Inferno

Why Did I buy this? I dont know why I ordered this book, when I could've ordered something that celebrates life, anything that celebrates life. It was expensive, very heavy and does not fit into my bookshelf, so I have to keep it out on a table covered with a large handkerchief. I have a few books on photography: Henri Cartier Bresson, Robert Adams, Walker Evans, Man Ray etc. Before I ordered Inferno, I went through some videos of James in action and some reviews. It is a fact that I had to face, I could not turn a blind eye to my mind which wanted this book in my shelf (or on my table for that matter). Its bad news, and somehow humans in a peculiar and ironic way like bad news(subconsciously), its a fact. When to open it? 'The bad news book' arrived at my doorstep a few days ago, except for a few random pages, I haven't gone through the whole book, I feel that there is a time to open the book, like the opening of hell's gates. I dont urge anyone to buy this book unless they really want to see what James saw with his eyes. When you open the book you will find that James had no artistic notion about what he shot, the photos are spontaneous and the ones I saw really really sucked my energy away. There is so much sadness, gruesome depressing sadness in almost all the pages. Its not a book where you just open it everyday and happily go through the images. Quality of the Book? The prints are large and the photos are printed on matte paper.The paper is heavy gauge and would last a lot of abuse. The book is spine bound very well with a cloth cover with embossed letters 'Inferno' with authors name. Ironically I don't regret ordering it.

This brutal, horrific, important book is mentally and emotionally hard to absorb in even multiple sittings. The pictures, as one would expect from Nachtwey, are extraordinary, haunting, moving and often somehow beautiful. Few people will have witnessed so much inhumanity in so much of the world and fewer have lived to share the depths of that depravity with others. The printing and binding are up to snuff and do the work justice. In short, this is a must-purchase for anyone interested in photography - and not just war or documentary photography - and for anyone else interested in the wider world and recent world history. It's an incredibly important, poignant book.

The book says everything about this kind of photography as James Nachtwey is talented photographer. The book arrived on time is technicaly excellent. The content however is incredible!!!

Thank you!

Great Book!

Great, amazing book, in all aspects. The book itself is big, huge, heavy, and beautifully presented. At the same time, it looks dry, sad, like a stone. So it suits perfectly the content. Nachtwey's images are hard to look at without crying or feeling really bad, so they touch you deep, they interrogate you about your values. The book leaves no space to doubt, photos come out as words in a direct speech, straight to you. One of the best photojournalism books ever done, a must have. Delivery from Amazon.co.uk to Barcelona, Spain was quick and clean, one week time, perfectly packed and protected, and delivered at home. Thank you!!

This book is brilliant but highly disturbing. James Nachtwey is one of the best (war) photographer of all times. The way he captures horror is undescribable. Most photos in this book are very difficult to look at. The photos are about the result of war: famine, destruction, death, despair. And the book is so big, the viewer is left alone with people that suffer immensely. Its gripping, its personal. Some people might cry going through this book. But aspiring photographers will look for clues how to achieve with light, composition and subject, that kind of reaction from the reader. It is therefore foremost an inspiring book and in the end it will provoke a reaction. A form of anger will fill your mind. The ultimate collectors item!

James Nachtwey's war photography was never supposed to be a representative perusal of global conflict and suffering. It is consequently churlish to denigrate it for poor coverage, as in so doing one may well miss its accomplishment in being one of the most harrowing and important collections of images I have seen in recent years. Frankly, the introduction by Sante is badly-written and erratic, but more to the point it is unimportant. The images and their terse captions (presented at the back of the book) dwarf Sante's slightly ostentatious posturing. What sets Nachtwey apart from the majority of war photographers is the fact that each image - however horrendous or traumatic the topic - is absolutely beautiful, with tones, composition and perspective all keenly observed. Like Don McCullin, he seems to maintain the (I believe correct) idea that war photographers can do more to alleviate the suffering of their subjects if they coolly record without becoming directly involved at an emotional level. The images are therefore more accessible to the general public, who cannot experience the emotional charge of being present to witness the sight in all it's horror. Additionally, this decidedly purist stance has the effect of elevating images of suffering to truly beautiful, even magnificent portrayals that restore some of the human dignity that has been so cruelly ravaged by war and famine. All this said, it is still a hard book to read, and is guaranteed to shake you out of a complacency you never even knew you had.

This book is a master piece! still has the great feel with grainy film. Printed perfectly. Nevertheless it is a book you have to look at a bit at a time. very hard images of people suffering immensely. Nevertheless the composition of some images are just great. 500+ pages of beauty even though the subject is not beautiful due to its theme. if you are passionate about photo jurnalism this is the equivalent of the Bible or any religious book you follow.

Para quién es fan de este fotógrafo, definitivamente es un must.

その視線が耐え切れない。読んで後悔は無いけど、しばらくダウナーになる。

This book is horrifying. But there is clearly an expert anti-war photographer behind the camera.

Libro usato arrivato in ottime condizioni. Esattamente come nuovo. La qualità della stampa è davvero notevole. Un fotografo che non conoscevo e che ha arricchito ancor di più la mia conoscenza.