- Don McCullin has documented conflict on battlefields across the globe for more than 50 years.
- Now, at 90, he revisits the assignment that shaped him as a reporter and scarred him as a man.
- McCullin is preparing to publish a powerful retrospective titled 'Vietnam' with GOST Books.
- The book draws from thousands of images McCullin captured during multiple assignments in Vietnam during the 1960s and early 1970s.
- He emphasizes, 'I want my pictures to hurt you', highlighting his belief that photography should challenge and disturb.
- McCullin's work includes iconic images alongside a selection of never-before-seen photographs, documenting horrors that resonate deep in the American psyche.
- The 1968 Battle of Hue is at the heart of the new book, fought during the notoriously bloody Tet Offensive.
- McCullin described the battle, stating, 'It was amazing any of us survived'.
- He recalls being told by a senior officer that there would be a 24-hour operation, but he ended up staying for 11 days.
- McCullin's photographs capture the violence and pain suffered by innocent civilians and the fear and exhaustion of the U.S. Marines.
Legendary war photographer Sir Don McCullin, now 90, has released his final retrospective titled 'Vietnam,' which revisits the harrowing conflict that defined his career. The book features both iconic and previously unseen photographs taken during his assignments in Vietnam throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.146
McCullin's work is characterized by its unflinching portrayal of the violence and suffering experienced by innocent civilians, as well as the psychological toll on U.S. Marines. He states, "I want my pictures to hurt you, I don't want you having any free rides... otherwise there's no point in me going in the first place." This philosophy underpins the collection, which serves as a powerful reminder of the realities of war.
At the heart of the book is the 1968 Battle of Hue, a pivotal moment during the Tet Offensive that exemplifies the brutality of the conflict. McCullin's images not only document the physical destruction but also capture the emotional scars left on those involved.7
As McCullin approaches the end of his extraordinary career, 'Vietnam' stands as both a historical document and a personal farewell, emphasizing his belief that photography should challenge and disturb rather than provide comfort. The book is published by GOST Books and is a testament to a lifetime spent bearing witness to suffering.3
“The book, published by GOST Books, centers on the 1968 Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive, drawing from thousands of images. McCullin told CBS News he still lives that battle every night, saying 'It never leaves me.'”
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