"Robert Capa: Photographs" is the first true retrospective book of one of the century's greatest photographers. Drawing upon hundreds of previously unseen images, this collection reveals Capa as one of the great poets of the camera. In these photographs, we see through the eyes of a driven humanist who was also a documentarian of the highest caliber. While previous volumes on Capa have focused on his role as a war photographer, "Robert Capa: Photographs" shows us the remarkable range of his work, which encompasses the sufferings as well as the tenderness, humor and wonder of his subjects. Robert Capa demonstrated not only a passionate commitment to improving the human condition, but also an unfailing eye for graphic impact. Although his photographs remain the definitive visual records of such momentous events as the siege of Madrid, the bombing of Hankou, and the Allied landings on D-day, many of his images have a timeless and universal quality that transcends the specifics of history. A Spanish soldier recoils at the impact of a bullet, the final instant of his life. In a scene of perfect joy, a group of Chinese children laugh at the sky as snow begins to fall. Four farm workers, hauling all the belongings they can manage, trudge grimly away from an apocalyptic backdrop of smoke and ruins: their war-devastated homes. Capa's images reveal his profound compassion and perceptiveness about our tenuous human state. As Cornell Capa (Robert's younger brother and the Founding Director Emeritus of the International Center of Photography) writes in his eloquent remembrance: "He managed to travel all over the world, and to communicate his experience and feelings through a universallanguage: photography." "Robert Capa: Photographs" also includes a foreword by Capa's close friend Henri Cartier-Bresson, as well as an informative historical essay by Capa biographer Richard Whelan. At last, here is the book that reveals Robert Capa in a new light. The extraordinary collection of images in "Robert Capa: Photographs" brings us--through the events of history--to the very heart of humanity.

罗伯特·卡帕是匈牙利人,1913年生于布达佩斯,原名安德烈,卡帕是他的笔名. 他17岁时就立志要当摄影家.在柏林大学求学后,先在柏林一家通讯社做暗房工作,后到巴黎当记者.由于他的摄影作品受到一家摄影杂志社的重视,他便被委派到战地进行采访.

1936年西班牙内战,卡帕在西班牙战场拍摄了一个战士中弹将要倒下,这幅使人有身临其境之感的作品以《西班牙战士》、《战场的殉难者》、《阵亡的一瞬间》等标题发表,立刻震动了当时的摄影界,成为战争摄影的不朽之作,也成为卡帕的传世之作. 和卡帕一起到西班牙采访的还有他的年青女友,德藉女摄影家葛尔德o达娜.他们共同奋不顾身地出没于硝烟弥漫的战场,达娜不幸死于坦克履带下.悲伤的卡帕,从此永远凝视关注着战场.他一生的摄影创作多取材于战争.他把照相机作为揭露战争的武器.卡帕说:"照相机本身并不能阻止战争,但照相机拍出的照片可以揭露战争,阻止战争的发展".

1937年,日本军国主义发动了对中国的侵略,第二年卡帕与《西行漫记》的作者斯诺一同约定赴延安采访,但是到了西安,受到国民党的阻挠,卡帕未能成行,当时他是抗日战争中唯一能在中国战区采访的盟军战地记者.他在上海等地,拍摄了许多揭露日本侵略军的罪行的新闻照片,公诸于世,后又去英国、北非、意大利进行摄影采访.1944年,他随联合国部队开辟第二战场,参加了在法国北部诺曼第的登陆战,拍摄了极为精彩的报道照片.

1946年,卡帕与波兰籍的西摩和法国籍的布勒松在纽约相聚.他们组成了"梅根"摄影通讯社,在巴黎和纽约设办事机构.后来陆续加入一些其它著名摄影家,如美国的罗嘉,瑞士的比索夫等.在"梅根社"成立后的三十年中西方世界任何一个角落发生大事,都有他们的摄影记者在场.他们以忘我的热情,甚至不惜以鲜血和生命深入到第一线去拍摄,为新闻摄影的形式和内容树立了新的典范.

1954年,卡帕不顾亲友的劝阻,悄悄来到越南战场.他用照相机反映了《越南的悲剧》(卡帕的最后一幅作品题名),不幸误踏地雷身亡,时年四十一岁.