Chain Link

Lee Friedlander is celebrated for his ability to weave disparate elements from ordinary life into uncanny images of great formal complexity and visual wit. And few things have attracted his attention--or been more unpredictable in their effect--than the humble chain link fence. Erected to delineate space, form protective barriers and bring order to chaos, the fences in Friedlander's pictures catch filaments of light, throw disconcerting shadows and visually interrupt scenes without fully occluding them. Sometimes the steel mesh seems as delicate as lace; at others it appears as tough as snakeskin. In this book's 97 pictures, drawn from over four decades of work, it recurs as versatile, utilitarian and ubiquitous--not unlike the photographer himself.

Handcuffs and Chain Link enters the immigration debate by addressing one of its most controversial aspects: the criminalization both of extralegal immigration to the United States and of immigrants themselves in popular and political discourse. Looking at the factors that led up to criminalization, Benjamin Gonzalez O’Brien points to the alternative approach of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and how its ultimate demise served to negatively reinforce the fictitious association of extralegal immigrants with criminality. Crucial to Gonzalez O’Brien’s account thus is the concept of the critical policy failure—a piece of legislation that attempts a radically different approach to a major issue but has shortcomings that ultimately further entrench the approach it was designed to supplant. The IRCA was just such a piece of legislation. It highlighted the contributions of the undocumented and offered amnesty to some while attempting to stem the flow of extralegal immigration by holding employers accountable for hiring the undocumented. The failure of this effort at decriminalization prompted a return to criminalization with a vengeance, leading to the stalemate on immigration policy that persists to this day.

First published in 1979, Bike Touring introduced tens of thousands of riders to the joys of bicycle travel, and quickly became the go–to reference for an entire generation of bike–touring enthusiasts. But much has changed in the last three decades—and this fully revamped edition provides authoritative information on both the latest equipment and the ever–expanding universe of touring options for a whole new generation of riders. Readers learn how to train, equip, plan, and pack for tours of any length and difficulty, from overnight trips near home to multiweek journeys abroad. Author Raymond Bridge surveys the wide range of touring options, which now include extensive commercial offerings and roof–to–roof (or "credit card") tours, as well as independent, self–contained travel. Chapters covering bike styles—road, mountain, and world–touring models—along with bike frames and fit, drive trains, wheels, brakes, saddles and handlebars, and accessories, offer up–to–date guidance on the myriad equipment choices from the booming bike industry. And chapters on camping, transporting bikes, and roadside repairs are full of expert advice to help both novice and experienced bike travelers get maximum pleasure from any journey while saving money and staying safe.