George Rodger's career as a photographer has been one of constant yet often unsung achievement. He began his photographic career with the BBC as a stills photographer. His baptism as a photo reporter came with his appointment as a "stringer" for Life Magazine during the Blitz on London in the most threatening days of 1940. Many of his images from that time are still in constant use, because his instinct has always been to concentrate on the humanity of his subjects, even in the face of terrible adversity.
It was for Life Magazine that George Rodger embarked on a series of adventures that were to take him to almost every theatre of the Second World War in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. His urge to record also found expression on paper, and he was later to publish an enthralling account of these years, and to undertake a lecture tour throughout the USA. The fulcrum of his career came with the liberation of Belsen. As for the first few days he was the only photographer present, the images he captured became crucially important in making known the depravity of the camps. Rodger's professional interest led him to join Henri Cartier-Bresson, David Seymour and Robert Capa in founding the greatest picture agency of the post-war era, Magnum Photos. In 1948 he embarked on a campaign of photography rediscovering humanity, starting with an expedition from Cape Town to Cairo by road. He found in Africa tribes almost untouched by European influence, and was able to create images of enormous power that quickly became world famous.
This book presents the pictures that define George Rodger's long career and a commentary on his extraordinary journey. With over 260 powerful images, it represents a fitting tribute to George Rodger and a celebration of his life's work.
