Monthly Archives: September 2008

WASHINGTON (Oct. 1, 2008)--Join National Geographic on a spiritual and cultural journey across the globe and through the millennia with an inspirational book, SACRED PLACES OF A LIFETIME: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0336-7; Oct. 21, 2008; $40).

This lavishly illustrated volume takes readers to 500 of the most powerful, emotional and evocative sites on the planet -- sacred places, ancient and modern, famous and lesser known, where men and women have reached out across the ages to connect with their beliefs. As richly diverse as human faith in all its forms, these are sites that lift our spirits and touch our souls. They include sacred landscapes, cradles of faith, pilgrimage routes, shrines, temples and churches, inspiring ruins, places steeped in prayer, and retreats that promise both spiritual and physical renewal.

The spiritual journey crisscrosses the globe, from the temple of Apollo at Delphi, Ayers Rock in Australia and Cambodia's Angkor Wat to Israel's Western Wall, the ancient pyramids of the kingdom of Kush in Sudan and New York City's Ground Zero. Readers will travel to a long-lost civilization of stone builders along the Gambia River in Senegal, venture into a cathedral made of salt in the heart of a Colombia mountain, marvel at the domed glories of Istanbul's Blue Mosque and trace the route of the Mormon Pioneer Trail from Nauvoo, Ill., to Salt Lake City, Utah. Also explored are a variety of ceremonies and festivals, including Canada's Kamloopa Powwow, Jamaica's Rastafarian Nyabinghi, South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival and Germany's Oberammergau Passion Play, performed once every 10 years.

"Travel is more than a journey of paces and spaces. It should also move your spirit," writes Keith Bellows, editor in chief of National Geographic Traveler magazine, in his foreword to the book. "'Sacred Journeys of a Lifetime' is a book not about spirituality or religion, but about those places that channel the wisdom of the ages, of far-flung cultures, and unique perspectives. This book explores the new magic -- magnetic destinations that have the power to change and move you. To alter your view of the worlds and your life. To empower you to commune with the forces of nature and the rhythms of your body."

The sites are described in eloquent detail, with locator maps and full-color photographs, information on the sites' history and lore, when and how to visit, tips on planning a trip, unmissable highlights, side trips, Web sites and other useful details.

The book also includes a glossary and a listing of the sites by religion and country.

Whether one is a believer or a cultural traveler, this magnificent and inspirational volume is a launch pad to a spiritual voyage of discovery in the truest and most profound sense of the word.

Faith-based travel is an important sector of the travel industry. According to a study by the Travel Industry Association of America, one quarter of all travelers of all faiths express current interest in taking a spiritual vacation -- a segment that brings in $18 billion worldwide. SACRED PLACES OF A LIFETIME, a follow-up to National Geographic Books' bestselling "Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips," will capture the attention of this rapidly growing market that is seeking unique cultural and meaningful destinations.

A video trailer of SACRED PLACES OF A LIFETIME can be viewed at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4XkmVsVCZI.


Note: To arrange an interview with Keith Bellows and to hear his top-five sacred places picks, contact Chandra Teitscheid at (202) 828-6678 or cteitsch@ngs.org.

WASHINGTON (Sept. 23, 2008)—Award-winning photojournalist and humanitarian Reza has devoted his life to bearing witness through his camera to the struggles and hopes of oppressed people around the world. In REZA WAR + PEACE (National Geographic Focal Point; ISBN 978-1-4262-0326-8; Nov. 18, 2008; $75), a 30-year retrospective of his work, this remarkable photographer chronicles his travels to places of conflict through exquisite images that pair turmoil with hope, joy with despair.

The book, with an introduction by Reza's friend, best-selling author Sebastian Junger, follows Reza's courageous career to the frontlines of war and areas of unrest as a photojournalist for such publications as National Geographic, Newsweek and Time.

Reza's journey has taken him from his native Iran, where he was jailed and tortured because of his photography, to dozens of countries gripped by turmoil — from Kurdistan to Egypt, Lebanon to Turkey, China to Israel, Somalia to South Africa. Through his lens, which captures not just conflict, but friendship, loyalty, family life and love, he takes us to such regions as northern Pakistan, where cultural shock and mutual incomprehension are deepening the gap between the American military and people in the tribal zones; Libya, a country making strides in economic and social well-being, but not in basic freedoms; Saudi Arabia, ruled by oil-rich princes whose opulent lives are in stark contrast to those of the "guest workers" who serve them; and Afghanistan, whose land and people have deeply touched Reza, helping him find his way in the labyrinth of his own nomadic life.

From scenes of demonstrations against the Shah of Iran to the tireless work of Afghan Northern Alliance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, from portraits of leaders such as Yassar Arafat, Benazir Bhutto and Indira Gandhi to images of ordinary, unsung heroes facing unspeakable hardships with dignity and courage, Reza uses the universal language of photography to move people to denounce injustice and celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

Behind every image lies a gripping story, and Reza tells these tales in his own words, focusing attention on the costs of war and the universal human condition. His message is not despairing, but ultimately hopeful.

In his introduction, Sebastian Junger offers intimate insight into his experiences working with Reza in the field. "Reza is a great photographer because he sees the common humanity in people, and he sees that humanity in people because he has studied them so hard through his camera lens. ... When Reza looks at a young Afghan — or a Rwandan or an Egyptian or a Palestinian — he doesn't just see the product of a ruined world; he sees the potential citizen of a better one, as well."

"My camera is always looking for the truth that often hides in the shadows," Reza writes. "Being patient, staying right in the thick of wars, celebrations, tears, screams, the core events of life, and becoming nothing but a visual resonance chamber — that is my role." By acting as a witness, Reza is contributing "to building a world where the word 'war' will belong in the past. I believe that, one day, humanity will remember these conflicts as a form of behavior practiced by its primitive ancestors. Then, peace will have triumphed."

Describing himself as "a pilgrim seeking a world in which the best of humanity blossoms and flourishes," Reza is committed also to taking action. In 2001 he founded Aïna, the Afghan Media and Cultural Center, an international nonprofit organization devoted to developing a free press in Afghanistan. It helps ensure that journalists, intellectuals and artists can speak freely, provides training in media and communications for women and offers educational programs for children.

REZA WAR + PEACE is part of National Geographic Book's new Focal Point imprint, which draws on National Geographic's legendary photographic archive of more than 10 million images and the work of distinguished photographers around the world. The imprint will present the finest in documentary photography past and present, and monographs will celebrate individual photographers' unique style, vision and skill.

As part of National Geographic Live!'s fall lecture program, Reza and Junger will take the stage at National Geographic headquarters on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m., to discuss the book.

Reza is a National Geographic Fellow and renowned photojournalist who has captured the world in photographs for many leading publications and in more than 15 books. In 2005 he was honored with the Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite, the French award for distinguished services in a public or private capacity. In 2006 he received the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism "in recognition of his lifelong contributions, through brilliant photojournalism, to justice and dignity for the world's citizens."

Note: To arrange an interview with Reza, contact Penelope Dackis at (202) 857-7335, pdackis@ngs.org, or Mary Jeanne Jacobsen at (202) 857-7759, mjacobse@ngs.org.