Every year since 1955 an international jury has convened in Holland under the auspices of the World Press Photo Foundation to choose the finest press photographs of the year. Universally recognized as the definitive competition for photographic reporting, it draws submissions from photojournalists, newspapers, and magazines throughout the world.

Publishing the results of the most recent competition, this book contains the most haunting and inspiring photographs from 2011-some 200 pictures selected from more than 100,000 images submitted by photographers, picture agencies, newspapers, and magazines throughout the world. These prizewinning works capture the most powerful, moving, and sometimes disturbing events of the year.

200 illustrations in color and black and white