Disclaimer: The red highlighted links within this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases so this means if you click on a red link and make a purchase I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions, although small, help towards paying the costs associated with running this blog. In addition, I hope that many of these affiliate links may prove useful to you in planning your future travel experiences
Nick Danziger (1958 to now)
Biography – Nick Danziger
Nick Danziger is a British photographer, filmmaker, and travel writer renowned for his compelling documentation of marginalized communities worldwide. Born in London and raised in Monaco and Switzerland, his passion for adventure was ignited by the comic-strip reporter Tintin, leading him to embark on a solo adventure to Paris at the age of 13 without a passport or air ticket. Nick’s initial ambition was to be an artist, and he attended the Chelsea School of Art where he gained an MA in Fine Art. His initial reputation however was built through the writing of three diverse travelogues. Subsequently, he has gone on to gain a renowned reputation as a travel based photographer and film maker.
Read about Paul Theroux and his Books
Selected Summaries of Nick Danziger’s Work
a) Danziger’s three travelogues are:
Danziger’s Adventures: From Miami to Kabul (1992)
Country Setting: United States (Miami), Afghanistan (Kabul)
Themes Addressed: Socioeconomic disparities, cultural contrasts, impact of conflict on societies, personal adaptability.
In this narrative, Danziger embarks on a diverse journey from the bustling streets of Miami to the war-torn landscapes of Kabul. His travels shed light on the contrasting worlds he explores, offering readers an intimate look into the lives of people across different continents.
Read about Dervla Murphy and her Books
Danziger’s Travels: Beyond Forbidden Frontiers (1993)
Country Settings: Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, China
Themes Addressed: Cultural immersion, resilience amid adversity, complexities of geopolitical landscapes, spirit of exploration.
This book chronicles Danziger’s 18-month journey along the ancient Silk Road, traversing from Turkey to China. Disguised as a local traveller, he navigated through regions often inaccessible to Westerners, providing a vivid account of the landscapes and cultures encountered.
Read about Patrick Leigh Fermor and his Books
Danziger’s Britain: A Journey to the Edge (1996)
Country Setting: United Kingdom
Themes Addressed: Social inequality, economic decline, marginalized communities, societal neglect.
Danziger explores the fringes of British society, visiting areas plagued by poverty, crime, and unemployment. Through personal stories, he sheds light on the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the UK.
Read about John Steinbeck and his Books
b) Danziger’s Film work / Documentaries include:
French Letters – 4 films for Channel 4 (1994)
A look at the France tourists never see: illegal immigrants, rundown housing estates and villages with dark secrets. The first programme looks at the sapeurs-pompiers (fire brigade) based in the notorious La Courneuve housing estate in the Paris suburbs. The second is based in Marseille, with the illegals’ brigade who seek out clandestine immigrants. The third visits a valley in the Vosges where the unsolved murder of a toddler 10 years ago brought the village to notoriety and the final episode returns to Paris to investigate the practice of pistonner – or greasing the pistons of family life with bribery.
Return to the Travel Writers Page
Postcards From The Edge – 3 films for Channel 4 (1996)
A study of people who live on the fringes of contemporary Britain. Through using a montage of film and black-and-white stills it presents a series of powerful, intimate human stories, narrated by the subjects themselves. It examines the lives of six sets of individuals, all of whom are living on the edge of society. They include Mary from Glasgow, a mother of nine children, eight of whom have succumbed to the ravages of drugs. An ex-wrestler and war hero from Newcastle who refuses to be intimidated by the gangs of glue-sniffing children who are terrorising his neighbourhood. Two former shipworkers from Barrow, who, after 35 years at the Vickers shipyard, were forced into uncertainty and unemployment following mass redundancies.
Read about J.R.R. Tolkien and his Books
The Fight for Hearts and Minds – 2 films for Channel 4 (1997)
A two-part report from the NHS frontline, using Nick Danziger’s black and white stills. The first, ‘The heart transplant’, reveals the stresses and fears of a trainee heart surgeon at Harefield Hospital in Middlesex. The second ‘The breaking point’ provides a rare insight into life beyond the walls of a psychiatric hospital, following two on-call junior doctors at the Maudsley in South London who, during their shift have to deal with suicide attempts, manic outbursts and a woman brought in by the police for creating a disturbance.
The Establishment – 6 films for Channel 4 (1999)
A six-part series in which Danziger meets six archetypal establishment figures including The Duke of Westminster, Britain’s richest landowner, the Bishop of Durham, the Commander-in-chief, Army, the Masters of Trinity College, Cambridge, the Editor of the Times and Lord Gowrie – Patron of the Arts. Each documentary explores the establishment role of each participant, together with providing an insight into the individuals themselves.
Eleven Women Facing War – 11 films for ICRC (2002)
Danziger travels to conflict zones worldwide to document in film the lives of eleven women affected by war. Through his film making he sheds light on the impact of armed conflict on eleven women as seen through the eyes of the women themselves. The eleven films are filmed in war torn communities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Africa.
c) Danziger’s photographic works include:
The British: A Photographic Journey (2002)
A photographic documentary in which Danziger presents black-and-white images depicting Britain’s diverse social classes. From the halls of Westminster to inner-city neighborhoods, he offers a comprehensive portrait of British life at the turn of the millennium, portraying the stark contrasts and social issues prevalent in 1990s Britain
Between Heaven and Earth: A Journey Through Christian Ethiopia (2007)
Commissioned by the British Council, Danziger documents the rich tapestry of Christian traditions and communities in Ethiopia. His travels take him to ancient monasteries and remote villages, capturing the spiritual essence of the nation. His work offers insights into a nation where faith and daily life are deeply intertwined.
Missing Lives (2010)
This poignant work takes Danziger to the Balkans where, in collaboration with author Rory MacLean, he captures the aftermath of conflict and the enduring pain of families searching for loved ones who went missing during the conflicts of the 1990s . Through photographs and narratives, Danziger captures the enduring pain and hope of those left behind, highlighting the human cost of war and the universal quest for closure.
Mana: The All Blacks New Zealand Rugby Tour (2011)
Traveling on tour with the team, Danziger offers an intimate photographic glimpse into the world of New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team. His work highlights the cultural significance of rugby in New Zealand society as he captures their experiences within the sacred space of their camp and reveals the highs and lows of this iconic team.
Revisited – Royal Geographical Society, London, Exhibition (2011 – 2012)
In this photographic project Danziger retraces his steps from previous journeys to reconnect with individuals he had photographed years earlier. His travels offer a longitudinal perspective on the lives of those in war-torn and impoverished regions, highlighting changes and enduring challenges.
Above the Line: People and Places in North Korea, Exhibition – The British Council, London, (2014)
Danziger provides a rare glimpse into North Korea, capturing the daily lives of its citizens. Through his photographs and narratives, he documents the country’s landscapes and the resilience of its people, offering insights into a nation often shrouded in mystery. In this work he captures both the ordinary and the extraordinary aspects of this isolated nation.
Other Suggested Travel Writers and Travel Related Story Tellers:
Suggested Travel Writers:
Jan Morris
Simon Winchester
William Dalrymple
Bruce Chatwin
Suggested Travel Related Story Tellers:
Graham Greene
Ernest Hemingway
Jack Kerouac
———————————————————————–
———————————————————————
Who is your Favourite Travel Writer
Tags:
#travelwriters #top10besttravelwriters #johnsteinbeck #jrrtolkien #Ernesthemingway #grahamgreene #patrickleighfermor #dervlamurphy #paultheroux #nickdanziger #janmorris #simonwinchester #brucechatwin #top10travelwriters #toptravelwriters #jackkerouac #besttravelbook #toptravelbooks
Dave’s Travel World 