James Nachtwey, Inferno Reviews

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Good Points: Emotionally enthralling - yet appallingly graphic - images of humanity at its worst and best.

Bad Points: Expensive; thematically selective.

General comments: James Nachtwey - a member of the prestigious photo-agency MAGNUM - decided to document the aftermath of genocide in a number of sites in Europe, Asia and Africa in the 80's and 90's, and this impressive A3 (monochrome) volume is the result. This is not to be approached lightly - it contains images that are harrowing, shocking and demoralising. What is remarkable, however, is the strange beauty and dignity of the subjects, who, regardless of their plight, transcend the appalling circumstances into which they find themselves precipitated. This is assisted in part by Nachtwey's superb cameramanship, as - no matter how atrocious the subject - it is approached in a mature, artistically competent way that boosts the emotive impact of the images. Despite the fact that it is eye-wateringly expensive - and not all genocide sites are covered - it is something that people ought to see. Appreciate, but handle with care.