‘Born Ready’ is the latest in the All American series, produced by Bruce Weber and his partner Nan Bush that attempts to show contemporary America.
The volume starts with a poem from Native American writer Sherman Alexie. According to Weber while the poem ‘looks to the future, it reflects living in the past’ which is perhaps a perfect way to look at the entire All American series.
For there is a nostalgia in the book for an America that perhaps only ever truly existed in the editors minds
Chiseled jaws, sculpted bodies and tow colored hair abound. It’s a world of the young, beautiful, upbeat and athletic, each of who always seem to be on the verge of falling in love.
There are however attempts to show diversity. For example ne strand of the journal focuses on a high school prom in Nebraska another on a gay marriage, in an attempt to give some idea of what America has always been and what it is becoming.
‘Born ready’ will forever be heard from the lips of Jack Burton (Big Trouble in Little China).