Boris Mikhailov: Case History

Rating:
Summary: How wealthy we are in the Western World.
Review: First thing is first. Book is in colour. Did I not read that? Do not know, was expecting B&W. Second, 400 pages of which I believe 50+ were provactive and made me think. Provactivity was why I bought the book, and why I suspect others did/will too. Wanted to be woken up from my slumber: to know what it is really like over there. But 50/400 pages is not a high ratio, hence my 3 stars. (To be honest, some of the photos I felt I could've taken myself.) Notwithstanding this, there were some shots that demanded a reality check. How wealthy we are in the Western World...

Rating:
Summary: How wealthy we are in the Western World.
Review: First thing is first. Book is in colour. Did I not read that? Do not know, was expecting B&W. Second, 400 pages of which I believe 50+ were provactive and made me think. Provactivity was why I bought the book, and why I suspect others did/will too. Wanted to be woken up from my slumber: to know what it is really like over there. But 50/400 pages is not a high ratio, hence my 3 stars. (To be honest, some of the photos I felt I could've taken myself.) Notwithstanding this, there were some shots that demanded a reality check. How wealthy we are in the Western World...

Rating:
Summary: How wealthy we are in the Western World.
Review: For me, the only thing this book proves is that in the post-Soviet Ukraine, the homeless can be subjected to exploitation and forced loss of dignity for a small sum of money. The degrading conditions of the people could be shown without having the photographer subject the people to further degradation. By the way, this was the most poorly bound book that I have ever received. Upon the first (and last) reading, groups of 10-20 pages were coming out in handfuls. Not a problem - I threw it away.

Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone, and certainly not for me.
Review: For me, the only thing this book proves is that in the post-Soviet Ukraine, the homeless can be subjected to exploitation and forced loss of dignity for a small sum of money. The degrading conditions of the people could be shown without having the photographer subject the people to further degradation. By the way, this was the most poorly bound book that I have ever received. Upon the first (and last) reading, groups of 10-20 pages were coming out in handfuls. Not a problem - I threw it away.

Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone!
Review: The photos in this book are provocative and thoughtful - but definitely not for everyone. Case History is 400+ pages of Ukraine's poor and homeless - most in various stages of undress. Mikhailov comes through and does an excellent job of depicting certain aspects of the downfall of the Soviet Union - his photos are thoughtful and emotional - but often disturbing. View his other works before spending the money. Not for the weak of stomach!