and relocated to form the exterior of a church in a largely white town near the Wisconsin border. If that doesn't emphasize to you how problematic this really is, I don’t know what to tell you. Instances like this, of which there are dozens, is why this book needs to exist and be shared with the world.

Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side by Lee Bey is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. Inspired by Bey’s 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial exhibition, Southern Exposure visits sixty sites, including lesser-known but important work by luminaries such as Jeanne Gang, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Eero Saarinen, as well as buildings by pioneering black architects such as Walter T. Bailey, John Moutoussamy, and Roger Margerum. Pushing against the popular narrative that depicts Chicago’s South Side as an architectural wasteland, Bey shows beautiful and intact buildings and neighborhoods that reflect the value—and potential—of the area. Southern Exposure offers much to delight architecture aficionados and writers, native Chicagoans and guests to the city alike.

Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side is a lovely book of photography with well written and interesting information about the buildings pictured.The tone was very conversational, making it an enjoyable read. It was very interesting to learn about the history surrounding some of the locations, as well as the current uses, and hope for the future. I have never been to Chicago, and have no current plans, so I was glad to see a piece of the city, particularly since it does not always receive this kind of attention. I think those from the area, and those that are interested in architecture, photography, and Chicago's history will all get a great deal from exploring this book.

<i>Southern Exposure</i> by Lee Bey analyzes the differences in the Chicago's North and South sides through the lens of historic architecture. By relating the stories of great buildings, he traces the development of the city, particular the black neighborhoods to the south, the changes in demographics, and unequal attention given to areas of the city through the years. His photography is excellent (and I wish there was more of it!!) and his writing is easy to digest and passionate. Highly recommend for architecture fans, Chicagoans, and those interested in the growth and development of urban environments.

Visually stimulating while also being informative, SOUTHERN EXPOSURE is great for anyone interested in architecture, photography or Chicago and its history.