Magnum Degrees
by Michael Ignatieff

I purchased this book at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art just over a month ago on the recommendation of my twin brother who is currently studying the history of art at university. Until recently I hadn't been aware of the Magnum group of photographers at all, but at a quick glance the book looked enticing. As Library Journal explains "Magnum is an agency of elected photojournalists who independently photograph what they choose rather than what they are assigned."

The collection of photographs in Magnum Degrees covers an incredibly diverse range of subjects, most of which are politically orientated, from a number of photographers. Photos are ocassionaly intersperced with brief descriptions of the photographer's intentions. There are some truly striking and shocking (I don't say that lightly) images. Many of the photographs are from war-torn regions and the images are incredibly raw.

There are few books I've read recently that truly altered my world perspective the way this collection of photos has. A photo of a ragtag soldier sitting on a bunkbed at the side of a dusty road in Afganistan with an AK-47 assualt rifle in his hands, certainly makes you consider how difficult it is to understand the persepctive of someone so different from yourself. A superb collection.