March 14, 2007
book review — “River of Shadows: Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West”
Historical book reviews » [7] commentsI read a lot of books on San Francisco and California history. And though these posts are labeled “book reviews”, the only books you’ll ever see here are those that I’ve really enjoyed. In short, if you see it here, it’s a great book — I’ve no urge to write about the stinkers! And if you feel moved to seek out a copy for yourself, a click on the image of the book below leads to the website of the independent book seller nearest you. Read on…

Is one allowed to begin a book review with a quote from another book review? A line from the New York Times is printed right on the cover of River of Shadows: “Brilliant … Never less than deeply intelligent, and often very close to inspired”.
“River of Shadows” traces the life and spasmodic career of photographer Eadweard Muybridge, probably most famous for the groundbreaking photographic motion studies of the 1870s. The holy grail of Victorian darkroom alchemists was, at least photographically speaking, to successfully freeze motion onto a chemical plate. Sponsored by wealthy equestrian (and railroad robber baron) Leland Stanford, Muybridge proved decisively that a racing horse’s feet do simultaneously leave the ground — and put the lie to centuries of painterly attempts at realism.
But this ambitious work is far, far more than a simple biography. It’s true subject is, in the stock phrase of the day, the “annihilation of time and space” — the technological transformation of not only the American west, but of the world. San Franciscan Rebecca Solnit paints a vivid, poetic, and meticulously detailed picture of the ferment and excitement of the Victorian technological revolution… and Muybridge’s part in precipitating the inexorable advance of our highly accelerated and regulated modern way of life.
The odd (and possibly brain-injured) life of Eadweard Muybridge provides the main thread of the work, but Solnit does not miss an opportunity to follow other fascinating fragments of the Western drama: Charles Darwin, Emperor Norton, John Muir, Yosemite, Thomas Edison, the “Ghost Dance” of the Modoc War, even George Takei… you begin to flip the pages more and more quickly, wondering what unexpectedly compelling intersection will be uncovered on the next. The photographer’s experiments with image, time and speed lead to him personal glory, heartbreak, and even murder on the way to becoming the godfather of those two most influential “California” institutions: Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
Filled with striking and poetic images, this book manages to combine literary aspirations and scholarly accuracy in a way which unexpectedly results in a real page-turner… there are few in its class. And what’s more, it was handed to me by my friend Paul with the words, “I thought of you the whole time I read it” — nothing like that to prick up one’s ears. And I think you’ll like it too.
Click here to order from an independent online bookstore.
7 responses to “book review — “River of Shadows: Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West””
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Pingback from Rebecca Solnit’s River of Shadows
December 1, 2011 at 5:36 pm[…] from “Wanderlust: A History of Walking,” to “A Field Guide to Getting Lost,” to “River of Shadows: Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West,” the book which brought her to Chicago this November for the Chicago Humanities Festival.During […]
March 14, 2007 at 8:16 pm
This seems like a very interesting story. I have a coffee-table type book with a collection of his photographs but know nothing about the man except that he later inspired many animators to draw from his reference. I’m looking forward to reading this, thanks!
December 1, 2008 at 1:28 pm
thanks!
Rebecca
December 1, 2008 at 6:54 pm
You’re welcome, Rebecca!
I see that you left your bag of adjectives, gerunds and subjunctive clauses at home, but thanks for dropping by. :)
I loved the book, truly, and smile every time I walk by my bookshelf and spot that bright orange spine.
March 5, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I really like that your book reviews aim to unearth more about San Fran. I had no idea Eadweard Muybridge was the pioneer in photography which lead to Hollywood! – will definitely pick this one up!
March 5, 2009 at 5:56 pm
A photographic pioneer, a murderer, an all-around character!
You’re going to love the book …
July 5, 2009 at 7:50 am
As a fellow Englishman and photography fan I am always interested to read of Muybridge and his works. I look forward to this one. Thank you.