Books by Ryszard Kapuściński
His body of work comprises 28 books published between 1962 and 2024. Each title has its own page with editions, reviews and study guides.
- works of reportage
- 14
- Lapidarium volumes
- 6
- essay collections
- 3
- poetry volumes
- 2
- introduction, reportage series, album
- 3
A key to his work
The power trilogy
Three works of reportage on how absolute power works and how it falls: the court of the Ethiopian emperor, the revolution in Iran and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Start with The Emperor →
All titles
- 1 1962 Nobody Leaves: Impressions of Poland reportage Ryszard Kapuściński's debut book — reportages from Poland painting a portrait of the country in the communist era.
- 2 1963 Black Stars reportage Reportages and essays by Ryszard Kapuściński about the struggle for freedom, dignity, and human resilience in the face of tyranny.
- 3 1968 The Kirghiz Dismounts reportage Ryszard Kapuściński's reportages from Central Asia and the Caucasus — a record of the collision between tradition and Soviet modernisation in the 1960s.
- 4 1969 Che Guevara — The Bolivian Diary introduction Che Guevara’s Bolivian Diary with an introduction and commentary by Ryszard Kapuściński. Background, themes and the final Bolivian campaign.
- 5 1969 If All Africa... reportage A collection of essays by Ryszard Kapuściński on the complexity of Africa: colonialism, independence, poverty, and the identity of the continent.
- 6 1970 Why Did Karl von Spreti Die? reportage Kapuściński's reportage on the kidnapping of the German ambassador reveals the political terrorism and geopolitical tensions of Latin America.
- 7 1975 Christ with a Rifle on His Shoulder reportage Kapuściński describes his encounters with priests involved in liberation movements in Latin America, uncovering the tensions between faith and political action.
- 8 1976 Another Day of Life reportage Ryszard Kapuściński's reportage from Angola 1975 — the only Western reporter who remained in Luanda until the last day of Portuguese colonialism.
- 9 1978 The Emperor reportage Ryszard Kapuściński's literary reportage about the court of the Emperor of Ethiopia — an analysis of the mechanisms of despotic power and the final years of Haile Selassie I.
- 10 1978 The Soccer War reportage Discover how sport became a field of political conflict. Kapuściński's reportage on the absurd Football War between El Salvador and Honduras.
- 11 1982 Shah of Shahs reportage Kapuściński's reportage on the Iranian Islamic Revolution and the fall of the Shah — an analysis of the mechanisms of social revolution and authoritarianism, 1978–1979.
- 12 1986 Notes poetry Ryszard Kapuściński's debut volume of poetry (1986) — the lesser-known, lyrical side of the great reporter.
- 13 1988 The World in Motion reportage series Reportages by Ryszard Kapuściński depicting the transformative political and social changes of the world — revolutions, decolonisation, and the counterculture of the 1960s.
- 14 1992 Lapidarium lapidarium Ryszard Kapuściński's aphorisms from Lapidarium — a collection of wise thoughts on time, human nature, and observations about the world.
- 15 1993 Imperium reportage Kapuściński's monumental reportage about the USSR — travels through the empire, the collapse of the system, and life under communism from the 1950s to 1991.
- 16 1996 Lapidarium II lapidarium A collection of aphorisms by Ryszard Kapuściński on life, death, politics, and love — gems of wisdom from the author's notes and diary.
- 17 1997 Lapidarium III lapidarium The third volume of Ryszard Kapuściński's reflections on old age, wisdom, and responsibility — a lapidary collection of thoughts from the writer's later years.
- 18 1998 The Shadow of the Sun reportage A collection of reportages by Ryszard Kapuściński about Africa. Fascinating stories about the continent's cultures, people, and history.
- 19 2000 From Africa album Ryszard Kapuściński's album of photographs from Africa (2000) — the continent seen through the eyes of a reporter and photographer.
- 20 2000 Lapidarium IV lapidarium Ryszard Kapuściński's aphorisms and reflections from the turn of the 1980s and 90s — on the collapse of the old order, solidarity, and the reporter's word.
- 21 2002 Lapidarium V lapidarium The fifth volume of Ryszard Kapuściński's lapidary reflections — notes on the metamorphoses of the world, the human condition, and the art of observation.
- 22 2003 A Portrait of the Reporter essays Ryszard Kapuściński's reflections on the ethics of journalism, the role of the reporter in a democracy, and the responsibility that comes with words.
- 23 2004 Travels with Herodotus reportage Ryszard Kapuściński's last major book — combining reportage with reflection on Herodotus as a guide through the world and its many cultures.
- 24 2006 The Laws of Nature poetry Ryszard Kapuściński's second volume of poetry (2006) — poems on transience, nature, and the human condition.
- 25 2006 The Other essays Ryszard Kapuściński's philosophical reflection on the possibility of understanding cultural differences, empathy, and tolerance in a divided world.
- 26 2007 Lapidarium VI lapidarium The final volume of Ryszard Kapuściński's aphorisms — his intellectual testament, containing reflections on life, death, and the spiritual legacy he leaves behind.
- 27 2013 This Is Not a Job for Cynics essays Ryszard Kapuściński's appeal to journalists to uphold ethical standards and humanitarian commitment, rejecting cynicism in the profession.
- 28 2024 A Bitter Taste of Water reportage His first reportage from India, Afghanistan and Japan (1956–1957), collected in a book for the first time.
About his work
Ryszard Kapuściński (1932–2007) was an outstanding Polish reporter, writer, and poet. For many years he served as a foreign correspondent for the Polish Press Agency (PAP), travelling the world and documenting the most important events of the 20th century.
Below you will find information about the most significant books from his rich literary output.