Philip Jones Griffiths : A Call to Action

An in-depth retrospective of the work of Phillip Jones Griffiths, one of the most influential photojournalists of the 20th century, who shaped our view of history and changed our perception of the Vietnam War. A comprehensive retrospective of Philip Jones Griffiths’s work and life, this publication offers a vital reappraisal of his humanist, socially engaged photography. Bringing together images from across his celebrated and lesser-known series, including his pioneering work focusing on Vietnam, this volume offers fresh insight into his process, practice and philosophy. David Drake journeys through Jones Griffiths’s Welsh childhood to capture the development of his political and photographic sensibilities, evident in key early images of antinuclear protests, 1960s Beatlemania and the war for Algerian independence.

Moving to his entirely self-initiated documentation of the Vietnam War, carefully selected plates present Jones Griffiths’s long-term commitment to shining a light on the realities of conflict and recovery. This passion for truth-telling saw Jones Griffiths embark on assignments across the globe.

Following him from Northern Ireland to Mongolia and the United States, this book captures not only Jones Griffiths’s skill as a documentarian, but his commitment to the wider photographic community.

As president of the renowned photo collective Magnum Photos, Jones Griffiths’s devotion was deeply felt. Featuring texts by David Drake and contributions from photographer Donna Ferrato and novelist Nguyen Phan Que Mai, this is an essential photobook for all who value documentary photography created with principles, passion and integrity.