Books

An absorbing story of conquering fate, longing for freedom and realizing the American dream. Post-war Kraków and the artistic underground. The New York of Mad Men, the city of jazz, great dreams and unlimited possibilities — all of it preceded by a small child’s survival of the Kraków ghetto and Auschwitz.

Horowitz describes the meaning of chance and destiny, a difficult path to success and the power of great love. He writes about the ruthlessness of the advertising and fine-art worlds, his lifelong friendship with Roman Polanski, and his friendships with Dave Brubeck, Richard Avedon and other creative giants who shaped his life.

Photographs of the Polish jazz scene of the 1950s and the American legends Horowitz met after arriving in New York: Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, Coleman Hawkins, Aretha Franklin and many more.

The disc in the back cover includes a 2007 visit with Dave and Iola Brubeck at their Wilton, Connecticut home, Brubeck performing “Dziękuję” at the Newport Jazz Festival, and nine audio tracks.

A comprehensive anthology of Horowitz’s career, from the darkroom photocompositions of the 1960s to his digital work. There are no chapters: one continuous section of images and his own words, with a chronology of his life and work at the back.

More than 100 colour reproductions alongside the story of his life, with anecdotes from friends including Roman Polanski, his childhood playmate. The book won the national book award in Poland.