Fighting Words: The War Correspondents of World War Two

Although Collier ( The Rainbow People ) treats only British and American journalists, the book is nonetheless an admirably complete survey of WW II war correspondents and their work. All of the stars are here: Ernie Pyle, Quentin Reynolds, Martha Gellhorn (for part of the war known as Mrs. Ernest Hemingway), and photographers Margaret Bourke-White and Robert Capa, as well as many lesser-knowns. Collier discusses the problems of censorship, often conducted by literal-minded, unbending military bureaucrats, and the difficulty of informing those at home about unpalatable truths. Burn-out, too, became an obstacle as the war continued and correspondents witnessed more than their share of misery and death. Photos not seen by PW. (Mar.)