Three leading photo journalists take the reader amongst the wretched conditions on the front line of the battles and skirmishes which afflict the modern world. Thus scenes from Eritrea, the former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Afghanistan, South West Africa/Namibia, Lebanon and Angola provide a permanent record of the traumas whilst their text, based on personal visits to the places described, provides the atmosphere of the situation as well as historical and political background. The authors have got closer to the action than the short-term visitors from radio and television.