River of Shadows

Rebecca Solnit's 'River of Shadows' is a deeply insightful book that intertwines biography, history, and cultural analysis to explore the life of Eadweard Muybridge, a pioneering photographer whose work in motion studies laid the groundwork for modern cinema.

The book also delves into the broader technological transformations of the late 19th century, tracing the roots of Hollywood and Silicon Valley.

Solnit's narrative weaves together Muybridge's personal crises and innovations with the rapid changes in technology and human perception during his time.