If the Earth could speak, what tale would it tell? Our planet has endured roughly 14,500 wars since 3500 B.C., witnessing more than 3.5 billion lives snuffed out in the relentless arena of organized violence. War remains humanity’s most persistent and tragic cultural thread, and at its core lie the people—both the aggressors and the victims. We may stumble upon the fallen bodies, yet we stand on the memory of their sacrifice.

10 The Japanese Soldier

At the swirling center of the Pacific theater, a claustrophobic battle was unfolding on the tiny tropical island of Guadalcanal in 1942. Under a cloud of choking humidity, surrounded by swarms of mosquitoes so determined that they sometimes had to be cut out of a soldier’s skin, Allied forces fought an unseen enemy inch by inch through a nearly impenetrable wall of vegetation.

Tagging along with an American patrol unit, LIFE photographer Ralph Morse had an opportunity few civilians would ever want: a soldier’s‑eye view of the caustic brutality of war. During one patrol, the company stumbled upon a disabled tank on a forlorn stretch of beach. Mounted just under the turret was the dessicated head of a Japanese soldier, mouth stretched wide in an eternal scream. The patrol gave it a wide berth—it was most likely booby‑trapped.

This picture may have finally showed the world the casual barbarity that was becoming commonplace in the war. Although atrocities were happening all over the globe, the Pacific brought out the stark nature of the acts. While Japanese soldiers booby‑trapped dead bodies, American forces beheaded corpses and mounted the heads on spikes. Both sides made necklaces of human teeth as trophies of war.

9 The Bombing Of Massawa

May 29, 1991 marked the end of Eritrea’s 30‑year struggle for independence from Ethiopia. Scarcely a year before that historic day, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) began a massive offensive against the Ethiopian port city of Massawa, hoping to disrupt the Ethiopian army’s supply line. After three days of heavy fighting, the EPLF had managed to secure the city.

But Ethiopia wasn’t quite ready to give it up. For days on end, they blanketed the city in napalm and cluster bombs that took the lives of hundreds on the ground. A month later, the aerial bombing began again. As food stores and relief aid burned, civilians starved in huddled masses under improvised bomb shelters.

Most of the images and videos that came out of the massacre were too gruesome for the media, but this single image of an Eritrean man sitting on a bomb casing spoke louder than the most visceral images ever could. The bleak desolation in both the man’s eyes and his surroundings paints the lives of Eritrean citizens at that time with intricate brush strokes that will never fade from history.

8 An Innocent Mistake

Taken by photographer Chris Hondros in Iraq in 2005, this unforgettable image illustrates the far‑reaching consequences that can follow any act during wartime, proving that even accidents can leave you with blood on your hands that will never wash off. Hondros tagged along during a routine patrol in downtown Tal Afar, a city in northern Iraq, to hopefully grab a few photos of Apache Company doing their patriotic duty. As dusk settled in and the streets cleared for the 6:00 PM curfew, the company turned down a street and came across a car heading their way.

Edgy from a recent ambush, the soldiers fired a few warning shots with no visible reaction from the car’s occupants. It kept coming, so someone opened fire. Eventually, they all opened fire. As the car rolled closer, now just coasting on its momentum, they heard something more terrifying than an army of insurgents firing back: children crying.

Inside the car had been a family. It was a mother, a father, and four children, trying to get home before the curfew. They hadn’t seen the camouflaged soldiers, so they sped up when they heard the warning shots, a natural reaction to gunshots in an area where skirmishes can and do break out at any time. The children hadn’t been hit, but their parents were almost unrecognizable. Those children will forever bear the scars of the night their lives were irrevocably altered while the soldiers went back to base to play Nintendo.

7 Rhodesian Interrogation

The Rhodesian Bush War doesn’t have a place in many history books. The conflict, which spanned 13 years from 1964–1979, was the climax of social tension that had been brewing for nearly two centuries, beginning with the colonization of southern Africa by white settlers near the end of the 19th century.

As the Caucasian grip began to slip in the 1960s, African nationalists took up the cry of revolution and staged a bloody guerrilla war that coalesced into an all‑out race war. The guerrillas saw their cause as one of liberation against foreign oppressors, while the predominantly white government viewed the increasing attacks as terrorist insurgency. Farms and homesteads in the outskirts were the hardest hit—after the first brutal attacks, white farmers settled into a siege mentality. While the men worked, the women defended the home.

The Rhodesian government retaliated mercilessly. On many occasions, they killed civilians in their quest to hunt down and eradicate the slippery guerrilla forces. When guerrillas were captured, they were put through grueling interrogations that often crossed the line into torture. Journalist J. Ross Baughman captured this photo of a government cavalry unit forcing prisoners to hold a push‑up position at gunpoint for 45 minutes in the scorching midday sun. Each time a man fell shaking to the ground, soldiers took him around a corner, knocked him out, and fired a gunshot into the air. By the end of the interrogation, the remaining prisoners were psychological wrecks.

6 Clean‑Up At Cold Harbor

Described by the Library of Congress only as “African‑Americans collecting bones of soldiers killed in the battle,” this photo offers a morbid glimpse into a war that is too often remembered only for its generals. The two weeks of horror that were the Battle of Cold Harbor began on May 31, 1864 and resulted in over 18,000 casualties. And it was all for nothing—as General Grant later said, “no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the losses we suffered.”

For four days after the battle, the wounded and dying were left to fester under the open sky while the officers in their tents drafted an agreement to allow medics to venture into the wasteland to tend to their wounded. By the time they arrived, it was too late—most of the men had died. The medics were recalled and the clean‑up crews were sent instead. Stretcher after stretcher was filled with soldiers who had fought their last fight.

5 Siffleet’s Beheading

When this photo was first published in LIFE magazine, the cry of indignation was felt around the world. The man in the picture is believed to be Australian Sergeant Leonard Siffleet. The photo, which was taken after Siffleet was captured during a recon mission in Papua New Guinea, was found in the uniform of a dead Japanese soldier the next year. Both of Siffleet’s companions were also beheaded.

Beheading was a fairly common form of execution for the Japanese in World War II, and it seemed that every falling blow rippled through the moral consciousness of the West. From single executions such as this to the three‑day massacre at Changjiao, where 30,000 Chinese civilians were executed at the hands of Shonruko Hata, it began to seem like Japan was going to outpace Hitler as the most evil force at work in World War II.

4 James E. Callahan

During the Vietnam War, a lethal section of Vietnam 80 kilometers (50 mi) north of Saigon called “War Zone D” served as a hiding spot for untold numbers of Viet Cong forces. Ambushes and firefights were common in the zone, and surprise skirmishes could easily turn into days‑long battles amid the dense jungle undergrowth and rubber plantations.

On June 17, 1967, medic James E. Callahan was deep in War Zone D with a battalion of infantrymen when an ambush drove them to cover. The battle dragged on for three hours, and by the end of it, 31 men in the division had been killed and over 100 had been wounded.

As the bullets whistled overhead, Callahan sprang into action. Photographer Henri Huet captured the above photo as Callahan tried to save a dying soldier. The frantic desperation evident in Callahan’s face mirrored the popular American opinion of the war in Vietnam at the time, and the photo became one of the most famous to come out of Vietnam between 1955 and 1975.

3 Invasion Of Inchon

Every battle in every war comes at a terrible cost. Unfortunately, those most affected are usually the civilians who just want the fighting to end. This heart‑wrenching photo from the invasion of Inchon, South Korea is a perfect testament to that fact.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) launched an invasion of South Korea. Although the United Nations quickly stepped in to back South Korea, the North Korean forces secured victory after victory in their merciless push to the south. For months, the NKPA proved an unstoppable onslaught, and both the UN and South Korean forces were pushed all the way to the Pusan Perimeter at the lower edge of the Korean Peninsula.

Backed into a corner, the UN tried a desperate gamble—an amphibious assault on the port city of Inchon, right below the North Korean border, on September 15. With Inchon as a foothold, South Korea was able to recapture Seoul and turn the tide of the war, although there were still months of bloodshed to follow.

2 Orange Legacy

One of the continuing legacies of the senseless brutality of the Vietnam War was the use of Agent Orange, the infamous herbicide that was sprayed over Vietnamese foliage to flush out Viet Cong forces and destroy their food sources. The US army dropped approximately 75.5 million liters (20 mil gal) of Agent Orange over Vietnam and parts of Cambodia. Although the end of the war seemed to signal the end of suffering, life doesn’t always play fair.

Four and a half decades later, the people in the spray zone are still dealing with the debilitating effects of the dioxin contamination that seeped into their bodies and land. While Washington steadfastly refuses to take responsibility for the damage, the children and grandchildren of women who were exposed are being born with birth defects. The photo above shows a veteran of the Vietnam War bathing her 14‑year‑old son in 2006.

1 Funeral For A Father

There’s no violence or gore in this picture. It’s not shocking in the usual, glaring sense of the word. It’s just a young boy with his head high and his chin strong, holding back tears as a soldier hands him a flag at his father’s funeral. But in its own way, it’s just as shocking as any photo snapped in the aftermath of a battle because it defines the people who still have their entire lives to feel the piercing heartbreak of loss.

The boy is Christian Golczynski, and he’s eight years old. His father, Marine Staff Sergeant Marc Golczynski, had been shot down while on a patrol in Iraq’s al‑Aanbar province just a week before his tour of duty was supposed to end. With the whir of a shutter, Christian became the trembling face of a people without brothers, fathers, or sons. But hope is an indomitable force—inspired by his own loss, Christian has become involved in A Soldier’s Child, a charity organization that sends Christmas gifts to children who have lost parents in the line of duty.

An observation deck allows you a birds-eye view of whatever location you happen to be in. Some of the most popular observation decks in the world include the Eiffel Tower, One World Trade Center, and the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Some decks, however, have been built with adrenaline junkies in mind who want to get their hearts racing while appreciating the view.

Warning: if you’re not fond of heights, you might want to look away now.

Related: 10 Astounding Facts You Didn’t Know About Skyscrapers

10 Sampa Sky

The Sampa Sky observation deck in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was inaugurated in August 2021 and has already received over 11,000 visitors. The glass floor deck was inspired by a similar structure inside the Willis Tower in Chicago and is located on the 42nd floor of the highest building in Sao Paulo, the Mirante do Vale.

Those who are not afraid of heights will be able to take selfies inside a transparent box while gazing at the city below their feet. It is the least scary observation deck on this list and a great place to watch the sunset.^[1]

9 EdgeWalk

If Sampa Sky is too “tame” for your liking, there is always the CN Tower EdgeWalk—the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk. The CN Tower, located in Toronto, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and stands 553 meters (1,815 feet) high. The EdgeWalk ledge snakes around the tower at a height of 356 meters (1,168 feet)—116 stories above the busy streets.

Before heading up to get your “edge walk” on, you will be asked many questions about your mental health and also tested for alcohol. Once you pass the tests, you are given a safety briefing, after which you can make your way up to the ledge—which is only 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide. You will be given a jumpsuit to wear and put into a harness. The harness is attached to ropes that are then attached to a rail on the edge of the tower. When you are ready, you can then dangle over the ledge of the EdgeWalk and slowly make your way around the tower while taking in the view.^[2]

8 Shanghai Skywalk

If you’re into living on the edge but want to stick a little closer to the ground, the 88-story skywalk that encircles the Jin Mao Tower in China might just be the thrill you are looking for. This skywalk doesn’t have any handrails, which means those who want to try it out are strapped to the side of the building via a harness.

The 60-meter-long (200 feet) ledge is only 1.2 meters (4 feet) wide and can accommodate 15 walkers at a time. From the ledge, walkers can take in panoramic views of Shanghai as well as the top of the hotel atrium below them.^[3]

7 Stairway to Nothingness

For a thrilling adventure that provides stunning views of the Alps instead of a concrete jungle, look no further than the Stairway to Nothingness at the Dachstein Glacier resort in Austria. The adventure comprises a 100-meter-long (328 feet) suspension bridge constructed at the edge of a 400-meter (1,300 feet) vertical cliff. At the end of the bridge are 14 steps that descend to a glass viewing platform.

The Dachstein Glacier resort’s website notes that the Stairway to Nothingness is only for visitors with “nerves of steel” who will be rewarded by the “pure freedom” of hovering above the cliff while gazing out at the beauty of the Alps.^[4]

6 Aurland Lookout

The Aurlandsfjord in Norway is truly spectacular, and to allow visitors to see it from every available angle, the Aurland Lookout Tower, or Stegastein, has been constructed 650 meters (2,135 feet)above it. The viewing deck is made from steel, dressed in pine, and stretches 30 meters (100 feet) before plunging downward toward a thin pane of glass that is the only thing between you and a steep drop.

The glass is meant to encourage the feeling of “falling into nature,” although those with a fear of heights might feel like they’re falling into the fjord instead.^[5]

5 SkyPoint Climb

The SkyPoint Observation Deck is situated on levels 77 and 78 of the Q1 skyscraper in Queensland, Australia. The Q1 held the title of the tallest residential building in the world between 2005 and 2011 and is now the 11th tallest. It is the only beachside observation deck in Australia and can accommodate 400 people. From the deck, visitors can see all the way to Brisbane, the Gold Coast hinterland, Byron Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.

Those who want a little more action can pay an additional fee and try out SkyPoint Climb. It is the highest external building climb in Australia, and the climbing starts at level 77. Almost 300 stairs lead to the Q1 Spire, while you enjoy fantastic views. Those who really have no problem with heights can walk along the edge of the stairs and ignore the internal handrail, as well as the 270-meter (885 feet) vertical drop below their feet.^[6]

4 Bihar Glass Bridge

The Hangzhou glass bridge in China served as inspiration for the spectacular glass bridge that overlooks the forests and mountains of Rajgir in the Nalanda district in Bihar, India. The bridge is part of a jungle safari that also includes glass-covered cabins that can accommodate eight tourists each. These cabins form part of a ropeway that gets tourists up close with the forests.

It is hoped that the new glass bridge attraction will increase the number of tourists in the area. The 25-meter-long (85 feet) and 61-meter-high (200 feet) bridge can hold 40 visitors at a time. The bridge will be one of a variety of activities for tourists, which include visiting the Son Bhandar caves and taking a dip in the hot water springs of Brahma Kund.^[7]

3 Step into the Void

“Step into the Void” almost sounds like a horror movie, but it is, in fact, a vertigo-inducing tourist attraction formally known as the Aiguille du Midi skywalk. It is situated high up in the French Alps at an altitude of 3,842 meters (12,600 feet). “The Void” consists of a glass box with a glass floor, allowing visitors an unobstructed look at the dramatic landscape.

A small elevator has been installed to get tourists to the glass box, and there is also a cable car that travels to the summit of the mountain. The Aiguille du Midi is a peak in the Mont Blac massif, and for those who are not avid mountain climbers or hikers, the skywalk is the closest you can get to Mont Blanc.^[8]

2 Glass Love Bridge

There are many incredible places to see and things to do in Vietnam, including hiking in national parks, gazing in awe at the wonder of Halong Bay, and visiting Ho Chi Minh City. In 2019, the country debuted yet another tourist attraction in the form of the 5D Love Bridge. The bridge is Vietnam’s first glass suspension bridge with 5D effects and was built in only four months. The 80-meter-long (262 feet) structure offers 30 special effects in total and was designed with the theme of love in mind. It is 20 meters (66 feet) high and offers impressive views of the immense mountains and forests of Moc Chau.

A second glass bridge was opened later in 2019, giving visitors a fantastic view of the O Quy Ho Mountain Pass in the northern Lai Chau province. The Rong May bridge is 600 meters (1,970 feet) high and 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level. A 300-meter-tall (985 feet) glass elevator gets you to the bridge, and the beautiful glass structure itself gets you to the mountain peak. Just try to not look down.^[9]

1 Huangtengxia Tianmen Sky Walk

The glass-bottomed Huangtengxia Tianmen Sky Walk in southeast China is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Three support pillars hold up a viewing platform that juts out 368 meters (1,200 feet) from a cliff edge. It is the world’s longest and tallest single-column cantilevered glass corridor and holds the largest circular waterfall.

The 500-meter-high (1,650 feet) skywalk comprises two oval structures: one a horizontal walkway and the other a vertical tower, which is reachable by an open-air corridor. The glass is 99.9% transparent and can bear the weight of around 4,000 people.

As dawn breaks over the area every day, the structure is often obscured by low-level clouds and at night it is illuminated by 2,000 multi-colored LED lights.^[10]

In 2019, a fashion show was held on the skywalk, with the models instructed to walk out onto the platform barefoot to avoid scratching the glass panels.