Renowned British photographer Don McCullin is releasing his final book, focusing on his iconic images from the Vietnam War. The book, titled 'Vietnam', will feature over 100 photographs and personal war accoutrements, revisiting his experiences during the 1968 Battle of Hue.
This marks the culmination of a legendary career in war photography, offering a final reflection on one of the 20th century's most significant and controversial conflicts through the lens of a master visual storyteller.
Photographer Don McCullin, after more than seven decades of documenting global conflicts, is set to release his final book, which will revisit his experiences and iconic images from the Vietnam War. The book, titled 'Vietnam', is scheduled for publication in October and will feature over 100 photographs, including his well-known shots from the 1968 Battle of Hue, alongside personal war accoutrements like his helmet and compass.
McCullin, now 91 and considered one of the most celebrated living British photographers, described the Battle of Hue as "total madness and insanity," admitting that some images still haunt him. His photographs from that period, including a shell-shocked American soldier, are credited with significantly influencing American public opinion against the war. Before Vietnam, McCullin gained experience covering conflicts in the Congo and Cyprus, and was present during the construction of the Berlin Wall.
He retired from war photography at age 75, having found himself no longer mobile enough to react quickly to danger during a visit to Aleppo, Syria. Since then, he has published books on other subjects, such as ancient Rome. McCullin stated that he chose to focus on Vietnam for his final book because "there was no war like Vietnam," calling it an "extraordinary American misadventure" that resulted in 58,000 American soldier deaths and 300,000 wounded.
Despite the impact his work has had in bringing the horrors of war to public attention, McCullin expressed skepticism about his ability to effect lasting change, noting the continuation of conflicts since Vietnam. His editor at the Sunday Times, Harold Evans, characterized McCullin's talent as stemming from an "empathy for his subject," combining a "cold eye informed by the warmth of his empathy."