Wartime journalism
Ernie Pyle, Here is Your War (1943) There was no greater American World War II correspondent than Ernie Pyle. His syndicated column brought the war home to Americans and his ability to integrate in real, normal American soldiers made people feel like their own sons were being cared for—people would send him letters, asking him to look someone up for them. He did it all courageously and honestly. This is one of the books that came out of his wartime writing, all about the conflict in North Africa.
James Tobin, Ernie Pyle’s War: America’s Eyewitness to World War II Ernie Pyle is not nearly appreciated enough in America today. His ability to be the reassuring voice for almost all of America during the war was a result of his skill as a writer and the depth of understanding he had of life. Tobin’s book is a good account of Pyle’s life, not an easy one, what he meant to Americans during the war, and what the war took out of him.
Martha Gellhorn, The Face of War Hemingway fans know Gellhorn as one of Hemingway’s wives, but she was and is a respected war correspondent in her own right. That’s arguably one reason she and Hemingway didn’t work out. This book shows you why she’s so revered and offers some insights into the Spanish Civil War, a conflict that deserves more attention.
A.J. Liebling, World War II Writings (Library of America) You may not think of New Yorker contributors as being war writing types, but you’d be wrong. Library of America put together this collection of Liebling’s wartime writings, considered by many to be some of the best the country has to offer.
Sebastian Junger, War Most of this list is from the mid-twentieth century, but arguably the best journalist for the Global War on Terror (GWOT) is Junger. He’s also the man behind the film about American soldiers in Afghanistan, Restrepo. You should also check out his documentary The Last Patrol, about GWOT veterans coping with their experiences, through making a very long hike. (You may know Junger as the author of The Perfect Storm.)
Yes, these are all Americans! Who is your favorite war correspondent from somewhere else?
Compiled by Elizabeth Stice
