War Artists in Afghanistan: Beyond the Wire

An excellent hardback volume presenting the work of five war artists, several of whom have military backgrounds.Photography tends to dominate the public perception of modern warfare and the experience of troops on the ground; artists often capture insights into these experiences that the camera doesn`t see and there's a considerable tradition of embedding artists in the military with that element in mind.This is a very good collection of images – often sketchy, made in the moment or studied during lulls in proceedings; there are few “finished” works here, but each artist brings their own unique vision to their work – I'm always fascinated to see the methods of depiction and reaction war artists have to the scenes they encounter, sometimes harrowing and bloody or sometimes just capturing boredom or routine.Well illustrated in full-colour throughout with large plates, the “Look inside” option above doesn`t really do the book justice.Having made a study of war art over the years, this is one of the best books I've encountered containing contemporary depictions.Recommended for anyone studying war artists or those just curious to see beyond the camera.

Fantastic capture of Artists interpretation on the front line

This War Art book is a beautiful collection of drawings, paintings, sketches and stories from the latest Afghanistan War featuring the work of five hugely talented artists. The narrative and images are powerful and very moving. This book deserves to sell well and raise lots of funds for the Veteran's Charity, Combat Stress. I am proud to own a copy.