Close Up On War
Available noW! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ sTARRED rEVIEWS
MEET PIONEERING PHOTOJOURNALIST: CATHERINE LEROY
In the mid-1960s, woman had it tough succeeding in "men's jobs," but no workplace was more toxic than the battlefields of Vietnam. Only one woman dared join the ranks of photojournalists covering the war 1966-1969, the bloodiest years of the conflict.
French-born Catherine Leroy flew to Vietnam on a one-way ticket to launch her career. She was 21 years old and had no formal photographic training.
Bold, determined, and cool under fire, Catherine slogged with marines through the jungle and crawled through rice paddies. She gravitated toward the thickest battles and was the only civilian photojournalist to parachute into combat with American soldiers.
Catherine saw more combat in Vietnam than any news photographer of any gender. Told she didn't belong in a "man's world," she soon became a serious competitor to her male colleagues. They spread insulting rumors about her character and collaborated with military officers to revoke her press credentials. Catherine fought back, regaining the right to do her job.
Even after being captured by the North Vietnamese, and later wounded by a mortar shell at Khe Sanh, Catherine did not quit. Her raw pictures showed the brotherhood and compassion of soldiers, the anguish of civilians, and the humanity of the enemy. Published in America’s leading newspapers and magazines, Catherine’s images forced Americans to confront the human cost of war.
Her first year's work in Vietnam won three of America’s top photojournalism awards, and later she became the first women honored with the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal.
Based on personal letters Catherine wrote her parents from Vietnam, and including her most powerful photos, this biography is a gripping look at the Vietnam War through the eyes of an extraordinary woman whose legacy of compassion endures today.
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I'm a former TV journalist now writing books for young people. I tell the stories of little-known women whose strength and courage helped shape our history. My work aims to shine a light in shadowy forgotten corners and empower us all to use our voices constructively for what we believe.
My books earned starred reviews and are named on lists for the Notable Social Studies Books for Young People, Bank Street College Best Children's Books, NY Public Library Best Books for Teens and the Amelia Bloomer Project. Awards include the SPUR Award for Best Juvenile Fiction and a nomination for the Washington State Book Award.
Each of my books started with a discovery, an unexpected find of a historical person or people I think everyone should know about. My newest book, Close-Up On War is no exception.
I'm a former TV journalist now writing books for young people. I tell the stories of little-known women whose strength and courage helped shape our history. My work aims to shine a light in shadowy forgotten corners and empower us all to use our voices constructively for what we believe.
My books earned starred reviews and are named on lists for the Notable Social Studies Books for Young People, Bank Street College Best Children's Books, NY Public Library Best Books for Teens and the Amelia Bloomer Project. Awards include the SPUR Award for Best Juvenile Fiction and a nomination for the Washington State Book Award.
Each of my books started with a discovery, an unexpected find of a historical person or people I think everyone should know about. My newest book, Close-Up On War is no exception.
WORKSHOPS
I offer workshops featuring the incredible women I've written about and what I've learned from them. Please reach out if you are interested in hosting me for a workshop, presentation, book group, or customized session. Ask about my Book Sales in Lieu of Speaker fees option.
If your book group is reading one of my books, do get in touch! If my schedule allows, I meet with book groups via Zoom or Skype with the minimum purchase of 8 copies from Bookshop.org or your local independent bookstore.
If your book group is reading one of my books, do get in touch! If my schedule allows, I meet with book groups via Zoom or Skype with the minimum purchase of 8 copies from Bookshop.org or your local independent bookstore.