Odysseys And Photographs: Four National Geographic Field Men is a new book that celebrates the work of four of its greatest photographer-storytellers. The work and personal stories of Maynard Owen Williams, Luis Marden, Volkmar Wentzel and Thomas Abercrombie are showcased in this richly illustrated new book. Odysseys And Photographs includes 200 of the photographers’ most arresting images, many of which lay hidden in National Geographic’s archives for decades. A selection of 65 images from Odysseys And Photographs is currently on display at the National Geographic Museum in Washington.

National Geographic Press Release

ODYSSEYS AND PHOTOGRAPHS: Four National Geographic Field Men

Celebrating the Lives and Work of Four Legendary Photographer-Explorers

National Geographic magazine has set the standard for outstanding photojournalism for more than a century. Four of its greatest photographer-storytellers were Maynard Owen Williams, Luis Marden, Volkmar Wentzel and Thomas Abercrombie, who brought new lands and experiences to National Geographic readers as they traveled the globe as pioneering correspondents, recording a truly remarkable era.

The work and personal stories of these legendary master photographers who revolutionized their craft are showcased in a richly illustrated new book from National Geographic, ODYSSEYS AND PHOTOGRAPHS: Four National Geographic Field Men (National Geographic Focal Point; ISBN 978-1-4262-0172-1; Nov. 11, 2008; $40).

Their association with the Society spanned almost 100 years. Williams was in the field from 1919 to 1953, chronicling times and places that would soon change forever — from tribal life in Greenland to the giant Afghan Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Marden crisscrossed the globe from 1934 to 1976, breaking new ground in color and 35 mm photography both on land and undersea. Wentzel, who worked for National Geographic from 1937 to 1985, captured exquisite portraits and pageantry in Asia and Africa as well as the first complete image of Mount Everest from the South — a shot reportedly used by Sir Edmund Hillary to plan his historic ascent. Abercrombie, whose charisma and grace gained him unprecedented access to Middle Eastern societies in the latter half of the 20th century, introduced millions of readers to exotic cultures that few Westerners had ever seen.

While each member of this talented quartet was supported and nurtured both technically and creatively by National Geographic, each had his own interests and own distinctive style — and each made his own unique and valuable contribution to world culture, science and history.

Affectionate biographies of the photographers, with intimate, behind-the scenes details and anecdotes that portray the real person behind the lens, are penned by close associates and loved ones who knew them best. Leah Bendavid-Val, author and director of photography book publishing at National Geographic, chronicles the career of Williams; Mark Collins Jenkins, National Geographic archivist and author, profiles the debonair Marden; Viola Wentzel, scholar and writer, shares the life story of her late husband Volkmar; and Gilbert M. Grosvenor, former National Geographic president and editor of the yellow-bordered magazine, pays tribute to his friend and colleague Abercrombie.

The book includes 200 of the photographers’ most arresting images, many of which lay hidden in National Geographic’s archives for decades. These historic photographs present a unique visual chronicle of the previous century, highlighting intriguing lands, events and faces as well as the talent and ingenuity of these stellar innovators.

Grosvenor also writes the introduction, outlining the history of photography at National Geographic and showing how these four men contributed dramatically to the success of the magazine.
In his foreword, National Geographic photographer Sam Abell pays tribute to these pioneers “who defined for me and my generation what it meant to be a National Geographic photographer.” 

This magnificent book offers a tantalizing glimpse into past world events and the glamorous, globetrotting lifestyles of four of National Geographic’s top correspondents through whose eyes we experience the rich emotion and spectacle of the human adventure.

ODYSSEYS AND PHOTOGRAPHS 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 presents the finest in documentary photography past and present, and monographs celebrate individual photographers’ unique style, vision and skill.

A selection of 65 images from ODYSSEYS AND PHOTOGRAPHS is on display at the National Geographic Museum, 1600 M Street, Washington, D.C., until Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.

As part of National Geographic Live!’s fall lecture program, Leah Bendavid-Val and Mark Jenkins will share stories of the four photographers along with their images, while acclaimed actors Robert Prosky and Rick Foucheux will bring the words to life. The event will take place at National Geographic headquarters on Monday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m.

Cover Photo by Volkmar Wentzel ©2008 National Geographic

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