THE WORLD AFLAME
THE STORY OF ONE OF HISTORY’S DARKEST PERIODS IS TOLD THROUGH BEAUTIFUL AND INSPIRING ARTISTRY, WITH HARD-HITTING NARRATIVE
The World Aflame is the second collaboration between British historian Dan Jones and Brazilian artist Marina Amaral, following the pair’s hugely successful The Colour Of Time. Taking the same format, balancing recolourised photography with written narrative, this time the focus is on the dark period of the first half of the 20th century, between 1914 and 1945. The
World Aflame contains 200 stunning photographs from across both world wars – some iconic, but also many less well-known but nonetheless intimate and engaging snapshots in time. Each image is accompanied by a detailed account of historical context and explanation, taking the reader on the narrative journey across the decades. Jones provides essential details, highlighting key battles and landmark events with insightful commentary and factual description.
Though adding colour to monochrome photos has long been the subject of debate – with some suggesting it does not add anything, or even that it is disrespectful to historical images – there is no question that Amaral brings a visceral and at times brutal realism to the photos. It is clear there has been a huge amount of meticulous research behind each treatment, and the details that the addition of colour unlocks is engrossing. Once again, Jones and Amaral complement each other fantastically, providing a visual and written narrative that connects the two World Wars, as well as the many other conflicts between. This demonstrates the theory of the ‘Thirty-years’ or ‘Long-war’, during which immeasurable change impacted the entire world. Awe-inspiring, often emotional and at times breathtaking, this is a worthy addition for any historian’s shelves.