Nina Berman: Purple Hearts

Rating:
Summary: great review in LA Times
Review: "For the reality of war and what it does to those we send to fight, there's "Purple Hearts: Back From Iraq," a wonderful but wrenching book featuring pictures and interviews by Nina Berman. We read each day of soldiers killed and wounded by rocket-propelled grenades, suicide car bombers, mines and the deadly weapons known as "improvised explosive devices." Berman's pictures and the words of those maimed in attacks give graphic testimony to just what that means."

From "Antiwar battles on two fronts" by John Needham, LA Times Staff Writer, Oct 5

Rating:
Summary: A very personal book
Review: I read through the other reviews of Nina Berman's Purple Hearts posted here, which all glow, until I got to the very first one, which gives the book one loney star. Obviously, the "truth" of photographs can be experienced very differently by different people.

To post a review of a book one has never even seen here on a book review site is curious, ridiculous and a dogmatic political act, the very tar with which the "reviewer" pretends to paint Berman. The review, such as it is, parrots the now very weary and increasingly diluted words "patriotism" and "heroes" with the now prerequsite sense of insult and outrage. One of the more remarkable things about the photographs (which are available to see when actually looking at the book) is how dispassionate they are. That is, removed of the photographer's own passions. You simply see the physical manifestation of the damage to each soldier. And that is their power. Viewers are left to imagine what kind of peace each of these formerly anonymous casualty figures will be able to make with the war that will be with them the rest of the days of their lives. Don't the best books rest in one's hands more as questions than answers?

This is a subject very close to me. I am a photographer who has worked in combat zones, as has Nina Berman, but in the end I was attacked in the United States by a half-dozen young men and nearly kicked and stomped to death. Like some of the soldiers in this book, I suffered a traumatic brain injury, which in my case left me unable to walk or to recall three simple numbers recited by my speech therapist. Like everyone else with a brain injury my emotions were no longer completely under my control and I would begin crying for no reason at all.

But I soon understood that there were reasons to cry. The worst thing about being injured by violence is how lonely it is, something survivors can recognize when we see it in each other's eyes. If you stare into the eyes of the wounded people on these pages you might see it yourself. When we are called heroes or "inspirations to everyone we meet" (only if we are fortunate enough to have a support system that will help us help ourselves back on our feet), we hear empty words spoken by people who think that surviving is something glorious.

What Nina Berman has done is to unflinchingly expose the human flesh that suffers along behind a comforting, fluttering, star spangled curtain. In that way, Berman's photographs ask each viewer if we, as a nation of very diverse people, are prepared to make peace with what each one of the people in this book has lost in war.

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: I would guess that the person who wrote the above review hasn't actually SEEN Nina Berman's extraordinary book of photographs. If she had, I doubt that she would have questioned Ms. Berman's utmost respect for the injured American soldiers returning from Iraq. The public has been unnecessarily shielded from seeing the result of this war: mangled bodies, amputated limbs, shock and sorrow on the faces of those brave souls who have been sent to fight. Berman's images, as well as the soldier's own words, are difficult to take in. Yet, I was surprised to read that a good number of those profiled in the book are very proud of their service and regret having to leave the armed forces. One soldier even says it was the best experience of his life; the picture shows him with one leg. I think it is inaccurate to suggest that Berman doesn't understand these soldier's courage and patriotism. She does, indeed. And she has the pictures to prove it.

Rating:
Summary: Don't be deceived; this book is NOT political.
Review: My initial feeling upon opening the pages of this book was one of trepidation... I had donated to Operation Truth because I feel the people of American don't fully understand what's going on in Iraq. I received this book as a complimentary gift for my contribution. The truth is, these soldiers, these fine young heroes potrayed in the pages of "Purple Hearts" almost without fail have no regrets, and many would prefer to be back with their units. The only political issue raised by this book is whether or not we take care of these fine young Americans who've given a part of themselves for their country. We cannot throw this generation of war veterans to the wolves as we did their fathers and grandfathers thirty years ago. I am the mother of an American soldier, and I would like to thank Nina Berman for her book. Everyone should read it.

Rating:
Summary: INCREDIBLE BOOK
Review: Nina Berman has created an extraordinary masterpiece in Purple Hearts. It is a visual commentary on the culture of war, heroism, and America as we know it today. Great quality, great vision, and great book. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: PURPLE HEARTS, Back from Iraq - a must see
Review: Nina Berman has unflinchingly brought to print and life - the courage and heroism of American soldiers returning from serving their country in the latest war on Iraq.
The images are harrowing, the narrative essays enlightening. Ms. Berman's treatment of this reality with dignity and clarity shines through the unsettling pictures and words of men and women who will be forever changed by the near death they encountered.
Ms. Berman's important book respectfully illuminates the broad spectrums of patriotism and heroism, which take many shapes and perspectives. She gives visibility and voice to those who often go unheard and denied.
Her work is a gift - a courageous exercise in capturing what many may not have the courage to see - because of the questions provoked. "PURPLE HEARTS, Back from Iraq" offers us the possibility to briefly (and safely) encounter one reality of war's impact on the very human participants. We should be so very thankful.


Rating:
Summary: Nina Berman on National Public Radio
Review: On September 8, Nina Berman, did an interview to promote her book, Purple Hearts, on National Public Radio. I advise that anyone who wants to buy this book first see the NPR (KCRW) transcripts to know this womans lack of respect and complete lack of graciousness for the heroes that she photographs. I have never been so offended by an interview; it is more than clear that she has never been in the military and that she lacks any understanding of what it means to serve in our nation's armed forces. I would never purchase this book now that I understand her motivations in photographing these heroes who we all owe our deepest respect to. Lastly, I just want to write that I have been at Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany (where the majority of these injured personnel arrive from Iraq), and I have first-hand knowledge of the courage and patriotism these amazing men and women show in coping with terrible injuries. We owe them the utmost respect. Nina Berman does not understand this; she is out to promote her personal political causes.