A Seventh Man
A Book of Images and Words about the Experience of Migrant Workers in Europe
Published on 30. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-80429-856-5 (ISBN)
Description
First published in 1975, this finely wrought investigation remains as urgent as ever, presenting the life of those who have travelled to live and work in Europe. Art critic, novelist, and artist John Berger brings humanity and a voice to those silenced in the political debate about who does and doesn't belong.
Why does the Western world look to migrant labourers to perform the most menial tasks? What compels people to leave their homes and accept this humiliating situation? In A Seventh Man, Berger and Jean Mohr come to grips with what it is to be a migrant worker - the material circumstances and the inner experience - and, in doing so, reveal how the migrant is not so much on the margins of modern life but at its centre.
Why does the Western world look to migrant labourers to perform the most menial tasks? What compels people to leave their homes and accept this humiliating situation? In A Seventh Man, Berger and Jean Mohr come to grips with what it is to be a migrant worker - the material circumstances and the inner experience - and, in doing so, reveal how the migrant is not so much on the margins of modern life but at its centre.
Reviews / Votes
I admire and love John Berger's books. He writes about what is important, not just interesting-in contemporary English letters, he seems to be peerless; not since Lawrence has there been a writer who offers such attentiveness to the sensual world with responsiveness to the imperatives of conscience. He is a wonderful artist and thinker. -- Susan Sontag This book is ever more timely. -- Geoff Dyer His most remarkable book * Economist *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
B/W photos throughout
Dimensions
Height: 192 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
206 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80429-856-5 (9781804298565)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
John Berger
A Seventh Man
A Book of Images and Words about the Experience of Migrant Workers in Europe
E-Book
09/2025
Verso Books
€22.49
Available for download
Person
Storyteller, novelist, essayist, screenwriter, dramatist and critic, John Berger (1926-2017) was one of the most internationally influential writers of the last fifty years. His many books include Ways of Seeing; the fiction trilogy Into Their Labours; Here Is Where We Meet; the Booker Prize-winning novel G; Hold Everything Dear; the Man Booker-longlisted From A to X; and A Seventh Man.