How is it that walls; borders; boundaries-and their material and symbolic architectures of division and exclusion-engender their very opposite? This edited volume explores the crossings; permeations; and constructions of cultural and political borders between peoples and territories; examining how walls; borders; and boundaries signify both interdependence and contact within sites of conflict and separation. Topics addressed range from the geopolitics of Europes historical and contemporary city walls to conceptual reflections on the intersection of human rights and separating walls; the memory politics generated in historically disputed border areas; theatrical explorations of border crossings; and the mapping of boundaries within migrant communities.
#3992517 in eBooks 2012-04-30 2012-04-30File Name: B00CLJ3ZRS
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very Well done - Excellent Organized and Fascinating ReadBy TalviMaryland in Black and White is a beautiful collection of images showcasing life in the State from 1935 to 1943. The images are documentary - taken by a group of photographers and sponsored by government agencies of the time. The book groups images by locations: Central and Western; Chesapeake Bay/Tidewater; Eastern Shore Agriculture/Industry; suburb/city/highway/greenbelt; Baltimore. And then by subject as well: Leisure/Recreation; Maryland Goes to War; Wartime Preparedness; and Life on the Home Front.What I especially appreciated about this book is that there is research done on each of the above categories giving context to what we are seeing. The chapters are prefaced by paragraphs detailing the socio-economic history of that chapters area and the issues faced by the populace. It really helps to understand why the images that were chosen out of the 8;000 made it into the book and why they were emblematic; symptomatic; or simply great storytelling of the era.The images are all obviously very carefully chosen for their social commentary and showcased large; often spanning two pages. The author went for quality over quantity and I really applaud Ms. Schulz for her selections. Although of the era of Dorothea Lange; they feel less staged and much more candid - giving them a great feeling of honesty and resonance with the viewer. These are by no means artistic marvels - nor were they meant to be when shot. All are technically excellent but the photographers were looking to document not create a masterpiece (not surprising since they shot some 43;000 images). So yes; there are telephone poles going through heads or cut off body parts. But there are also some real gems in there. A couple in the early 40s with their trailer home out camping. A man sitting on the roadside next to an overturned truck and a sign next to him reading; "Danger; industrial crossing." An amazing shot of war-time shipyard at night; lighting up an industrial haze. Sharecropper children sitting on a porch smiling after a paragraph describing the appalling conditions they lived in and solutions sought from New Deal incentives. And so many more. Each image in the book is an amazing story.This book should appeal to a lot of people: Photographers; absolutely. Historians definitely. And of course; those who live in Maryland. But really; this is a fascinating portrait of a State that represents so much of America in one small land area - ishing; agriculture; heavy industry; big City; small towns; and more. And this is an unparalleled glimpse into America in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Really; it resonates beyond that small State and feels like a portrait of pre and post world war II United States life.I received this as an advance review copy from the publisher - it is due out in October.