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Slim Aarons: Once Upon A Time Hardcover – December 1, 2003

by Slim Aarons (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 321 ratings
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Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time is a luxurious photography book presenting the ultimate insider’s view of the lifestyles of the wealthy, privileged, and powerful.

“Aarons was a transitional figure at the height of the era of photojournalism, when magazines like Life were read by millions. The public had become fascinated by members of the affluent class, and Aarons captured them in all their splendor.” —Town & Country

Increasingly heralded for his influence, Slim Aarons has established his place in the pantheon of great postwar photographers. It was Aarons who perfected, if not invented, the environmental portrait while photographing the international elite in their exclusive playgrounds during the jet-set decades of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, carrying out his self-described mission: to document “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.”

Sexy women in tiny bikinis and handsome men dressed for dinner, fabulous homes and boats, and splendid pools and gardens are the playground of Slim Aarons’s world. You’ll find style and joy in visiting them in this rapturous coffee-table celebration of living well.

Join the Duke and Duchess of Windsor for dinner at the Waldorf Astoria. Visit novelist Elizabeth Bowen at Bowen’s Court, her ancestral home in County Cork, Ireland. Jump on a speedboat with actor George Hamilton and his beautiful friends. Pulitzer, Vanderbilt, Hearst, and Ford are just some of the bold-faced names who light up this Who’s Who of society.

Presenting Hollywood royalty, European aristocracy, the grandes dames of high society, captains of industry, media moguls, statesmen, and luminaries of various stripes, across a vast geography of opulent and glamorous settings, Slim Aarons’s photographs—some 250 of which are included here—define the legendary class known as the Beautiful People and document a lost era of style, grace, and grandeur.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Abrams Books
  4. Publication date
    December 1, 2003
  5. Grade level
    8 and up
  6. Reading age
    13 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    10 x 1.13 x 12 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0810946033
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0810946033
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Aarons, erstwhile photographer to the rich and famous, has combed his archives to compile a collection of slick, upscale snapshots that vividly capture the lives of the "polo set." After the violence he witnessed as a combat photographer in WWII¸ Aarons decided that the only beaches he wanted to invade in the future were "decorated with beautiful girls tanning in a tranquil sun"-which are amply presented here. Aarons imparts a nearly tactile quality to these razor-sharp images, and every photograph, from the 1950s through the 1980s, is richly evocative of its era. One 1955 photo captures longtime fashion icon C.Z. Guest poolside in typically modest mid-century swimming attire with her son and dogs. A 1964 spread for Town & Country pictures the deeply tanned "young matrons of Palm Beach" in day-glow floral Lilly Pulitzer dresses. In a 1968 picture, fellow photographer Lord Lichfield is shown on the Italian Riviera wearing groovy yellow pants and flanked by Pucci-clad Italian princesses. Aaron's caption notes that "a photographer's life without a wife" seems to agree with the young cousin to Queen Elizabeth. While much of Aarons' work is focused on "horsey" types, he also turns his lens on creative folks. A dashing Gore Vidal is pictured at his Italian villa, the late Gianni Versace is shown at work in his home on Lake Como and Wanda Horowitz, daughter of Arturo Toscanini, is photographed at her father's podium at La Scala opera house in Milan. Aarons' gossipy captions, which accompany each photograph, help make this striking volume a voyeur's dream. 250 color photographs
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Slim Aarons (1916–2006) is now acknowledged as one of the most influential photographers of his generation. During World War II he served as a combat photographer for Yank magazine in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. After the war he became a freelance photographer for many magazines including Holiday, Town & Country, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Travel + Leisure, Look, and Life.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abrams Books; 1st edition (December 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810946033
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810946033
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.32 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 1.13 x 12 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 321 ratings

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  1. Slim Aarons

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
321 global ratings
Disappointing seeing as how this is a coffee table book and intended to be in plain sight all the time but the damage is not inc
4 Stars
Disappointing seeing as how this is a coffee table book and intended to be in plain sight all the time but the damage is not inc
This book arrived mildly damaged on the corners. Disappointing seeing as how this is a coffee table book and intended to be in plain sight all the time but the damage is not incredibly bad.
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Top reviews from the United States

Florida man
5.0 out of 5 stars Slim is the best
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Slim Arrons photos are amazing
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Jeanmarie Olson
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Hostess Gift!
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2012
Verified Purchase
This book, along with Aarons others are must-haves for those searching for the perfect hostess gift for the perfect hostess! They offer a glimpse into a bygone era of priviledge and elegance. I order them in multiples. The quality is top notch, and the books are unavailable in stores. They are unique, and always appreciated.
4 people found this helpful
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Italian Stallion
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book of Bygone Area.
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is easily the best book of Slim Aarons amazing photography. Contains several photos that never were published. Book is broken up into regional sections (NYC, LA, Italy, Palm Beach, Bahamas, etc) with legendary celebrities and socialites. Aarons was a master at getting the glamorous to look beautiful and classy (unlike the fake reality plastic stars of today) at amazing locales. I especially love his photos from the 1950s both in Hollywood and in the USA New England.
16 people found this helpful
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Bonnie L Atkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
Replaced damaged book in two days
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I shop too much
5.0 out of 5 stars What a gift Slim Aaron is.
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
A calm and delightful collection of innocent and charming work. No questionable shock-and-awe spreads. The responsible, feel-good sweetness of a more structured yesteryear. Would make a kind coffee table book.
6 people found this helpful
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Adamson
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful book! I love it!
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Alan G.
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos but some pages were grainy
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Loved the book and the photos. The quality of some of the pages was grainier than I would have expected, however which is why I gave it 4 stars.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Slim Aarons book
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have all of slim Aarons books they are fabulous this book was a gift From me to me love my purchase
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Top reviews from other countries

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Juan Izquierdo
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro Slim
Reviewed in Spain on May 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
Muy buen libro, envío rápido.
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Jim Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
Reviewed in Canada on January 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
The delivery before Christmas was amazing. I have never heard about Slim and was blown away at his work as a photographer. I think we will see more on this artist.
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Coco84
5.0 out of 5 stars Märchenhafte Upperclass Welt
Reviewed in Germany on October 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
Die wunderbare Hochglanzwelt der Sechzigerjahre. Perfekte reiche, weiße Menschen in perfekter Umgebung. Natürlich ist das alles inszeniert, aber doch schön anzuschauen.
One person found this helpful
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Therese Bosna
5.0 out of 5 stars Trip back in time
Reviewed in Australia on July 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
Loved every story associated with the photos of famous people from the past. The photos depict the luxe lifestyles of the rich & famous… beautiful read & escape.
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Auberoque
1.0 out of 5 stars Beware before you buy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
I really do not understand what all the fuss is over this book which i am sure will be like all his others. The photographs are dated and are of poor quality, the subject matter in most cases is taken from some distance so that nothing is really clear (i like detail and this is lacking). Overall i felt a waste of money as i did not get from it what i was expecting and led to expect, and that is detailed photographs of subjects in their homes, their clothes etc. Very poor all round. Photography has changed much over the years and this book is showing its age and lack of sophistication.
9 people found this helpful
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