Historic events in the 100 years 1839-1939 as recorded by the camera. The photographs come to a large part from the authors collection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut_Gernsheim ). Each photograph is accompanied by an informative text with a Foreword by the authors and an Index.
The first image reproduced here is the first ever permanent photograph in the history of photography created 1826 or 1827 by Nicéphore Niépce: a view from his work-room at his country house Le Gras at Saint-Loup-de-Varennes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:View_from_the_Window_at_Le_Gras,_Joseph_Nic%C3... (The reproduced copy has been enhanced: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_from_the_Window_at_Le_Gras,) The first practicable photographic process dates from 1839, the year Daguerre introduced to the public the daguerreotype. The last photograph in this book was taken on the 3rd September 1939, the day Britain entered World War II: An air-raid warden cycling through London a large sign TAKE COVER on his front and back.

All in all it is a fascinating book, even if there are, perhaps inevitably, many photographs of processions of one kind or other and rather a lot of royalty in their fancy dresses. The text to each photograph puts the images into necessary context. Occasionally the authors’ views shine through: I like that as the choice of images can’t have any claim of be objective anyway. This book may well inspire you to find out more about certain historical events and give you a taste for history. (I-14)

A thought: Many of these photographs would have probably been lost had the Gernsheims not collected them. ( )