Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s-1950s

The poor reviews did not deter me from wanting to own this collection. It is an extraordinary one and I am at a loss how/why these images have survived and the two collectors have done a wonderful thing in persevering with their search.However, I too am mystified with the presentation. I have a number of photo books and none is so cack-handely presented as this one. Many images are just too large - "big" is not better. Surely reducing the proportions to leave room for a page number (many are missing) and the details would not have detracted anything from the image in the slightest. But switching from image to the back pages to read the info was thoroughly annoying. I would also add that it might have been better to arrange them by photographic method: all the tintypes; photobooths; postcard etc.

excellent

This was my Christmas gift to myself, I opened it this morning, Christmas Day.What a remarkable and beautiful book - uplifting, moving, astonishing. These ostensibly everyday images are so much more, filled with love, casual, queer defiance and truth, and, as we're told, truth is beauty. The images document and reveal how we're part of, and apart from, society and history. The illegal love of men for men is in all the many photographs, made visible and palpably delightful through often small, codified gestures of affection, trust and love: the placement of a hand or just a finger, the stray entwined legs, a kiss. Turning the pages, one sees the past rush away, we become they, they us - it's a miraculous sensation.The book itself is most handsome, every detail considered: paper, layout, typeface.Possibly the best thing that's come from this admittedly ramshackle, damaged year. Do yourself a favour and buy it as many times as you have friends in this world. Love is the greatest gift.

I bought this book for my partner on our 7 year anniversary. I decided to flick through it and realised the strength and power these couples had. It mustn’t been easy over years of law and faith saying we are an abomination.This book shows more then love it shows not matter what or where you come from love powers through. The picture hit me right in the feels because law would state they probably never ever married and when one or the other died they would be shut out and left with nothing. You can feel the emotions in this book very powerful. Definitely buy this book. Yes it is a book with pictures but the emotions and struggles in some of their faces hits you hard.

Very evocative of all those secret lives lived in the shadow of fear

Simply a fantastic collection of photographs from a span of 100 years, documenting the untold stories of men who were brave enough to record their affection in photographs. A reminder that even in the toughest of times, when homosexual relationships were at best not talked about, and at worst illegal and dangerous; these brave souls were dedicated to their loved ones enough to risk recording it on film. One can only sit and imagine the tales behind each photograph.

still enjoy looking at book

I'm very much into LGBT history and this book is an excellent addition to my collection of books and films. Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s-1950s is something every photography enthusiast can enjoy.