A review by larryerick
Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan

3.0

There are few things more guaranteed to be enjoyed than a Timothy Egan non-fiction book. I have read all but one of his, and they all flow easily, educate substantially, and capture their subjects, body and soul. In this case, the book is nominally about the photographer, Edward Curtis. However, it every bit as much about our native Americans, their culture, their fall, their recovery of sorts, their honor, their diversity. This not to say that Egan's portrait of Curtis leaves out anything of the herculean task he took on of documenting in great detail the intricacies of many dozens of North American tribes. And can a man who knew Teddy Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan personally, actually complete a monumental lifetime work...for free? One might wonder why I did not rate this book higher than I did. Perhaps it is because I have grown so used to Egan's fine work. But more than that, it is because the book leaves me hungry for more Curtis photography, salivating for more extensive history of the numerous American Indian tribes. In short, this book just wasn't enough. I need more.