Let us now praise famous men

Why people recommend it

Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee, featuring photographs by Walker Evans, is a classic work of immersive journalism and documentary literature that meticulously chronicles the lives of impoverished sharecropper families in Alabama during the Great Depression. On an episode of How I Write titled Pulitzer Winning Professor Teaches Me Writing — Jayne Anne Phillips, released on August 6, 2025, guest Jayne Anne Phillips spoke about the book with immense reverence. Phillips praised the collaborative volume created by James Agee and Walker Evans, describing it as an absolute, deathless, and necessary book. Throughout the interview segment, her glowing characterization underscored the profound, enduring impact that this powerful piece of documentary art holds for writers and readers alike. By labeling it a necessary book, Phillips emphasized its vital role in preserving historical truth and human dignity through unflinching observation and brilliant prose. Her endorsement highlights the timeless relevance of Agee penetrating text and Evans haunting photography, which together transcend their 1930s origins to offer a universal meditation on poverty, humanity, and artistic integrity. The mention serves as a reminder of the book enduring legacy as a monumental achievement in American literature and documentary reportage that continues to inspire contemporary authors and academics.