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Summary: History, heritage and creativity combined in one
Review: Influenced by his love of quilts, photographer Roland Freeman acts as anthrolopologist and quilting historian in this beautiful, comprehensive book. Featuring full color photos of African-American quilts and quilters and well-researched text, this book is a must-read even for non-quilting enthusiasts. The history and cultural heritage of a people have been preserved in this beautiful artform. I found myself moved after reading this book. You will be too.
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Summary: I Loved this book!!!!
Review: It was wonderful to see that Mr. Freeman, traveled around the country to visit and take the stories of these talented artists. I especially liked the quilts of Yvonne Wells.
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Summary: The best.....
Review: Mr Freeman's passion and understanding of the human spirit revealed in quiltmaking is both remarkable and inspirational. This is a book that speaks to all quiltmakers,....it educates, entertains, and inspires.One of my most favorite books. It gets to the heart of a quilt...not about technique and pretty blankets, but about the heart & soul of the men & women who made them.This is a book to be read, and reread again. I have given it often as a gift (to non quiltmakers as well), and their response has been enthusiastic! No one who has read this book doesn't love this book. Roland Freeman has done us all a great service! He curates a traveling exhibit on this subject which I hear is outstanding as well.
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Summary: This book is obviously a work of love.
Review: Roland Freeman deserves to be canonized for this wonderful, insightful and spiritual look at African American quilts and, most importantly, quilters. I have been an "art" quilter for ten years and have read many books on the subject of quilts, both traditional and not-so traditional. Freeman goes beyond the technical perfection that almost all other books honor and shows the artistry inherent in just doing a quilt - with no need for rules, regulations, stitch-counting and other limiting notions. He venerates the people who made the quilts -- who in all other quilt books take backstage to their skills. I was so impressed with him as a writer, a photographer and most of all as a human being that I may never get over reading this book -- needless to say, I highly recommend it!
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Summary: Beautiful book which combines history,art and human feeling.
Review: Roland L. Freeman brings an artist's eye, a folklorist's sense of culture and a warm human being's appreciation to the field of African American quilting.This book satisfies on so many levels I recommend it to anyone with an interest in any aspect of the field. The color reproduction is as good as you would hope for, but this is not a coffee table book. The text is as important, and as excellent, as the pictures. One flaw, unfortunately not unusual these days -- poor to non-existent editing results in annoying errors in indexing, captioning and typography.Nevertheless this is a "must read/must have."
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Summary: African-American quiltmakers
Review: The first national survey of African-American quiltmakers, this book is both a cultural record and a source of heritage. According to PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, "the 300 photographs in this marvelously resonant book bear out Freeman's contention,as does the text." With full color photographs, A COMMUNION OF SPIRITS: AFRICAN-AMERICAN QUILTERS, PRESERVERS, AND THEIR STORIES is a visual delight, and with captivating stories about the quilts and their makers, it is a historical joy. It is "a striking book that belongs under the Christmas tree (or at the Kwanzaa celebration) of anyone who cares about black culture," says the WASINGTON POST. A COMMUNION OF SPIRITS begins with author Ronald Freeman's childhood. It explains how the young boy once warmed by quilts became the man intrigued and then impassioned with the character of quilts, quiltmakers, and their life stories. Freeman is a highly regarded photodocumentarian whose work has been exhibited worldwide. Over a twenty-year period Freeman traveled across America meeting quilters, mostly women, who include writers Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, and Sonia Sanchez; civil-rights activist Rosa Parks; and artist Faith Ringgold. And the result is this wonderfully visual book of their quilts and inspiring stories that record African-American heritage.
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Summary: AWESOME! Breathtakingly beautiful quilts and warm stories
Review: This book is truly awesome. Although I have almost every quiltmaking book in print, the photos here are of the most unique and breathtakingly beautiful I've ever seen. And the accompanying stories about the quiltmakers are at once inspirational and humbling ... e.g., a quilt depicting the lynching of a woman's father, and explanation of how neighbors were afraid to attend the funeral. (Don't let that discourage you; most of the quilts are uplifting and gorgeous by any standards -- and the few sad ones are incredibly moving and meaningful.) I can't imagine anyone not loving this book. Frankly, I was so awed by the gifted artists whose work is contained therein that my first thought was that African Americans have all the talent and creativity (and, no, I'm not an African American). Even if you're not moved by the stories/bios (although I can't imagine not being), you've *GOT* to be awed and inspired by the extraordinarily beautiful and truly unique quilting, which cannot help but enable you to improve your own designs. I wish that there were more stars than 5 ... This book deserves the highest rating imaginable.
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Summary: Pieces of Fine Work
Review: This book thoroughly documents quilting and quilt makers from across the USA. Roland Freeman tells the story of the quilt makers largely through his spectacular photographs. He includes unknown but highly talented artists as well as celebrities who also quilt. The photographs are accompanied with stories from the artists, and these narratives provide a terrific base for understanding why this folk art retains its vibrancy in the 21st century. In many ways, Freeman's photography and writing can also be understood as part of the artistic fabric that he stitches together.
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Summary: Pieces of Fine Work
Review: This book thoroughly documents quilting and quilt makers from across the USA. Roland Freeman tells the story of the quilt makers largely through his spectacular photographs. He includes unknown but highly talented artists as well as celebrities who also quilt. The photographs are accompanied with stories from the artists, and these narratives provide a terrific base for understanding why this folk art retains its vibrancy in the 21st century. In many ways, Freeman's photography and writing can also be understood as part of the artistic fabric that he stitches together.
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