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How to Avoid Being Killed in a War Zone: The Essential Survival Guide for Dangerous Places
Whether you're a war correspondent or an aid worker, a tourist worried about an increasingly hostile world or an armchair traveler concerned that your own backyard is fast becoming a war zone, How to Avoid Being Killed in a War Zone will help you survive some of the world's most volatile environments.
Well-traveled journalist Rosie Garthwaite offers practical advice drawn from her own personal experience and that of others, including many seasoned colleagues, who have worked in some of the world's most hostile regions. Topics covered include everything from avoiding land mines and hostage situations to amputating a limb and foraging for safe food. The book is a true survival manual (all medical advice has been vetted by doctors from Doctors Without Borders), but it is also a transporting read, filled with vicarious thrills and written with brio and humor by a woman who has seen it all. Perfect for those planning short trips or extended stays in dangerous destinations, or-much like the popular Worst-Case Scenario handbooks-for readers who simply prefer to be thoroughly prepared, wherever life may take them.
Rosie Garthwaite began her journalistic career as a freelance reporter in Basra, Iraq, just after graduating from college,and learned about survival in dangerous regions firsthand. She wrote this book to answer some of the questions her colleagues seemed to face daily in the field. Garthwaite works as a television journalist in the Middle East and is based in Doha, Qatar. This is her first book.
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Well-traveled journalist Rosie Garthwaite offers practical advice drawn from her own personal experience and that of others, including many seasoned colleagues, who have worked in some of the world's most hostile regions. Topics covered include everything from avoiding land mines and hostage situations to amputating a limb and foraging for safe food. The book is a true survival manual (all medical advice has been vetted by doctors from Doctors Without Borders), but it is also a transporting read, filled with vicarious thrills and written with brio and humor by a woman who has seen it all. Perfect for those planning short trips or extended stays in dangerous destinations, or-much like the popular Worst-Case Scenario handbooks-for readers who simply prefer to be thoroughly prepared, wherever life may take them.
Rosie Garthwaite began her journalistic career as a freelance reporter in Basra, Iraq, just after graduating from college,and learned about survival in dangerous regions firsthand. She wrote this book to answer some of the questions her colleagues seemed to face daily in the field. Garthwaite works as a television journalist in the Middle East and is based in Doha, Qatar. This is her first book.
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304 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2011
34 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Garthwaite
2 books3 followersRosie Garthwaite is a TV journalist who works in the Middle East. How to Avoid Being Killed in a Warzone: The Essential Survival Guide, published by Bloomsbury in May 2011, is her first book. She wrote the book to provide the information which friends and colleagues travelling to warzones and other extreme destinations were always asking her for. She began her journalistic career as a freelance reporter in Basra, Iraq when she had just left University, so she learned about survival through personal experience. She lives in Doha, Qatar.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 9, 2022
Spero che le indicazioni date da questo libro non mi serviranno mai, di certo non andro' in luoghi di guerra volontariamente, ma nella vita non si puo' mai sapere purtroppo...il problema sara' ricordare quello che ho letto visto che non sono piu' una ragazzina!
Molto interessante, sia per i consigli dati da questa coraggiosa reporter e da tutti quelli da lei interpellati, sia per le varie esperienze e testimonianze a supporto di cio' che scrive.
Molto interessante, sia per i consigli dati da questa coraggiosa reporter e da tutti quelli da lei interpellati, sia per le varie esperienze e testimonianze a supporto di cio' che scrive.
August 3, 2011
I don't know, if Rosie Garthwaite meant it that way, but some of her statements are so painstakingly bone dry, that they become hilarious reads.
I love that, because it reminds me of the sense of humor, I had as a senior firefighter sometimes, that alienates those who have not seen what I have seen. But with my colleagues/brothers at the hose, it was like a ping-pong match... Surprisingly we do recognize each other all over the world with that kind of humor... Also other Brothers in Arms... Not sure this makes any sense to whomever... But Rosie maybe?!
Don't get me wrong, this book can and will be very useful for many, and should be used with (GMV = gesundem Menschenverstand) common sense/horse-sense.
I will cherish this book for the rest of my life! Thank you!
I love that, because it reminds me of the sense of humor, I had as a senior firefighter sometimes, that alienates those who have not seen what I have seen. But with my colleagues/brothers at the hose, it was like a ping-pong match... Surprisingly we do recognize each other all over the world with that kind of humor... Also other Brothers in Arms... Not sure this makes any sense to whomever... But Rosie maybe?!
Don't get me wrong, this book can and will be very useful for many, and should be used with (GMV = gesundem Menschenverstand) common sense/horse-sense.
I will cherish this book for the rest of my life! Thank you!
December 22, 2019
Written by an Al Jazeera reporter with inputs and tidbits from other acclaimed journalists this book is a survival guide, with tips and tricks about keeping safe in crowds to coping with gunfire to surviving extreme conditions plus basic first aid, emergency medicine (delivering a baby, anyone?) and even surviving a kidnapping this book is all about common sense that at times may not be too common.
It’s a plain book that arms you with knowledge that may be critically important in scenarios of life and death.
Written with the unpredictable nature of an increasingly hostile world in mind it’s an interesting read.
I particularly liked reading about the experiences of various journalists in different war zones but found some shady tips as well - for blending in with the locals in Afghanistan-“get a grubby look going and don’t wash your hair” 🤨
and also more questionably “In extremis the best thing to do is pretend to be physically disabled or mentally disturbed. It probably won’t help much, but there are lots of mentally disturbed people in Afghanistan, so you can stand a chance of getting away with it. Because of the high instance of very close intermarriage, deaf and dumb people are quite frequent, and that’s an obvious option for the non-pashto speaker.”
How about also mentioning that the US bombings in Afghanistan may also have worked to increase the instances of mentally and physically impaired people there?
Overall this book is a decent read and highlights in simple language the tricks to being always prepared, as much as a human can be anyway.
It’s a plain book that arms you with knowledge that may be critically important in scenarios of life and death.
Written with the unpredictable nature of an increasingly hostile world in mind it’s an interesting read.
I particularly liked reading about the experiences of various journalists in different war zones but found some shady tips as well - for blending in with the locals in Afghanistan-“get a grubby look going and don’t wash your hair” 🤨
and also more questionably “In extremis the best thing to do is pretend to be physically disabled or mentally disturbed. It probably won’t help much, but there are lots of mentally disturbed people in Afghanistan, so you can stand a chance of getting away with it. Because of the high instance of very close intermarriage, deaf and dumb people are quite frequent, and that’s an obvious option for the non-pashto speaker.”
How about also mentioning that the US bombings in Afghanistan may also have worked to increase the instances of mentally and physically impaired people there?
Overall this book is a decent read and highlights in simple language the tricks to being always prepared, as much as a human can be anyway.
March 23, 2012
Angela thought this would be a handy resource for me and indeed it is. Journalist Rosie Garthwaite gives practical advice from her personal experience in this amazing survival guide that could apply to a lot of disaster situations. The survival tips also do a fascinating job of painting the picture of how people must live when war is a daily part of life. Very sad, very horrifying.
August 14, 2011
Informative, funny and a bit scary. A great read before hitting the road to anywhere. Garthwaite is a former Al-Jazzera reporter who has traversed through some of the more bullet-ridden, disease infested regions of the world and her insights are marvelous and cunning.
January 23, 2025
Most of us will never set foot in a war zone, but some of us may find ourselves mired in the middle of a dangerous trip or survival situation. That’s when this book comes in handy, which, according to the author, even the last few pages are left blank for tinder.
It encompasses all the know-how you may or may not have heard. For me, I learned how to make an arm sling. As for tourniquets, alas, I was never prepared for the urgent need of having to stop blood flow, much less to amputate someone. Should fate dictate that I am casted in a life-or-death situation, I hope this book would be at my beck and call.
The sisters of Fates tend to put travelers in not-so-dire miseries, laced with preventable food poisoning and dangerous neighbourhoods. Her wartime advice, such as keeping your emergency contact regularly posted and watching out for stalkers serve as a timely reminder that, unless you were to adjust your travel budget, you would always want to err on the side of caution.
An incomplete list of items she mentioned, some of which had never occurred to me:
Door wedges
Decoy wallets
Treats to win people’s hearts
Local costume and plastic bags to fit in
Latex gloves as temporary wound dressing if need be
Contraceptives for those of us who can’t resist it to stamp out the change of having extramarital children
I like how the last part of the book was dedicated to finding relief from trauma, yours and your loved ones’, who would have been equally astounded in any case. What she listed was solid advice: resume your old lifestyle, listen to their experience and openly speak about yours. Honestly though, no advice could have framed it better than this following piece. ‘[T]o anyone thinking of doing something similar, as some test of their manhood, I would say don’t – it’s not worth it. Whatever you are chasing is not worth it.’
It encompasses all the know-how you may or may not have heard. For me, I learned how to make an arm sling. As for tourniquets, alas, I was never prepared for the urgent need of having to stop blood flow, much less to amputate someone. Should fate dictate that I am casted in a life-or-death situation, I hope this book would be at my beck and call.
The sisters of Fates tend to put travelers in not-so-dire miseries, laced with preventable food poisoning and dangerous neighbourhoods. Her wartime advice, such as keeping your emergency contact regularly posted and watching out for stalkers serve as a timely reminder that, unless you were to adjust your travel budget, you would always want to err on the side of caution.
An incomplete list of items she mentioned, some of which had never occurred to me:
Door wedges
Decoy wallets
Treats to win people’s hearts
Local costume and plastic bags to fit in
Latex gloves as temporary wound dressing if need be
Contraceptives for those of us who can’t resist it to stamp out the change of having extramarital children
I like how the last part of the book was dedicated to finding relief from trauma, yours and your loved ones’, who would have been equally astounded in any case. What she listed was solid advice: resume your old lifestyle, listen to their experience and openly speak about yours. Honestly though, no advice could have framed it better than this following piece. ‘[T]o anyone thinking of doing something similar, as some test of their manhood, I would say don’t – it’s not worth it. Whatever you are chasing is not worth it.’
January 30, 2021
I'm not quite the intended audience for this book- I had hoped it would be more philosophical takeaways after traumatic events, but lot of the book's tips are common sense about how to travel to the more dangerous parts of the world. Still, there are unique accounts throughout this book of people who have actually lived through some crazy crap.
July 5, 2021
Conceived to be a handbook to be ready for emergencies or to prepare a trip in a dodgy location. Some parts should be taught at school (e.g., CPR) but top-notch chapters come from personal experiences in warzones
January 31, 2021
A must read for journalists who will labor covering war efforts abroad.
Mildly interesting for the average reader.
Mildly interesting for the average reader.
December 31, 2015
How to Avoid being Killed in a War Zone is a non fiction novel written by well-travelled journalist Rosie Garthwaite. I believe that Rosie Garthwaite’s first novel is packed with life saving advice for everyone, even if you aren’t in a war zone this is still very entertaining and interesting to read. Furthermore, Rosie Garthwaite is successfully able to display what it is like to live and operate in a war zone and as the author of The Junior Officers, Patrick Hennessey says, “Read this book. Keep it in your backpack - it could save your life.” This novel features several main ideas such as preparations, getting around a dangerous place, resources in a war zone, minimizing potential threats, staying mentally fit, surviving extremes and emergency procedures. This non fiction novel has a very informal tone. There is a lot of listing and illustrations to go with the text to elaborate instructions or an other aspect of the book. This book is set in current times. It isn’t a history book of how to survive in an ancient war zone, its about surviving in a current war zone. Even though most of these stories and tips are based on the middle east, they can also be used in other parts of the world. Overall, Rosie Garthwaite’s first novel is packed with life saving advice for everyone, even if you aren’t in a war zone this is still very entertaining and interesting to read. This novel is definitely worth your time if your planning on going anywhere dangerous or if you want to be informed on the subject.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2012
This is a how-to book for journalists and anyone else heading into a war zone. How to prepare before you get there, how to run your team, how to cope with guns, riots, and weather, how to spot a fake checkpoint, how to survive if you’re stranded in a jungle or desert; also, how to realize that it’s time to go home and how to deal with the mental repercussions of the job.
The author draws on her own experience of years of reporting from the Middle East, her training as a former British Army officer, and interviews with many experienced correspondents. The stories they tell of things that went well, or went very badly, are fascinating.
The third audience for the book, besides those going to war zones and those interested in behind-the-scenes anecdotes, is people interested in preparedness. The chapters on first aid and emergency medicine and on how to survive if stranded in the woods or during extreme weather are fairly comprehensive.
The author draws on her own experience of years of reporting from the Middle East, her training as a former British Army officer, and interviews with many experienced correspondents. The stories they tell of things that went well, or went very badly, are fascinating.
The third audience for the book, besides those going to war zones and those interested in behind-the-scenes anecdotes, is people interested in preparedness. The chapters on first aid and emergency medicine and on how to survive if stranded in the woods or during extreme weather are fairly comprehensive.
March 9, 2012
Entertaining look at sudden dispatches to unknown places where stepping on a land mine is easier than locating a tampon. Not necessarily something I'd read if I was, in fact, being sent to one of these far-flung locations—as other reviewers have mentioned a lot of the tips are fairly common sense, but needless to say I still learned something (can keep a spurting wound closed now if need be). I definitely enjoyed some of the true life stories from veteran journalists that were scattered sporadically throughout the book and felt like giving each of their books a separate read would be interesting.
July 29, 2011
I didn't find this book necessarily useful, the tips and advice were fairly common sense and there was nothing really new compared to other survival/travel books...but...the true accounts captivated me. Hearing the stories of the "people behind the stories" and reading about life in a war zone while trying to maintain some neutrality was a refreshing change. I think the author had great material to work with and maybe if she diverted away from making this a survival book it would have been gold!
August 3, 2011
Interesting and potentially very useful if you like to travel to dicey places. I was a journalist for many years, though thankfully I never covered any wars - there was that time when I was trapped in a no mans land between a bunch of armed Stalinists and another bunch of armed right wingers in Lisbon during the revolution, but nothing came of it - but from my friends who have covered wars I've heard enough stories to get the impression that this book is on the money about a lot of subjects. It is also an entertaining read.
October 24, 2013
A dense little book, this one is. Ms Garthwaite tells us hot to survive in an hostile enviroment, surrounded by hostile people, with next to nothing... well... stuff. We learn how to hunt or gather food, how to build a shelter, how to provide basic medical care, how to excercise and stay fit even when we're chained to the floor by our kidnappers.
It is a little odd to read about all of this iìon my Kindle, while commuting to work or sweating out the last cooking on th eelliptical machine, in a very western gym. Still, it's avery interesting and smart book
It is a little odd to read about all of this iìon my Kindle, while commuting to work or sweating out the last cooking on th eelliptical machine, in a very western gym. Still, it's avery interesting and smart book
January 6, 2013
The guide book for people who want to work in dangerous places. Rosie Garthwaite draws on her military and journalistic experience to provide a solid, common sense set of guidelines. While the subject matter is broad, there are a number of tips I've heard about from former foreign correspondents that are glossed over here, but it's a good introduction for those who might be travelling to a conflict zone, and an entertaining read for the rest of us.
August 26, 2016
I very much enjoyed the content of this book, and the author's dry witty way of giving advice. There was a lot of very useful information in the book, and I would definitely read through the book again before heading into a war or disaster zone. Though advice can't save you from the unpredictable nature of what happens in those regions, this book feels like it would give you a strong advantage.
June 27, 2011
I am sure nobody is surprised that I read this. What was surprising/mildly sad for me was how little of this was new information. It would make a good first-time manual for conflict zone workers and a good gift for your loved one dispatching to do aid and development work in X country.
April 12, 2015
Unsurprisingly this comes in handy while in a war zone as it contains a good deal of information and reminders of first aid principles when you can't expect an ambulance come fetch you or someone with you. Also contains a lot of common sense which, in some chapters, contributes to a lengthy read.
August 26, 2016
I have to admit that one of my guilty pleasures is in reading survival guides. This one is written by a journalist about her times and lessons learnt, in war zones.
It makes for an interesting read and gives you some insight into the difficulties, dangers and problems that are encountered.
It makes for an interesting read and gives you some insight into the difficulties, dangers and problems that are encountered.
August 24, 2011
Although it has some useful safety tips. In general the book is a disappointment as I thought it would reflect the author experience as a field reporter
February 3, 2013
I thought this book would be more of an account of the author's experiences in war zones. It's not. It is literally a survival guide. What to do if. Complimented by reinforcing real life accounts.
July 15, 2013
Interesting read, would be good required reading for anyone travelling overseas.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews