Overview
Brake was largely apolitical, but he was unhappy with the way his photographs of China appeared in American magazines. His photographs of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, for example, became a Life item about tensions between China and the Soviet Union. The photograph of the Chinese leader farewelling Premier Khruschchev was accompanied by text that read: ‘Khruschchev’s recent role as a bone-crushing world peacemaker may have left the sour look on Mao Tse-tung’s face as he saw the Soviet leader off.’ Brake said that Mao’s grimace was simply caused by dust blown into his eyes.