In this book, NBC foreign correspondent Martin Fletcher talks about his career in journalism, which lead to covering a number of horrific events from suicide bombers in Israel to genocide in Rwanda. Along the way, he also stops to discuss journalistic ethics (is it worse to film a dying person so that their final moments aren't peaceful or to not film them so that the world remains oblivious to suffering and does nothing to stop it?), his own family's history as Holocaust survivors -- and victims -- and the role this plays in his views toward the 'good guys' and 'bad guys' in each conflict he records, and the ways his field and he personally sometimes failed (like unwittingly amplifying the effects of colonialism in Somalia).

Although a little bit dated at times (e.g., a reference to Bin Laden still alive and in hiding), this book is interesting and thought-provoking. It is not for the faint of heart as Fletcher describes in some detail violent deaths that he witnessed, or reports on the experiences of those who narrowly survived horrific acts of violence. This isn't exactly a history book, although Fletcher usually provides the most relevant information; however, some readers may want to brush on their modern events knowledge before or after reading this. ( )