Close-up on War |
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THE STORY OF PIONEERING PHOTOJOURNALIST
CATHERINE LEROY IN VIETNAM
CATHERINE LEROY IN VIETNAM
"Smooth, engaging writing nimbly...putting readers directly in the action beside Leroy."
"Farrell blends Leroy’s experiences and achievements in Vietnam with historic details, information on combat action and shifting attitudes toward this war, and fascinating insights into the world of freelance news photography.
Quotes, letters, and photos by Leroy appear in each short chapter, bringing her feisty personality to life as well as describing the troubles she faced as one of the only women photojournalists working at that time. Smooth, engaging writing nimbly avoids the doldrums of stats-saturated reportage, taking a human-interest approach to the war and putting readers directly in the action beside Leroy.
Later chapters, an epilogue, and an author’s note discuss the photographer's life and career after the Vietnam War and her general obscurity today as a result of her gender.
Source notes, image credits, and a bibliography speak to Farrell’s diligent research into this inspiring but under-recognized woman’s life.
Quotes, letters, and photos by Leroy appear in each short chapter, bringing her feisty personality to life as well as describing the troubles she faced as one of the only women photojournalists working at that time. Smooth, engaging writing nimbly avoids the doldrums of stats-saturated reportage, taking a human-interest approach to the war and putting readers directly in the action beside Leroy.
Later chapters, an epilogue, and an author’s note discuss the photographer's life and career after the Vietnam War and her general obscurity today as a result of her gender.
Source notes, image credits, and a bibliography speak to Farrell’s diligent research into this inspiring but under-recognized woman’s life.
"Farrell also gives a compelling history of Vietnam and the events that led to the conflict. Life in Vietnam during the war is told in vivid detail, as is the hardship endured by soldiers and peasants."
"Farrell also gives a compelling history of Vietnam and the events that led to the conflict. Life in Vietnam during the war is told in vivid detail, as is the hardship endured by soldiers and peasants."
"... Farrell begins each chapter with portions of Leroy’s letters to her mother. These small peeks into her life are often in stark contrast with her deadly profession; she asks her mother to send clothes, money, and tampons. While telling Leroy’s story, Farrell also gives a compelling history into Vietnam and the events that led to the conflict. Life in Vietnam during the war is told in vivid detail, as is the hardship endured by soldiers and peasants. The book concludes with an examination of 1960s cameras, a glossary, timeline, notes, and bibliography. This is really three books in one—it tells of the work of Leroy, describes the daily workings of war correspondents of that era, and gives a glimpse into life during the Vietnam War—excelling at each. VERDICT History buffs looking for a personal account of the war will enjoy this book."
"... well-contextualized, quick-moving biography...offering an intimate glimpse of the photographer’s personal observations and needs amid discussions of the war and of Leroy’s actions in Vietnam, which include proving herself again and again to male colleagues and the U.S. military, and risking injury while documenting air strikes."
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PODCAST
The Unconventional Soldier Podcast co-hosted by Colin Ferguson, a former soldier who served 22 years in the British Army. Available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube or listen on Spotify.
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"Letting the guest tell the story.” A military podcast by former soldiers from the British Army’s long-range Surveillance and Reconnaissance Patrols unit. Our first series covers the inception of the unit with its founder Major General Anthony Stone CB, the selection of the soldiers, the unique "stay behind” role during the Cold War, the multiple operational tours they deployed on over the last 40 years finishing on an interview with the current serving officer commanding the unit. In subsequent series we have set ourselves a wider remit and cover first-hand accounts of past conflicts from World War 2 to the War on Terror and everything in between . |