Today I took the time to sit down and "read" this book, a record of women that Liebovitz has photographed throughout her career, cover to cover. Some subjects are farmers, some politicians, coal minors, astronauts, athletes, show girls; the range of women included in this book reflects the true diversity of women in the US.

The introduction, written by Susan Sontag, is a commentary on how women are put on display and viewed in the United States at the end of the 20th century. She acknowledges the need to create books like this that create space for women to be seen without judgement, but that if we were to do the same with a series of men, it would seem absurd. Sontag sets the stage in her introduction for us to view these photographs through the eyes of the women included, rather than through the male gaze that judges purely on the outward appearances of the models.

Leibovitz begins the book with an image of her mother, a fitting metaphor for how all aspects of life begin. Each image that follows has that quiet thoughtfulness that gives space for each women to be seen and heard in her image, on her page. These are not images made in passing, not street photography where the subject may not even realize they are being photographed. Each image included is done with intention and the explicit consent of the subject. Each subject is engaged fully with the process of image creation and Liebovitz sets the sitter at such ease, that one is able to know them, feel them, read their story through their gaze that is locked with the lens.

As I was looking through the book, I was surprised at the variety of technical attention to each photograph. Some images are crisp, sharp and well lit, and others, like the photograph of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O'Connor, look like they are done on the fly, well composed, subjects fully engaged, but there no thought to lighting. Even though these images were done on film, no attention was paid to giving them proper exposure, even when they were printed. Then there are the images commissioned by and printed in Vogue, perfectly coiffed, exposed and lit, as contrast to the "snap shot" style of the others.

This book feels like a true compilation of accumulated experiences with women throughout Liebovitz's life. The lack of similarity of style thoguthout the series truly reflects the diversity of life and experience throughout the subjects included in the book.