Fighting for the news : the adventures of the First World War correspondents from Bonaparte to the Boers

It is now two centuries since a newspaper conceived the idea of sending a reporter overseas to observe, gather information and write about war. With no experience to draw upon, both newspaper and correspondent gradually worked out a procedure that has evolved into today s incredibly sophisticated and unrecognizable form. The first special correspondent employed by a newspaper to gather information about a current war was Henry Crabb Robinson. In 1807, the proprietor of The Times, John Walter II, sent this thirty-two-year-old lawyer to act as their man in Germany, ostensibly to follow and report the movements of Napoleon s Grande Armee. He was almost arrested, escaping from the Continent in disguise, the first of the many exploits and adventures of this bold group of individuals undertook to bring news from the seat of war. This included William Russell in the Crimean War, whose reports helped bring down the Government, and perhaps the most famous correspondent of all, Winston Churchill, who reported on conflicts in Cuba, the Indian frontier, Sudan and the Boer War."

The incredible true stories of the first reporters from the battlefield—from Europe's Napoleonic era to the Boer Wars of South Africa. Over two centuries ago, newspapers first considered sending a reporter overseas to observe, gather information, and write about war. With no experience to draw upon, both newspapers and correspondents gradually worked out a procedure that has evolved into today's incredibly sophisticated systems of reportage. Here are the gripping accounts of those groundbreaking adventurers who sought out the danger of battle in pursuit of a story. Included within are the exploits of such journalistic luminaries as the first real war correspondent, Henry Crabb Robinson, who was sent by The Times of London to act as their 'man in Germany', ostensibly to follow and report the movements of Napoleon's Grande Armée; William Howard Russell in the Crimean War, whose reports helped change the British government's treatment of their soldiers; and perhaps the most famous correspondent of all, a young Winston Churchill who reported on conflicts in Cuba, the Indian frontier, Sudan, and the Boer War. For any fan of history, journalism, or true-life adventures, Fighting for the News is all you need to get the full story.

The incredible true stories of the first reporters from the battlefield-from Europe's Napoleonic era to the Boer Wars of South Africa. Over two centuries ago, newspapers first considered sending a reporter overseas to observe, gather information, and write about war. With no experience to draw upon, both newspapers and correspondents gradually worked out a procedure that has evolved into today's incredibly sophisticated systems of reportage. Here are the gripping accounts of those groundbreaking adventurers who sought out the danger of battle in pursuit of a story. Included within are the exploits of such journalistic luminaries as the first real war correspondent, Henry Crabb Robinson, who was sent by The Times of London to act as their 'man in Germany', ostensibly to follow and report the movements of Napoleon's Grande Armee; William Howard Russell in the Crimean War, whose reports helped change the British government's treatment of their soldiers; and perhaps the most famous correspondent of all, a young Winston Churchill who reported on conflicts in Cuba, the Indian frontier, Sudan, and the Boer War. For any fan of history, journalism, or true-life adventures, Fighting for the News is all you need to get the full story About the Author: Brian Best has an honours degree in South African History and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He was the founder of the Victoria Cross Society 2002 and edits its Journal. He also lectures about the Victoria Cross and war art. He is married and lives in Rutland. HISTORY / Military / General First book to investigate the war correspondents from the very start of war reporting.