Great Images is an excellent collection of photographs spanning the entire 20th century. The scope is worldwide, but with a focus on the USA and its role in the world. Among the photographs are truly iconic images of the century, from World War 2, the US/ Vietnam conflict, the economic Depression, southern segregation, the moon landing, and events spanning all spheres of human activity (including art, science, political events, sports, and family life). The photographs are presented in full page to 1.5 page spreads, mostly in gray scale, although some are in color. The photos are quite striking, and make up one of the best collections of its kind that I've seen. The accompanying text, oddly enough, focuses much less on the events shown than on photography itself -- the power and nature of photographic images, how they are obtained and how presented, and their social and historical context.

The main strength of the book lies in the images themselves, which offer a fine overview of a tumultuous century from the standpoint of a US media outlet. ( )