Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats
by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry
Published by Published by Doubleday
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Every once in awhile a book comes along and simply takes your breath away. Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry is just such a book.
Craig Marberry tells us that black women would "rather attend church naked than hatless." The hat, flamboyant as it might be, is an African-American custom that is observed with deep passion.
The book is filled with black and white photographs of everyday black women in their favorite hats. Accompanying each photograph is the owner's story. The photographs are stunning and show not only each woman's taste in hats, but also their owner's beauty and personality. They are their crowns. The stories will make you smile, warm your heart and make you long for a hat of your own.
I love hats and own some beauties. But my hats don't hold a candle to those in this book. This volume was given to me by my dear friend, Sugar and holds an honored place in my vast collection of books. Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats is an Armchair Interviews must-read, must-have recommendation.