Inferno Hardcover – 19 Aug. 2003

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.

This book is a masterpiece of what I would call "political" photography. Nachtwey goes to war, or follows war's footsteps, and closes in on his subjects where most others would turn away. He prevails over his own emotions in order to show us the horrors of the world. He feels he has to do it, as he explains in interviews (see DVD  War Photographer [DVD] [2001] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC ]) because if he does not, who will? He is humble, understated and brilliant. The book contains only B&W pictures, is big and heavy and expensive, and it is probably the best photo reportage book you will ever buy. It certainly is for me.

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!