Product Description

Drawing on John Simpson's acclaimed volumes of autobiography and hitherto unpublished material, "Twenty Tales from the War Zone" brings together some of the highlights of his remarkable journalistic career. Whether dodging guerrillas at a cocaine market in Colombia, narrowly escaping a murderous Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, interviewing a flatulent Colonel Gadaffi, crossing the border into Afghanistan dressed in a fetching bright blue burka or being kidnapped at gunpoint - or was it a finger in a pocket - in the backstreets of Belfast at the height of the troubles, Simpson paints a vivid picture of what being a journalist on the front line is all about, from low comedy to high drama. It's a rollercoaster ride that is sure to thrill anyone who dares to join it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17116 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 124 pages

About the Author
John Simpson is the BBC's World Affairs Editor. He has twice been the Royal Television Society's Journalist of the Year and won countless other major television awards. He has written several books, including four volumes of autobiography, Strange Places, Questionable People , A Mad World, My Masters, News from No Man's Land and, most recently, Days from a Different World. The Wars Against Saddam, his compelling account of the West's relationship with Iraq and his two decades reporting on that relationship encompassing two Gulf Wars and the fall of Saddam Hussein, is also published by Pan Macmillan. He lives in London with his South African wife, Dee, and their son, Rafe.

Customer Reviews

Funny, Exciting, Moving and Inspiring
In just few pages, John Simpson takes the reader into a journey through some of the most significant events that shaped the lives of millions in Europe and the Middle East, i.e. the fall of the Berlin wall, the 2nd Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the Islamic revolution in Iran, and the Bush's wars on Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition to the above events, the book contains few chapters describing Simpson's encounters with a number of prominent figures such as Nelson Mandel, Princess Diana, Colonel Gadhafi and Osama Bin Ladin.

Although the chapters are short (5 pages each), they tend to concentrate on a specific aspect within the event, focusing on the human element of the story, engaging the reader and invoking emotions.

Having been a fan of John Simpson's journalism, this book has certainly lived up to my expectations. Thoroughly enjoyable, highly recommended.

Perfectly formed
If you've not read John Simpson's books then this is a perfect starting point.

If, like me, you're a bit of a fan then this is a very nice work and can be read in a few hours, yet the memories will stay with you for weeks.

And like Simpson himself, I too had a nightmare about the IRA man's chilling words to him at the Funeral.

If I say anymore, I'll give too much away!

Enjoy!

Brilliant Book by a Brilliant Journalist
Read this book in one day and in one read. I forsook 2 episodes of my favourite TV sitcom just to read this book. Reading a good fictional Crichton novel is one thing but reading the real 'McCoy' from John Simpson who has cheated death more often than Fidel Castro is something else. Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan ; Simpson must have at least seen the colours of the Pearly Gates . He keeps the narrative simple, and you witness how he matures as his journalistic career progresses.
Scoops with Gadhaffi, Saddam, Khomeini,Bokassa and Osama show this guy has guts.He is at an age where most people water their lawns but instead whets our appetites for quality news.
Enough said; writing this review prompts me for a reread and it's already late.