ST. LOUIS, June 25, 2009 - Strength and Compassion was the Grand Prize Winner at the 2009 New York Book Festival, adding another award to the book's growing list of achievements.

          The book has now been given nine awards, including the Gold Medal for ForeWord Magazine's 2008 Photography Book of the Year, the 2009 Photography Book of the Year at the National Indie Excellence Awards, the 2009 Photography Book of the Year at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the Silver Medal at the 2009 Nautilus Book Awards for Best Art Book, and four separate awards for book design, including a Gold Medal at The Hermes Creative Awards.

          Strength and Compassion brings together the best of Eric Greitens' award-winning international
humanitarian photography work with a striking series of essays. Engaging photographs from Rwanda, Cambodia, Albania, Mexico, India, the Gaza Strip, Croatia, and Bolivia, are combined with bold, intelligent essays on strength, pity, dignity, courage, faith, time, hope, and compassion.

          Though the photographs for this book were taken in different countries and amid different struggles, a common theme emerges:  even in times of great hardship and in the face of great evil, people with strength and compassion can live with courage. We see the unmistakable, sometimes irreparable consequences of violence and war, yet we also see the unmistakable, always inspiring power of men, women, and children who live through these trials with dignity and emerge with hope.

          Strength and Compassion is published by Leading Authorities Press and distributed by Small Press United, a division of Independent Publishers Group.

          A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book will be donated to The Mission Continues, an innovative nonprofit that empowers wounded and disabled veterans to continue their service at home as citizen leaders.  If you are interested in scheduling a book signing or speech with Eric Greitens, wish to request a signed copy of Strength and Compassion, or have any other inquiries please contact Timothy Ly at tly@greitensgroup.com