When I began teaching the history of photography, this was the most useful single book available. The writing is dense, but so is the information. I have about worn the book out. My copy is signed: Inscribed to Jim Colson with deep appreciation of his teaching. Helmut Gernsheim, Austin, May 1979.

Th 1970's saw the beginning of extensive photographic publications and of the undoing of the modernist critic base used by both Newhall and Gernsheim. As much as the field has advanced beyond their contributions, we owe them much gratitude for their hard work and the rich base of material they gave us. ( )