The Bang-Bang Club: Snapshots from a Hidden War

(I saw the film after reading the book and was surprised by Ryan Phillipe's South African accent, it wasn't too shabby, actually. )

It wasn't earth-shatteringly well written (they're photo-journalists, whadya expect?) but it did a great job of conveying the zeitgeist, paranoia and moral dilemma of being a photo-journalist during those very dark, very tragic times. Greg Marinovich, Joao Silva, Ken Oosterbroek, and Kevin Carter not only danced with death each and every time they were on assignment, but they were persecuted by the security spooks, and had to deal with the psychological toll of suspending your morality, when people around you are dying, for the greater good.

While Ken Oosterbroek's demise whilst on assignment is show more heart-breaking, the most poignant story is clearly that of Keven Carter, who took his own life. Yes, the same Kevin Carter from the Manic Street Preachers' song, who achieved immortality when he took this haunting photo: show less

The Bang Bang Club tells the story of a group of South African journalists who attempted to document the bloody and gruelling transition of South Africa out of apartheid. This is a book full of interesting anecdotes and exciting action which presents the South African political situation as seen through the eyes of South Africans.

This is a harrowing insight into what makes and drives war photographers. Fittingly it is also a great snapshot of life in South Africa during Apartheid.

An powerful and eye-opening look at the township war in South Africa in the early '90's. Well worth a read.

Loved this book. Very interesting. Read it in 2011 after returning from my bicycle trip in Southern Africa (finishing in Capetown).