Author Description

Rise Above: On Top of Stone Mountain is a profound photographic exploration by Jean Shifrin, capturing a decade of moments on one of Georgia's most iconic landmarks. For the past ten years, Shifrin has hiked the one-mile trail to the top of Stone Mountain, a site long overshadowed by its controversial Confederate monument-an imposing 42-foot-deep carving of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Despite its divisive past, Shifrin's project illuminates a different side of the mountain, one that serves as a gathering place for people from all walks of life, all seeking something universal: rest, joy, connection, and a shared experience of wonder. Using only her iPhone, Shifrin captured candid moments as some chose to hike the trail while others rode the Summit Skyride cable car to the top. At the summit, she witnessed countless celebrations, memorials, reunions, creative endeavors, and intimate moments, all unfolding against the breathtaking backdrop of the surrounding vista. Through her lens, Shifrin presents Stone Mountain as a microcosm of human experience-where people of different cultures, ages, and backgrounds converge in search of common joys and solace. In stark contrast to the mountain's historical weight, the book offers a refreshing perspective: a place of healing, togetherness, and hope, where the divisive past does not overshadow the possibility for shared human connection. This visual and narrative journey explores how a site known for its history can also become a sanctuary of unity and hope for those who visit, transcending its complex legacy and revealing the power of the present moment.