Book Review!

From the site: http://www.thekentuckycivilwarbugle.com/

Freeman captures spirit of 'Forrest's First'

By Ed Ford
Bugle Editor

“The Battle of Sacramento,” photos by Allen Freeman. Blurb Creative Publishing, 40 pages, soft cover $24.95, hardcover-dust jacket $39.95.

Not surprisingly, a good graphic artist is also a good photographer. That’s an initial reason that Allen Freeman’s “Battle of Sacramento” photo book is so good.

And, as a plus, Freeman designed the 40-page 8 1/2 x 10 book as a coffee-table product, which is impressive not only for the author, but for the Civil War Battle of Sacramento.

Freeman took his photos on the final day of the 2009 Sacramento re-enactment weekend and genuinely catches the spirit of the largest cavalry battle to take place in the Commonwealth. The battle is know as “Forrest’s First” – the first time that then Confederate Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest initiated his famed cavalry charge that would earn him the reputation as the south’s most brilliant commander.

The Owensboro author took more than 400 photos and edited down to 64 images that range from vibrant re-enactment action shots to thoughtful and provoking close-ups of the participants. Every photo should tell a story, and Freeman’s page 23 image of Major Ron Orange, a Federal cavalry re-enactor, particularly does that. The image is the epitome of the grit, determination and bone-weary effort that was required of soldiers on both sides. The photo tells the viewer immediately there’s nothing easy about war.

Allen, who has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Western Kentucky University with a minor in mass communications, has an extensive background in the visual arts. Skilled as a videographer, still photographer and graphic artist, he has been employed as a major advertising associate, has operated his own graphic arts studio and has developed computer action video and web designs. He now concentrates on freelance art and design and edits and publishes comics through his own company, Fan-Atic Press.

And he always has his camera with him.

Freeman can be contacted at 270-993-5202, fanaticpress@yahoo.com or at www.allenfreeman.net