In Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis, Pulitzer prize-winning author Timothy Egan reveals the life story of a man determined to preserve a people and a culture.

Edward Curtis was charismatic, handsome, a passionate mountaineer, and a famous photographer, the Annie Leibovitz of his time. He moved in rarefied circles, a friend to presidents, vaudeville stars, and leading thinkers. He was thirty-two years old in 1900 when he gave it all up to pursue his Great Idea: to capture on film the continent's original inhabitants before the old ways disappeared.

Indiana Jones with a camera, Curtis spent the next three decades traveling from the Havasupai at the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the Acoma on a high mesa in New Mexico to the Salish in the rugged Northwest rain forest, documenting the stories and rituals of more than eighty tribes. It took tremendous perseverance - ten years alone to persuade the Hopi to allow him into their Snake Dance ceremony. The undertaking changed him profoundly, from a detached observer to an outraged advocate. Eventually Curtis took more than 40,000 photographs, preserved 10,000 audio recordings, and is credited with making the first narrative documentary film. In the process, the charming rogue with the grade school education created the most definitive archive of the American Indian.

His most powerful backer was Theodore Roosevelt, and his patron was J.P. Morgan. Despite the friends in high places, he was always broke and often disparaged as an upstart in pursuit of an impossible dream. In the end he fulfilled his promise and made the Indians live forever.

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Author: Timothy Egan    Publisher: Mariner Books    Published October 9, 2012    Paperback, 384 Pages

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can Manfrotto MOVE Quick Release Catcher System Set be used on all Manfrotto's tripod?

A: It has a 3/8" thread which is standard to all tripods, even beyond Manfrotto.

Q: 2. Explore 30 can fit in

A: Unfortunately Shimoda Designs Large DV Core Unit would not fit in the Shimoda Designs Explore 30 Backpack. the exterior dimensions of the dividers are (WxHxD) 11.4 x 15.0 x 8.3" while the interrior of the explore 30 backpack is (WxHxD) 17.32 x 11.42 x 6.69".

Q: 3. Does system has a ball bearing so it moves freely?

A: This is a device for quick and solid attachment. Sent the your camera where you wish is to be. This quick release is not meant for further adjustment without detaching.

Q: 4. is this case tapered to one end ie; 6.7" down to 5 or 5.5?

A: Yes, it is tapered.

Q: 5. Will this unit fit in an Explore V2 30L along with the medium mirrorless core unit?

A: The Shimoda Designs Core Unit Insert (Small, Parisian Nights) will not fit in the Shimoda Designs Explore v2 30 Backpack Photo Starter Kit with the Medium Mirrorless Core Unit.

Q: 6. after repeated use, how does the Velcro hold up in these core units?

A: It holds up extremely well. I own two Shimoda bags and their inserts are incredible.

Q: 7. Does this work well on monopods for sports photography? Also, does it work well with the Skytracker Star Adventurer 2i?

A: The Manfrotto MOVE Quick Release Catcher System Set (2-Pack) will work on monopods, and it is compatible with the Skytracker Star Adventurer 2i.

Q: 8. Can this be used with the Manfrotto 608 video head?

A: Yes, the Manfrotto 608 will attach via 3/8 male thread.

Q: 9. Will this hold a GFx100 with a 32-64 lens and extra lense?

A: Yes, the Shimoda Designs Core Unit Insert (Small, Parisian Nights) can fit the Fuji GFX100 with the 32-64mm lens attached. There is room for a second lens too, but it would depend on which lens specifically.

Q: 10. Has anyone configured this insert to hold a Sony A7 series body with a 100-400 lens and the 1.4 extender all connected. Please send an image?

A: While we have not tested that exact set up, I am confident it would fit. The total length of the camera, teleconverter and lens would be about 12.5 inches and the case has in interior dimension of 15 inches.