Will JacksPo' Monkey's: Portrait of a Juke Joint

This book is filled with some of the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen. Will Jacks manages to make you feel as if you’re drinking a beer with Mr. Seaberry on a regular ole Thursday night in the Mississippi Delta. I was not prepared for how delicate each picture would be - the sweat on a woman’s back, hands you feel like you could hold, smiles that take away the sadness. Will transports you to Merigold, Mississippi, and makes you wish had been one of the lucky ones to have been to Po’ Monkey’s. Can’t wait to see what else Mr. Jacks creates.

How can a book tell a story without using words? Will Jacks has done just that in his book about the life that happened at a small Delta juke joint known as "Po Monkey's ". Just opened the first page and continued. Page after page told more about life than many a southern novel I have read. At the end I had indeed been told a wonderful story...and not a single word!! That is until the photographer's statement at the end. Here Will's quiet demeanor shows as he pays tribute to a father who was indeed proud of the son. Rightly so!

This is such a great book. There are lessons to be learned. If I were a law teacher, literacy teacher or writing teacher I would want to use this book. It encompasses a lot of lessons. Awesome photography. I'm a Mississippian so it was very relatable.

a nice tribute to a unique place. author had plenty of commentary but wish there had been more as he spent a lot of time at bar. however, the photo's were incredible, some of them worthy of being framed.

Have been to this place twice and sad to see it’s closed. The book shows me all that I missed first hand. Received it as a Christmas gift after seeing it in a gift shop nearby. The pictures and narration reflect an extreme dedication to documenting the Po Monkey!

This book is full of amazing images that take you inside this small Juke Joint. If you love documentary work you need to add this to your collection.

Great book about a Delta Icon !

If one were to search for the most qualified person on earth to photograph Po Monkey’s, you would very quickly conclude your search with Will Jacks. He’s a sensitive, talented, passionate, slow, and humble photographer. As a long time resident of the area, and unofficial advocate / educator he has a deep passion, understanding, and love for this place (by which I mean both Po Monkey’s and the Mississippi Delta).While more famous photographers would come by spend an evening in the area, get a drink there and think they had captured something authentic and worthwhile of this iconic institution — he worked for over a decade on this subject. No amount of fame or talent can make up for the difference in depth and soulfulness between a “drive-by” photo, and the understanding that comes from getting to know a people and a place for years.I haven’t yet obtained a printed copy of this book so I can’t comment on the binding or printing. I have however watched this project develop over the years, seen many of the prints in it, and on one occasion was fortunate enough to spend an evening at Po Monkey’s with Will Jacks and watched him work.