"Clarence John Laughlin, Prophet Without Honor" A.J. Meeks. Jackson: Univ. of Mississippi Press, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-1-57806-909-5
30 greyscale illustrations.
(I am not Meeks, nor am I connected with the book)
Laughlin is called the father of American photographic surrealism. His best-known work was "Ghosts Along The Mississippi". He produced hard, sharp images of ruins, poverty, decay and mourning in south Louisiana and New Orleans. This book is not the best exhibit of Laughlin's works, that would be "Clarence John Lauglin, Haunter of Ruins". This is rather a biography of an uncompromising, often angry artist. Laughlin also was noted for his lengthy descriptions attached to each picture. He wanted you to see the image his way, not leaving much room for indvidual conclusions. In sum, a good read that illuminates not just Laughlin's life but the mileu of American experimental photography in the 20th century.