Have you heard of Brandon Stanton? How about Humans of New York, or HONY, as people like to call it in these modern days of BFFs and LOLs? HONY defines the most beautiful aspects of our current social media craze. A year ago, I shared a glimpse of Brandon’s story. Brandon spends most of his time on the streets of New York, photographing and telling the stories of people he meets there, which he then shares on his blog and Facebook.
What began as a photo census in 2010, whose purpose was to chronicle neighborhoods and communities through the faces of people who lived there, has now grown to a well-known presence on the Internet whose posts reach more than 15 million followers each day. Last year, Brandon traveled to 12 different countries in collaboration with the United Nations, was invited to the White House to interview President Obama, spent a month in Europe documenting and sharing the story of Syrian refugees, and was named as one of the 30 most influential people on the Internet by Time magazine.
It seems that people are very interested in hearing compassionate tales about the lives of their fellow people. I know it’s my favorite snippet that passes through my Facebook newsfeed. And even though the posts are often short and sweet, I am usually in tears hearing the personal stories of so many. It is always good to be reminded of different perspectives and what people are surviving and accomplishing each day. So, I’ve been so looking forward to Brandon’s latest compilation of beautiful photos and stories of his subjects in book form! Once I’ve read it front to back and then back again, I plan to adorn my coffee table with it for all others to peruse, should they have a few minutes.
And since I can’t have you all over for tea alongside my coffee table and copy of HONY, I’m giving away a copy. Tell us in the comments section below what touches you most about the HONY story and we’ll randomly choose a winner sometime soon.
I would love to receive a copy of Brandon Stanton’s book Human’s of New York. It is so important that we know the good, the heroic, and the beautiful rather than the bad and ugly. Our children need to be exposed to the good, not the bad and the ugly. Thank you for the opportunity to acquire a copy of this most prestigious book. Madelyn Shields
I love the Humans of New York because these are real people who share a bit of their lives with us – the good & the not so good. I often “see” myself, my family, my friends in these interviews.
The current focus of stories from Pediatric cancer patients are always moving and disturbing. My best friend’s sone was diagnosed with cancer at age 17 and the ordeal that he and his family went through for three years was numbing. Thankfully today he remains cancer free and is living a normal life. But, nothing is quite normal for him or his family as the specter of what ifs can never be avoided.
I love to hear stories about other people’s lives. Working in a dental office gives me the opportunity for this. One of my most memorable experiences was sitting with a woman who had lived through a concentration camp during WW2 she didn’t speak of it, but I saw her tattooed number. It left a lifetime memory for me of this woman’s courageous struggle for survival.
As an artist and a blogger and a observer of the world and people, I find this book very intriguing. Would love to have a copy. Thanks for making the offer. Hope it’s mine.
It’s so touching to read real stories of our fellow communities. Many of these stories touch home because they are true and resemble much of what we all experience at some point in our lives. I feel that I connect better to real stories and real pictures rather than a story that has been made up. His stories would be an amazing read. Thank you for the giveaway.
Their story be one we’ve heard before but in HONY we see that everyone really is unique and special and it takes on such a nice compassionate quality to their every day trials or tribulation
This reminds me of another wonderful and touching book that featured the cowboy and western way of life along with photos and stories which I can relate to. All so piquant, heartwarming, beautiful, poignant, and yet nothing flowery woven into the fabric of our daily lives is something full of shared life experiences with the understanding of how individual lives can bring to gladden and lift ourselves through a book such as HONY. It helps us see the goodness in people.
Our world can become so self centered, these stories open our eyes to how others live and face the challenges of day to day life. I appreciate the reminder.
I would love to have a copy of this book. I am such a people watcher and always wonder what their stories are. I always remind myself to be kind to everyone because I don’t know what they are going through . I love how Brandon catches a glimpse of so many people in their every day lives.
HOLY brings out a need in me to want to give more even though I am almost 71 years young. This book would be a delight to me. Peace!!
Oh dear…not HOLY….BUT HONY…
I would love to win this book. I remember reading about this gentleman, but I can’t recall whether it was online – magazine or what. I just recall being very moved.
Thank you.
Pingback: Winner!!! Giveaway: Humans of New York Stories | Raising Jane Journal