Product Description

What kind of a world do we live in when governments are able to pursue wars against not only the will of the people, but also the international institutions set up to promote peace? In the first World War 90% of casualties were soldiers; in recent wars 90% of casualties are civilians. But instead of bringing home the real human costs of war, the advent of 'live' conflict coverage has led to television being used as just another propaganda tool. In THROUGH GATES OF FIRE, Martin Bell uses his personal experiences as a reporter of eleven wars, and independent MP, to write an impassioned, heartfelt and coruscating call to arms. The three central theses are the way in which war, politics and journalism have changed beyond all recognition in the past thirty years. Bell pleads with poetic conviction for a stark reappraisal of the world we're creating for ourselves, as politics becomes increasingly remote from ordinary lives and reports from the front line often seem more like scenes from a Hollywood movie.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #264220 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Graeme Green, SUNDAY EXPRESS
'it is an important, heartfelt book, providing a voice of reason in a world gone made.'

Review
''Bell pulls no punches in this angry, wise and at time apocalyptic assessment of what he calls the New World Order.' (DAILY MAIL )

'it is an important, heartfelt book, providing a voice of reason in a world gone made.' (Graeme Green SUNDAY EXPRESS )

'this intriguing book......his UNICEF work allows him to revist many of the places from which he has reported, and provides som eof the book's most moving passages.' (SUNDAY TIMES )

SUNDAY TIMES
'this intriguing book......his UNICEF work allows him to revist many of the places from which he has reported, and provides som eof the book's most moving passages.'

Customer Reviews

Bell Bites Back - and he means business!
Journalists come and go, but none come as close in writing such unashamedly confrontational stuff than Martin Bell. Himself a journalist, this book tells on his own thoughts about the changing face of war reporting over the last 30 years, through his own experience.

As the title suggests, Bell takes us on a journey 'through gates of fire'. The material in it is so compelling and thought provoking, one can't help but strongly agree on what he is saying. For instance, on the subject of news, you can't help but agree with the fact that nowadays, news is all about putting profit before presenting quality stories. And Bell's own experience makes light work of such heavy criticism he places on the face of modern news reporting. 'Actions have consequences' is one quote he continually mentions throughout the book - and he does so for a very good purpose; to remind ourselves that any war fought will have consequences and the way news reports it will have consequences as well. And considering the recent war in Iraq, you can bet your life that the book was primarily based on it.

This book is more than just a 'journey into world disorder'. It is a voyage into the dark side of war and politics, and the darker side of journalism. And for any war sceptic, young or old, I strongly recommend this book. If you thought you knew the world inside out, think again; as Bell himself quotes, 'this is a world in which it isn't even safe to be dead'.

A real understanding of modern war politics
A compelling profile of modern war through politics and journalism from a writer that has expreienced both. Bell articulates sensible and thought provoking arguements that can only align you with his way of thinking. His only slight mistake is maybe a slight bias towards the BBC for which he obviously holds a lot of respect in comparison with other broadcasters but by no means detracts from the quality of the writing.

Easy reading; thought provoking!
Having read his "An Accidental MP" my respect for Martin Bell grew, particularly as he showed great talent as a writer as well as being a news reporter/politician.

This book follows on in the same vein discussing the problems of modern day conflict (although it includes Gulf War 2, it does stop short of the recent US/UK involvement in Afghanistan).

For real intellectuals you may not find your own views particularly tested by this book, but it does have a few good pearls of wisdom such as "terror is the war of the weak; war is the terror of the strong" and will make a long train journey go exceptionally quickly.

Highly recommended.