Aftershock: The Human Toll of War: Haunting World War II Images by America's Soldier Photographers

by Richard Cahan, Mark Jacob, Michael Williams

The world was in ruin at the end of World War from the Blitz in London to the aftermath of the atomic bomb blasts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A small group of Army soldiers witnessed it all. They photographed Germany’s last push, the Battle of the Bulge, and they rode into Germany to witness unimagined destruction. They documented the Burma Road, which opened Mainland China to supplies, and saw war atrocities as far away as the Philippines. These soldier photographers are acclaimed for their war photographs, but their work showing the impact of total war has never been compiled in a book. As towns fell and the result of years of war were being laid bare, the world began to comprehend the impact of the war. Ruined cities were unearthed. The gates of concentration camps were flung open. Former prisoners, captured soldiers, and desperate refugees scoured the landscape for food and shelter. These GIs used cameras instead of guns, witnessing and capturing the loss and destruction on film. Their work is a remarkable record of pictures that is now housed at the National Archives. The photos they left behind are beautiful and cemeteries and churches. POWs and DPs. Surrenders and suicides. Liberators and prisoners. Many of the photos have never before been seen. None have been seen like this―scanned directly from original negatives for this book. Aftershock is a permanent record that shows what these soldiers saw. And it tells the story of these young photographers, whose lives were changed forever because of 1945.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

264 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 2019

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photography is astounding and important. My heart stopped a bit at the photo of bombed out Ulm, which is where my family is from. I was just in Ulm visiting my still-in-Germany-family in August 2019 and recognized several landmarks in that photo that are around the Munster [cathedral] even today. My Opa and his older brother seldom talk to me about their childhoods during and after WW2 in Ulm, Germany. Either one of them could have been one of those kids passing bricks to rebuild Ulm, and believe me, I looked for their faces there (they are not in the photo).

I also think it is very important to show China during WW2, a country that is oft ignored. This book does that.

[Kim Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly powerful, sobering images and stories from U.S. Army Signal Corps photographers. The sights they captured show the breadth of the war’s devastation and its impact on both soldiers and civilians. The images from the emptying of Nazi death camps are particularly tragic. Kudos to the editors for selecting from thousands of images held at the National Archives and sharing the work of soldier-photographers.

[Melissa Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting pictures of WW2. It truly brings to life the saying ,"War is hell". It's a sobering reminder of the evils man can commit and the resilience of humanity. It covers all theaters and does not attempt to sugar coat or censor the ugly truth. If you're into photography, history-especially ww2 history, this book is a must

[K2 ----- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having this book on our dining room table for two weeks was I am sure a bit odd to some but it was utterly digested by two in our family. My husband is a history major with a mind like a steel trap and he learned so much he didn't know previously.

We both felt we were well versed about WWII having traveled extensively and read so many books but this is a NOT TO MISS tome.

The photos, in black and white as so powerfully haunting. It should be required reading for everyone serving in Congress and anyone with a more complete understanding of the toll of war.

I do not remember who I got the reference from but they said it was one of the most important books about WWII and since I hadn't heard of it my interest was peaked. I had no clue it was a collection of photographs until it came to my local library branch.

I am always thankful to my library but in this instance a book we both enjoyed equally by both partners that is a rare thing. Thank you!