Sleeping by the Mississippi

"Sleeping by the Mississippi" is a monumental photobook by Alec Soth, featuring a series of road trips along the Mississippi River. The work explores the American landscape, capturing an eclectic mix of individuals, interiors, and scenery. Published by Steidl in 2004, the book is noted for its large-format color photographs and is considered a defining publication of the contemporary photobook era. It includes essays by Patricia Hampl and Anne Wilkes Tucker. The imagery evolves from a series of road trips, presenting an eclectic mix of individuals, landscapes, and interiors that capture America's iconic yet oft-neglected "third coast." It is an evocative exploration of the American spirit and the physical geography of the river, documented through large-format color images that emphasize both the intimacy of portraits and the vastness of the environment.