WAR STORIES

by Jeremy Bowen

Having joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984, Jeremy Bowen became a foreign correspondent four years later. He had witnessed violence already, both at home & abroad, but it wasn't until he covered his first war that he felt he had arrived. This is his story, examining his desire to become a war reporter & how the nature of the job has changed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography, War, Journalism

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2006

Reviews

[Mark Durrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bowen has produced an honest, no-holds-barred account of his experiences as a foreign correspondent during some of the most horrifying conflicts. I appreciated his candid insight into how such experiences affected his life.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bowen recounts his days as a foreign correspondent for the BBC, travelling to war torn lands to report the news. Some of the conflicts he talks about I recall as they happened within my lifetime and from when I was old enough to be aware of world events. It was interesting to sort of 'look back' and to think of how things are different, if at all. His explanations of the whys and wherefores are concise and easy to understand and he adds enough of a personal note to make the book the memoir it purports to be.

[Fionnuala · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those fast and compelling reads that still manages to have some real solidity to it. I absolutely flew through this one despite not wanting to -- it was a case of wishing there was more, because I'd happily read it if it had been twice the length, but that's just me being greedy. There was not a word wasted in this, and every one of them was deeply honest, insightful, interesting, or a combination of the above.

My single criticism is the fact I feel this book was written a little too close to the central event to really benefit from surety and hindsight. As well as a memoir of his time reporting on war, it is also a tribute to lost friends and a study of Bowen's changing view towards covering war, his addiction to it, and his ultimate decision to take a step back for the sake of his children. He's very honest about the fact that this was not an easy thing to do, and is candid about how he misses it and has complicated feelings regarding his decision. But the end of the book finds him back covering war, albeit no longer right at the front lines, and the final few pages (with the exception of a paragraph at the end that, compared to the rest of the book, seemed uncertain and rushed) are devoted to an uncharacteristically dry overview of the politics at the time in Israel and Palestine. It seemed as though Bowen lost his nerve at the point where some reflection on and affirmation of the the journey was required, and I got the feeling that was because he was still unsure of or dissatisfied with his decision and didn't want to put it into undeniable writing. It was a bit of a disappointing end to an otherwise brilliant book.

[Robert Arley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There can be few living journalists who have spent so much time in dangerous circumstances, admirably compiling information and video footage. Jeremy Bowen has spent a huge proportion of his career in war zones, and has seen many civilians, soldiers and colleagues come under fire.
His capacity to describe these incidents with insights and philosophy are humbling.
He puts armchair warriors to shame.

[Lukas]

The book was extraordinary. It communicated the life of a foreign correspondent during the Iraq and US war very well and showed the reader how him and the people there suffered. It made me understand what it takes for us to see these pictures at home in the evening news. It made me understand that not everything is how it seems, for example through censorship by the Iraq government and that we should always appreciate living in this country.

[Diane Fordham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time round for me with this fascinating book. Jeremy’s story is a very interesting insight into the madness that is the life of a journalist in a war zone. And the personal and emotional detail that he brings to the story as he takes us through his move away from the madness as his personal life takes him on a new journey is equally interesting. In addition to his story is the details of the wars that he has covered. I am undoubtedly better informed now.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty graphic illustration on his working life - and his early addcition to war zones - makes for good reading and illuminates some of the biases in main stream media but Jeremy tries to cut through it all with this memoir on hos journalism

[Allan Harle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read.

[Dave Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in parts, conceited in others …

[Judy Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging and insightful.

[Martin Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adie, Bell, Simpson, Doucet et al
Amazing

[Neil Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some excellent moments. Some very concise snippets of historical analysis were pithy and digestible.

On the other hand repetitious passages about the changes in the news cycle were very dull. Similar themes of journalistic morals could have been kept down to two or three lectures. A few almost Partridge like asides about cars and other rather dull trappings undermined the drama. The spine of the book was Bowen's evolving sense of personal danger and lots of the book felt like therapy or excuses which while personally interesting were not as interesting as the fascinating places and people Bowen has seen.

All in all it made war reporting seem both more dangerous and more plodding than I had previously imagined it.

[Lucy Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy is an old hand at sending pieces to camera from war torn countries and it all looks so effortless. This gritty account proves without a shadow of a doubt that it is not. In fact, the harsh life that war correspondents lead is quite simply astonishing, as they duck and dive with local people trying to survive in a war zone. The most touching aspect of Bowen's account is how affected he is by the loss of random friends he meets in the war-torn villages. Sudden death is a daily reality in his line of duty. A tremendous read by a real Pro.

[Lango142 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that gives a flavour of war reporting and the challenges both from a practical and emotional view point on everyone involved.
I enjoyed the pace of the book and also the human stories peppered throughout linked to the sense of danger and the passion to get a story out to try and bring the truth to viewers. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the book but I bought into Bowens emotional journey totally.

[Amanda King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best bbc breakfast reporter

[Abdullah Elshamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional
Flawless

[Andrew Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why am i the only person who remembers his stint as the best presenter ever on bbc breakfast?