Women

Reviewers widely praise Annie Leibovitz's photography in this collection, describing it as amazing, beautiful, and extraordinary. Many highlight her remarkable ability to capture the authentic essence and feelings of her diverse subjects, whether they are celebrities or everyday individuals from various professions and backgrounds. The portraits of "regular" women are frequently noted as particularly impactful, conveying their dedication, struggles, and humanity with depth and sensitivity. The book is celebrated as a powerful and compelling visual exploration of women's multifaceted complexity and diversity. Some readers also found Susan Sontag's accompanying essay to be thought-provoking, a "stand up and shout experience," and a valuable contribution to the discussion on gender and inequality.

While the photography garners widespread acclaim, Susan Sontag's essay receives significant criticism from several reviewers. It is described by some as superficial, incomplete, or repetitive, with arguments about patriarchy and gender inequality that, while important, felt better covered elsewhere or seemed misplaced next to the book's celebratory images. Specific concerns include the essay's perceived focus primarily on "White woman-ness" and its failure to adequately address issues of race, class, and diverse sexualities, despite the book's broad representation of women. Some even found the essay to be turgid, contradictory, or bigoted. Additionally, a few readers expressed minor frustrations with the book's layout, specifically regarding the placement of photo captions, which sometimes required searching to match them with images. The presence of nudity also surprised some readers.

Despite the mixed reactions to the accompanying essay and some minor layout issues, the book is overwhelmingly celebrated as a visually stunning and emotionally impactful collection of photographs. It is highly recommended as a powerful and beautiful experience for anyone interested in portrait photography, especially fans of Annie Leibovitz's distinctive style. Readers seeking a diverse and authentic portrayal of women from across various societal roles, captured with remarkable depth and sensitivity, will likely find this book compelling and a significant artistic statement. It serves as both a beautiful visual record and a thought-provoking exploration of womanhood.