from the book Infidel

Infidel is one of the best photography books to come out that documents the United States involvement in Afghanistan. I would go so far to say that it is one of the most powerful photobooks to come out this year. Photographer and film maker Tim Hetherington's Infidel tracks a detailed account of one US platoon serving in the Korengal Valley -- their bravery and vulnerability all come forth in this brilliantly designed book. The book looks and feels like a journal -- adding an additional layer of  intimacy to what already comes through in the pictures -- that these men unavoidably shared everything with each other. The design aspects -- along with the revealing pieces written by the soldiers weaves together to make a strangely unique book. Somewhat of a companion piece to Hetherington's film Restrepo, Infidel mixes a series of portraits, battle scenes, tattoo designs and still-lifes into one detailed account of what war is for these men. The photographs are simply beautiful and telling.

This book doesn't form a political standpoint, it is a simple story of camaraderie and reality.... and it works. I wish more projects were approached as simply as this one... maybe the staying power of those projects would resonate in the way Hetherington's book does.

from the book Infidel

from the book Infidel

from the book Infidel

from the book Infidel

Purchase a copy of the book here.