From the Front: The Story of War Through Correspondents

This encyclopedia of wartime journalism is a sweeping visual history, pairing writings and photographs that showcase the author's considerable expertise with a sprinkling of contributions from various correspondents. Sweeney, a professor of journalism and author of Secrets of Victory, meticulously traces the evolution of wartime journalism from the days of soldiers-as-journalists, exploring topics such as the ""inflated news"" of the 19th century and propaganda camouflaged as news in the 20th century, military and government censorship and technological advances. Along the way, he offers interesting tidbits about the correspondents (e.g., Winston Churchill first gained public admiration as a correspondent during the Boer War) and fascinating glimpses into their struggles, hardships and dedication. Although this book is certain to gratify military and journalism historians, its appeal beyond these factions is limited: war is ugly and terrible, and Sweeney's treatment is painstaking honest. As sharp as the text is, however, it's the chilling photographs-the lifeless gazes of battlefield victims, the war-scourged landscapes-that really tell the story of combat. 174 photographs and maps.