Drawing on an incredible archive of historic and contemporary imagery, former Imperial War Museum photo curator Hilary Roberts charts over 170 years of photographic manipulation in the causes of national morale, subterfuge and control of the winning narrative.

It is said that the camera never lies. But in the arena of war photography, its truth is subject to extreme distortion.

Drawing on an incredible archive of historic and contemporary imagery, former Imperial War Museum photo curator Hilary Roberts charts over 170 years of photographic manipulation in the causes of national morale, subterfuge and control of the winning narrative.

From the American civil war to the conflict in Gaza and Ukraine, this book delves into the to the practices of both professional and amateur conflict photographers - exploring the hows and whys of image distortion. By examining the consequences, Hilary also contemplates their enduring impact on our understanding of history, providing a nuanced perspective on the intricate interplay between images, truth, and the complexities of war.