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Gail Buckland
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Shots in the Dark: True Crime Pictures Paperback – October 1, 2001

by Gail Buckland (Author), Harold Evans (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 88 ratings
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Studies the role of crime photography in American history, culture, and law enforcement, presenting such photographs as an autopsy study of Lee Harvey Oswald, photographs of the parents of Lizzie Borden, and mug shots of celebrities.
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  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bulfinch
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    9.25 x 0.5 x 11 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0821227750
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0821227756
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This is a stark exploration, in archival photography and crisp commentary, of the full range of criminal darkness. Prepared by Buckland (who teaches at Cooper Union and is coauthor of The Magic Image: The Genius of Photography, etc.) with commentary by Evans (The American Century), the volume commemorates the 10th anniversary of Court TV along with a documentary series of the same name, which begins airing this month. The book is organized by subject matter ("Crime Scenes," "Killers," "Sensational Cases," "Retribution," "Gangsters," "Presidential Assassins"), while the authors' essays and captions provide deeper discussion of forensic photography's development and evolution in the American consciousness: the '40s noir landscapes of tabloid photographers like Weegee; shocking images from the public domain, like the surveillance pictures of Patty Hearst committing robbery with the SLA; or bootlegged autopsy photos of Dillinger and JFK. The photos are comprehensive and well selected, offering a plethora of jarring images, human horror and guilty thrills. Snapshots of notorious and obscure killers provide concrete portraits of the banality of evil, while the rapist/murderer Harvey Glatman's photos of his bound victims evoke safety's fragility. As this book owes a measure of its flavor and some specific images to earlier anthologies of crime photography, notably Luc Sante's Evidence (1992), it arguably represents an incursion of once-marginal "crime culture" into the mainstream. Buckland and Evans offer an elegantly rendered coffee-table volume of depraved indifference and needless sorrow. 200 b&w photos (Oct.)Forecast: Fans of Law and Order, viewers of the Court TV series and other mainstream crime buffs will line up to buy this slick, attractively produced collection.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

If photo historian Buckland (Cooper Union) intended this to be an insightful analysis of forensic photography, she fails by falling victim to the medium's powerful potential for spectacle. The cover photo of two bloodied male corpses lying in the detritus at the foot of an elevator shaft heralds the book's gruesome content. Buckland's disavowal of voyeurism ultimately rings false. Instead of expanding upon the brief history of crime photography that appears early in the book, she saturates the pages with a repellent tabloid admixture of visuals, devoid of any organizing principle other than shock value. Among the outsized photos are views of the hacked carcasses of Lizzie Borden's parents and the composting skeleton of the Lindbergh baby. Unlike Luc Sante's Evidence (LJ 10/1/92), a haunting collection of antique crime scene photos with a quasi-anthropological focus upon a specific time and place (Manhattan, 1910-19), Buckland's book is adrift between such non sequiturs as Cheryl Crane's 1957 "perp walk," O.J. trying on the glove, and 19th-century hangings. The inevitable coda to this Court TV-sponsored paperback comes with close-ups from President Kennedy's autopsy, the apotheosis of the brutal iconography celebrated here. Not recommended. Douglas F. Smith, Oakland P.L.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bulfinch
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2001
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0821227750
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0821227756
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.82 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.25 x 0.5 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 88 ratings

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Gail Buckland

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
88 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the photography quality of the book fascinating, with one describing it as the most interesting collection of crime scene photos. Customers find the book endlessly entertaining.

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Photography qualityEnthralling
5 customers mention "Photography quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the photography in the book, with several noting the fascinating quality of the selected images, and one describing it as the most interesting collection of crime scene photos.

"Most interesting collection of crime scene photos. Like stepping into the age of the classic gangster and mob boss." Read more

"...Some of the images are compelling - though they can almost all be acquired elsewhere...." Read more

"...If you want this for a conversation starter, an interesting look-through, or maybe some information on famous crimes, you should definitely get this." Read more

"...Gory, horrible, mortal, the pictures selected had a fascinating quality...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enthralling"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book endlessly entertaining.

"...The photos aren't for those unaccustomed to real gore, however they are fascinating...." Read more

"...An endlessly entertaining, if lightweight, morbid concoction." Read more

"Completely Enthralled. this book is amazing." Read more

Book came damaged!
3 out of 5 stars
Book came damaged!
I bought this book brand new and once I opened the package i was pretty annoyed. The side was taped up and the corners are all bent. I got this book for my mother as part of her birthday gift, she's a mortician and loves these type of books. I'm sure she'll still enjoy the book but I wanted to give her something nice and we'll nice doesn't look nice or new...
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amanda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Quality Photographs.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    As someone that loves true crime and is planning to work the field this book is amazing. The photos aren't for those unaccustomed to real gore, however they are fascinating.

    If you love true crime and aren't squeamish, I highly recommend this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Long time shopper
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Most interesting collection of crime scene photos. Like stepping into the age of the classic gangster and mob boss.
    Helpful
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  • The Comtesse DeSpair
    4.0 out of 5 stars Endlessly Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Although light on detail, this book, based on a Court TV documentary, provides a good general overview of the history of true crime photography. Some of the images are compelling - though they can almost all be acquired elsewhere. For example, the images of early 20th century New York homicides are culled from Luc Sante's Evidence. However, if you're looking for an introduction to the Morbid Side of Photography, this is a great place to start. The book is divided into six general sections: Crime Scenes, Killers, Sensational Cases (such as infamous thrill killers Leopold and Loeb and John List who murdered his entire family in 1971), Retribution (such as the lynching of three rape suspects in San Francisco), Gangsters (such as Bugsy Siegel), and Presidential Assassins (such as Lee Harvey Oswald). An endlessly entertaining, if lightweight, morbid concoction.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Steve Beach
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book Exists For Itself: Cannot be Faulted.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book to see folks who had passed away. There were a few, but not so many as the other book. It's not the book's fault for it did not know why I'd bought it and it exists for its own sake and not to be compared to another book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Vasta22
    3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay for some purposes.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    "All over the place", as one reviewer has said, would be accurate. As a crime scene technician in training, I have to admit that I am fascinated by blood. I'm not a bad person, a creep, or a fan of Dexter, but I do love forensic science. So I was hoping to get some real photographs of crime scenes to get an idea of what a good photo looks like.

    This is not it. And, if that was the only problem, I wouldn't care. It's a decent book. However, as some have said, there are not that many photos, and the photos are not "that bad". I've seen more gory photos in a classroom setting. So, if you want this for shock value, you won't get your money's worth. If you want this for forensic science purposes, you won't get your money's worth. If you want this for a conversation starter, an interesting look-through, or maybe some information on famous crimes, you should definitely get this.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Wesley Horton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Tome
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Makes you wonder what ever happened to unbiased newspapers. This shows the gritty reality of crime on the streets without blaming the Conservatives or the NRA. Back in the days when you could gun someone down with impunity. .
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Bree Bri
    5.0 out of 5 stars :)
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Completely Enthralled. this book is amazing.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Steven Murdock
    5.0 out of 5 stars what's not to love?!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Pictures of death... what's not to love?!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • M.L
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superbe livre
    Reviewed in France on February 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Très beau livre, pas pour personnes trop sensibles, public averti.
    Report
  • James Moynihan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating book, all be it a little morbid. Thai is the first I've purchased a second hand book from this seller but I am very happy. Book is near perfect with just a tiny tear in the spine, but all pages were perfect and undamaged. Very happy overall
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  • tank
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent choice for anyone with a macabre fascination with death
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this as a present for my sister who, like me, has a grim fascination with stuff our parents think is distasteful. This is a very interesting book with some really interesting photos and information. It is full of pictures you wouldn't normally get to see. If you are reading this I strongly recommend you buy it. :)
    Report