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“A riveting memoir of years of living dangerously.”—Kirkus Reviews
For the countless readers who have admired Philip Caputo’s classic memoir of Vietnam, A Rumor of War, here is his powerful recounting of his life and adventures, updated with a foreword that assesses the state of the world and the journalist’s art.
As a journalist, Caputo has covered many of the world’s troubles, and in Means of Escape, he tells the reader in moving and clear-eyed prose how he made himself into a writer, traveler, and observer with the nerve to put himself at the center of the world’s conflicts. As a young reporter he investigated the Mafia in Chicago, earning acclaim as well as threats against his safety. Later, he rode camels through the desert and enjoyed Bedouin hospitality, was kidnapped and held captive by Islamic extremists, and was targeted and hit by sniper fire in Beirut, with memories of Vietnam never far from the surface. And after it all, he went into Afghanistan. Caputo’s goal has always been to bear witness to the crimes, ambitions, fears, ferocities, and hopes of humanity. With Means of Escape, he has done so.
1 Escape Velocity 1
2 City Room 34
3 The Desert 70
4 The City 111
5 First Casualties 167
6 The Old Country 213
7 Bye-Bye, Everybody 233
8 States of Extremes 276
9 The Great Game 320
Anonymous
Posted August 15, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This is the 3rd Phil Caputo book I've read. The 1st one of his I read was a fictional account of a war correspondent ("DelCorso's Gallery"). Reading it, I thought, "There's no way this could've been either made up or converted from interviews of actual war correspondents." An internet search enlightened me to Caputo's career as a war correspondent and to this book.
As for the story, it's riveting! He saw almost more danger and action as a reporter in combat than he did as a Marine infantry officer in combat. Definitely a great read for the action-oriented reader. He also imparts some interesting details about the politics of each conflict he's covered that could be very beneficial to those doing research on them.
As for the writing, Caputo's cynical wit cracks me up. Not only that but he winds his stories almost around one another and reflects on others in the midst of each to where the reader almost feels like Caputo's sitting there telling you his stories in person.
Bottom line; this book is a great read and I'd highly recommend it.
Anonymous
Posted December 18, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
“A riveting memoir of years of living dangerously.”—Kirkus Reviews
For the countless readers who have admired Philip Caputo’s classic memoir of Vietnam, A Rumor of War, here is his powerful recounting of his life and adventures, updated with a foreword that assesses the state of the world and the journalist’s art.
As a journalist, Caputo has covered many of the world’s troubles, and in Means of Escape, he tells the reader in moving and ...