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Entering Germany: 1944-1949
Vaccaro, an Italian-American GI and photojournalist, took more than 10,000 photos while in Germany from 1944-1949. The selection reproduced here, in good-quality plates, is grouped into the four themes of liberation, occupation, reconstruction, and life in peace. Vaccaro provides an introduction, commentary, captions, and a short biography (each in English, German and French). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
187 pages, Hardcover
First published March 29, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 4, 2014
Years ago, I was on assignment for The New York Times at the Smithsonian for an ongoing story on how budget cuts were threatening the historical artifacts we house there. As I finished, I walked to the grassy area of the Mall to meet my boyfriend (now husband). We were about to walk home together. During that week, the Smithsonian was hosting a series of lectures to commemorate the World War II monument which was set to open that weekend. Then we saw the sign declaring the speakers in the tent before us that afternoon were war photographers. We walked into the tent in the middle of the last speaker of the day. It was Tony Vaccaro.
We sat in the front row and for 30 minutes were completely enrapt by his stories of photographing the invasion of Germany. The day was incredibly dreary with rain coming on and off in torrents. The weather forced only the intrepid to stay. I only regret we missed the other speakers. After he was finished, I walked up to shake his hand and get his autograph. I realized my caption book was completely full and the only thing I had for him to sign was my camera bag. It felt appropriate. To this day, my bag still bears his signature proudly.
This book was a beautiful glimpse into a compassionate and very humble photographer's history for a short period of his very impressive career. His captions are detailed, down to the soliders names and rank, and reminded me how very important caption information is to documenting those who grace us for our images.
This is not the most comprehensive book on World War II Germany but it gave me a new perspective on a way of life that was full of struggle, hypocrisy, pain, suffering, joy and hope. I encourage you to buy this and remember Mr. Vaccaro's great work and the great sacrifice the world endured at the hands of nations.
The Smithsonian, which, no doubt, holds Mr. Vaccaro's images in their collection, still struggles with budget cuts. However, I will happily pay taxes to support their mission because they introduced me to this great man and his lovely, important work.
We sat in the front row and for 30 minutes were completely enrapt by his stories of photographing the invasion of Germany. The day was incredibly dreary with rain coming on and off in torrents. The weather forced only the intrepid to stay. I only regret we missed the other speakers. After he was finished, I walked up to shake his hand and get his autograph. I realized my caption book was completely full and the only thing I had for him to sign was my camera bag. It felt appropriate. To this day, my bag still bears his signature proudly.
This book was a beautiful glimpse into a compassionate and very humble photographer's history for a short period of his very impressive career. His captions are detailed, down to the soliders names and rank, and reminded me how very important caption information is to documenting those who grace us for our images.
This is not the most comprehensive book on World War II Germany but it gave me a new perspective on a way of life that was full of struggle, hypocrisy, pain, suffering, joy and hope. I encourage you to buy this and remember Mr. Vaccaro's great work and the great sacrifice the world endured at the hands of nations.
The Smithsonian, which, no doubt, holds Mr. Vaccaro's images in their collection, still struggles with budget cuts. However, I will happily pay taxes to support their mission because they introduced me to this great man and his lovely, important work.
March 26, 2013
Interesting pictures. Not your predictable shots. Some pretty unique views from a participant not a voyeur.
October 19, 2022
So good I even found one to gift to my history teacher
August 9, 2013
A G.I. took his camera with him into Germany and photographed five months of war and five years of occupational peace. Stark photos and keenly observed text. Stunning. A.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews