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Relentless Courage: Ukraine and the World at War
From the front lines of the war in Ukraine comes this compelling collection of images from world-class photographers that captures the humanity, perseverance, and determination of the nation's fight for freedom and independence against all odds.
“What happened to Ukraine after Moscow’s invasion? Look no further. The photographs in this book are by some of the world’s best photographers, and provide an unflinching look at the hell wrought by Russia. This is extraordinary and vital work.” - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Hume Kennerly
Stunning collection of images from some of the most respected photojournalists of our
Moving essays, published in both English and Ukrainian,
As Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy said in his address to U.S. Congress, Russia “went on a brutal offensive against our values, basic human values. It threw tanks and planes against our freedom, against our right to live freely in our own country, choosing our own future, against our desire for happiness, against our national dreams, just like the same dreams you have, you Americans.” Relentless Courage delivers a gripping, visual portfolio of images that remind us of our shared humanity, what is right, and what’s at stake when independence and freedom come under attack.
“What happened to Ukraine after Moscow’s invasion? Look no further. The photographs in this book are by some of the world’s best photographers, and provide an unflinching look at the hell wrought by Russia. This is extraordinary and vital work.” - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Hume Kennerly
Stunning collection of images from some of the most respected photojournalists of our
Moving essays, published in both English and Ukrainian,
As Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy said in his address to U.S. Congress, Russia “went on a brutal offensive against our values, basic human values. It threw tanks and planes against our freedom, against our right to live freely in our own country, choosing our own future, against our desire for happiness, against our national dreams, just like the same dreams you have, you Americans.” Relentless Courage delivers a gripping, visual portfolio of images that remind us of our shared humanity, what is right, and what’s at stake when independence and freedom come under attack.
204 pages, Hardcover
Published November 8, 2022
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 15, 2023
The photos in this book are stunning – in both the metaphorical and literal meanings of the word. They are technically perfect, but it is their emotional content that smashes into your brain like a sledgehammer. The death and destruction, the pain and despair that are pictured is – to people like me in nice safe countries – unimaginable.
This book was published when the ‘official’ invasion of Ukraine was 100 days old. Yesterday it was 500 days. And somehow Ukraine has not been vanquished, they fight on against all the odds – true ‘relentless courage’. In the midst of such appalling devastation, Ukrainians still manage to hope (and fight) for peace and freedom. The photos are a horrifying witness to their suffering and to the war crimes perpetuated by Putin, his acolytes and the malevolent Wagner Group.
The photographer have – like everyone left in Ukraine – put their lives at risk to document these crimes against humanity. There are some words from the photographers, but mainly the photos speak. The one photo that I felt was beautiful – amongst the horrors – and depicted a scintilla of hope, was that on the cover, with a soldier illuminated by a pure light beaming through a bomb hole.
I would like to be a pacifist, to campaign for nuclear disarmament – but Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons under promises of protection from Russia. They tried peace. And look where it got them.
Putin claims to have started this invasion to denazify Ukraine, and to protect ethnic Russians within Ukraine’s borders, who were supposed to be discriminated against. Yet, the only armies that are showing Nazi tendencies, are those directed by Putin. And the claim of protecting Russians comes straight out of Hitler’s Sudetenland playbook.
Putin must be stopped. Today it is Ukraine, tomorrow Moldova, Georgia … then the Baltic states, Poland, … Where would it end? NATO seems to want to avoid upsetting Putin, just supplying essential aid to Ukraine piecemeal.
These photos show that appeasement – as in 1938 – is not the way to deal with a rabid bear.
Support Ukraine.
This book was published when the ‘official’ invasion of Ukraine was 100 days old. Yesterday it was 500 days. And somehow Ukraine has not been vanquished, they fight on against all the odds – true ‘relentless courage’. In the midst of such appalling devastation, Ukrainians still manage to hope (and fight) for peace and freedom. The photos are a horrifying witness to their suffering and to the war crimes perpetuated by Putin, his acolytes and the malevolent Wagner Group.
The photographer have – like everyone left in Ukraine – put their lives at risk to document these crimes against humanity. There are some words from the photographers, but mainly the photos speak. The one photo that I felt was beautiful – amongst the horrors – and depicted a scintilla of hope, was that on the cover, with a soldier illuminated by a pure light beaming through a bomb hole.
I would like to be a pacifist, to campaign for nuclear disarmament – but Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons under promises of protection from Russia. They tried peace. And look where it got them.
Putin claims to have started this invasion to denazify Ukraine, and to protect ethnic Russians within Ukraine’s borders, who were supposed to be discriminated against. Yet, the only armies that are showing Nazi tendencies, are those directed by Putin. And the claim of protecting Russians comes straight out of Hitler’s Sudetenland playbook.
Putin must be stopped. Today it is Ukraine, tomorrow Moldova, Georgia … then the Baltic states, Poland, … Where would it end? NATO seems to want to avoid upsetting Putin, just supplying essential aid to Ukraine piecemeal.
These photos show that appeasement – as in 1938 – is not the way to deal with a rabid bear.
Support Ukraine.
July 28, 2023
This thoughtfully curated book of photos brings the war in Ukraine home in a much more real way than any news article (which I’ve admittedly sought out few of since 2022). The collection does not hold back and encourages the reader not to look away from the devastating reality of war. As I neared the end, all I could do was sob and pray — many of which were pleas for forgiveness for the fact that I have not prayed enough.
God save Ukraine.
God save Ukraine.
March 26, 2023
Visually powerful - I loved how it was a collection of essays and photographs from people who were actually there; voices and opinions that matter. I hope more collections like this are made to document this incredibly important conflict.
July 8, 2023
A powerful late 2022 publication featuring essays by the world's photojournalists documenting the Russian invasion. Foreword by Ambassador Oksana Markarova, intordouction by David Kennerly, Photographic essays by featured photo-journalists Lynsey Addario, Paula Bronstein, Carol Guzy, Svet Jacqoueline and Justinya Mielnikiewicz, and several other photos from contributing photographers. Harcdcover, 200 pages.
It will come as no surprise that this is a gut-wrenching, extremely emotional project. Meant to be. The team discusses in an essay how they fought about how to represent this invasion. They put this together for those of who get the news but do not daily see images of what it is really like to be there. People like all of us, suffering, with as they say in the title with relentless courage. How much heath and destruction to show? How to balance it with pictures of a variety of people there? What's the tone?
They would be irresponsible, in my view (and theirs, I agree with them) not to show dead bodies, so there's a warning to you, some of it is terrible to see, of course. though this not the heart of the work. The anguish and resilience and character of the people is. . But I have to say the section that made me cry the hardest is the collection of "babushkas," the old grannies who refused to relocate. Powerful images. Important. Unforgettable.
You can see some of the images here in their book home page:
https://ukrainewarbook.com/
It will come as no surprise that this is a gut-wrenching, extremely emotional project. Meant to be. The team discusses in an essay how they fought about how to represent this invasion. They put this together for those of who get the news but do not daily see images of what it is really like to be there. People like all of us, suffering, with as they say in the title with relentless courage. How much heath and destruction to show? How to balance it with pictures of a variety of people there? What's the tone?
They would be irresponsible, in my view (and theirs, I agree with them) not to show dead bodies, so there's a warning to you, some of it is terrible to see, of course. though this not the heart of the work. The anguish and resilience and character of the people is. . But I have to say the section that made me cry the hardest is the collection of "babushkas," the old grannies who refused to relocate. Powerful images. Important. Unforgettable.
You can see some of the images here in their book home page:
https://ukrainewarbook.com/
September 5, 2024
Great photos shown on large pages for all to see. Unfortunately the captions are in print so small that they are lost on the big pages and all but impossible to read.
December 4, 2025
One of the most moving books of photography I have ever seen. The horror of what is happening in Ukraine is captured by photographers who are risking capture or death to show the world what is really going on right now. I must warn you: this book contains intense images of death - images that you may not be able to forget. Highest recommendation.
February 28, 2025
Pictures sometimes tell more than prose, indeed. Brutal, hard and cruel, but we should not look away.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews