All about photo.com: photo contests, photography exhibitions, galleries, photographers, books, schools and venues.
FINAL HOURS TO ENTER ALL ABOUT PHOTO AWARDS: $5,000 Cash Prizes + Publication in AAP Magazine!
FINAL HOURS TO ENTER ALL ABOUT PHOTO AWARDS: $5,000 Cash Prizes + Publication in AAP Magazine!

Photo Book

Share
Photographer: Larry Towell
Publisher: GOST Books
Publication date: 2024
Print length: 116 pages
Language: English
Price Range:
Reviews:
The History War by Larry Towell is a visually compelling and deeply immersive exploration of Ukraine’s tumultuous history, blending photographs, collages, and ephemera into a multifaceted narrative. This book provides a panoramic view of Ukraine’s struggle for independence, from the 5th century to the present day, chronicling the personal and political upheavals that have shaped the nation.

The book is organized into six distinct narratives, each documenting the pivotal events and people Towell encountered throughout his extensive travels in Ukraine. It begins with Towell’s initial visit during the Maidan uprising of 2014, where he captured the intense final days of the clashes between protesters and police in Kyiv. His stark images of makeshift barricades, heavily shielded police, and the aftermath of violence offer a raw and unfiltered look at this critical moment in Ukrainian history. This experience marked the beginning of Towell’s long-term commitment to documenting the country.

Following the Maidan uprising, Towell’s focus shifts to the desolate landscapes of Chernobyl, highlighting the lingering impact of the 1986 nuclear disaster on the Soviet psyche. Subsequent chapters take readers through the conflict-ridden eastern Donbass region, including scenes of neglected coal miners, war-torn ruins, and the Ukrainian Army’s operations in Bakhmut. Towell’s immersive approach also covers interactions with separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk, and the harrowing consequences of the Russian invasion, including the exhumation of civilian graves and the documentation of war crimes in Bucha.

Towell’s book is notable for its unique format, resembling a scrapbook that interweaves personal notes with a diverse array of ephemera—postcards, found family photos, playing cards, and items left behind by Russian soldiers. This innovative approach not only enhances the storytelling but also offers a tangible connection to the people and places depicted.

Described by Towell as “one person’s book on Ukraine,” The History War challenges conventional photobook formats, demonstrating how diverse materials and narratives can be woven together to create a powerful and cohesive historical account. The book is available in two colorways—yellow with blue endpapers or blue with yellow endpapers—adding a layer of serendipity to its presentation.

Our printed edition showcases the winners of AAP Magazine call of entries
All About Photo Magazine
Issue #44

Photography Books from the same artist

Call for Entries
Win $5,000 Cash Prizes!
Become the Photographer of the Year 2025

Selected Books

Advertisement
Win a Solo Exhibition in February
All About Photo Awards 2025
Photographer of the Week

Latest Interviews

Exclusive Interview with Jaume Llorens
Jaume Llorens, born in Porqueres, near Girona, has been passionate about photography since his teenage years. Though he began exhibiting his work later in life, his artistic journey has quickly gained recognition on the international stage. His work is characterized by a deep, contemplative connection with nature, where silence and observation shape his artistic vision. His poetic project Gaia, inspired by this reflective approach, earned him the December 2023 Solo Exhibition. We asked him a few questions about his life and work.
Exclusive Interview with Asiya Al Sharabi
Asiya Al Sharabi is a Yemeni-American visual artist whose work has been recognized both nationally and internationally. She began her career as a journalist and photographer before shifting her focus to artistic photography, using her lens to explore the complexities of identity, culture, and migration. Now based in the U.S., her work is deeply rooted in the experiences of Middle Eastern women, young adults, and immigrants—themes that continue to shape her creative vision.
Exclusive Interview with Members of Circulo Collective
Círculo Collective is a photography group dedicated to fostering unity and shared humanity during these challenging times. This exclusive collective brings together photographers from five countries: India, Tanzania, Iran, Brazil, and Poland. In a world increasingly defined by division and conflict, the mission of Círculo Collective holds profound significance. Through their work, they seek to remind us of the connections that bind us and the power of community in overcoming adversity. We reached out to them with a few questions to gain deeper insights into their project.
Exclusive Interview with Manuela Federl
Manuela Federl is a journalist and documentary filmmaker with over 15 years of experience. She studied languages, economics, and cultural studies, focusing on the Mapuche people in Chile, which became the subject of her published thesis. In 2016, she founded her company, bergjournalisten, and has since created award-winning documentaries like 100 Hours of Lesbos and THE GAME. Gambling Between Life and Death. For the past two years, she has traveled extensively, documenting social issues through photography and storytelling. Her series The Roma Princesses earned her the January 2024 Solo Exhibition.
Exclusive Interview with Dona Ann McAdams about ’Black Box’
Black Box, a memoir by award-winning American photographer Dona Ann McAdams, combines fifty years of black and white photography with the photographer’s own short lyric texts she calls “ditties.” The book brings together McAdams’ striking historical images with personal reflections that read like prose-poems. Her photographs, taken between 1974 and 2024, document astonishing moments and people across decades of American life.
Exclusive Interview with Grace Weston
Grace Weston’s staged photography transforms miniature vignettes into powerful narratives that explore psychological themes with a playful yet profound touch. Her meticulously crafted scenes invite viewers to delve into stories of power, identity, and human complexity. Weston’s innovative work has earned international recognition, including winning the November 2023 Solo Exhibition. We asked her a few questions about her life and work.
Exclusive Interview with Tebani Slade
Tebani Slade is a fine art, street, and documentary photographer whose work bridges continents, blending the raw authenticity of her Australian roots with the vibrant energy of her second home in Barcelona. Known for her thoughtful approach to storytelling, Tebani immerses herself in unfamiliar settings, capturing unscripted moments that reveal profound truths about the world around her.
Exclusive Interview with Mital Patel
Mital Patel is an internationally recognized nature and wildlife photographer who focuses on capturing beauty in all its forms—whether natural or manmade. From architecture and landscapes to the creatures of the wild, Patel has a distinct passion for capturing the most remarkable elements of life through his visual representation of movement, emotion and mood. From behind the lens, he strives to bring viewers his very unique view of nature, telling a story without words and conveying a feeling in the abstract. He challenges his audience to let their imaginations run free, taking the journey with him on his travels and opening their minds beyond the confines of static photography. In each of his pieces, Patel hopes to offer his audience a way to view the world around them a bit differently – to appreciate the beauty of moments and places that are often overlooked. An intrepid traveler and lover of adventure, Patel’s passion for creative and imaginative photography is a great asset to his exploration of the world, which spans six out of the seven continents. His work is admired worldwide for its unique and artistic perspective.
Exclusive Interview with Steff Gruber
Steff Gruber, is a renowned Swiss photographer and filmmaker whose career spans decades of impactful storytelling. Having started as a press photographer for Keystone Press, Gruber was one of the pioneers of the docudrama genre, making his mark with the internationally acclaimed documentary LOCATION AFRICA. This film, which followed the intense dynamic between Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski during the making of COBRA VERDE, earned him international recognition and set the tone for his distinct filmmaking style. Gruber's passion for human interest stories has taken him to various countries, where he has documented diverse subjects through his compelling photo stories, often returning multiple times to deepen his understanding of the people and places he captures. His work is celebrated for its striking visual language and his bold approach to narrative, which continues to push boundaries in both photography and film. We asked him a few questions about his life and work.
Call for Entries
Win $5,000 Cash Prizes!
Submit your best shot to All About Photo Awards 2025