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Bullets and Bylines: From the Frontlines of Kabul, Delhi, Damascus and Beyond
‘Shyam Bhatia’s compelling and courageous reports hold a mirror to conflict in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. Running risks to tell the stories of those who endure warfare, he reflects that the price journalists pay is always danger’ — Trevor Fishlock, writer and former foreign correspondent for The Telegraph and The Times , London
Bullets and From the Frontlines of Kabul, Delhi, Damascus and Beyond is a gripping and fascinating memoir by Shyam Bhatia, celebrated journalist and former foreign correspondent for The Observer . The book presents an unflinching and incisive description of pivotal events in the Middle East and India that continue to shape our world today. It reflects on the nature of war-zone journalism, in particular the idea that sometimes, success or failure as a journalist hangs on help coming from some entirely unexpected places.
Very few people have seen and survived the situations that Shyam Bhatia describes in this memoir, and perhaps even fewer have the modest and accessible style that he employs here to involve and engage the reader. While Bhatia does not turn away from describing the full horrors of war — for example, his narrow escape from execution on a bus trip in Afghanistan and discovery of bodies following a mass murder in India — his tale is also peppered with examples of the sheer humanity of some almost super-human political figures, such as his time spent babysitting the infant daughter of Yasser Arafat and his life-long friendship with Benazir Bhutto, which began over a cup of coffee in Oxford.
Bullets and From the Frontlines of Kabul, Delhi, Damascus and Beyond is a wonderfully readable but nonetheless revealing description of key political events over the past forty or so years. It is bound to appeal to lovers of politics and history alike, and for fans of top-quality political journalism.
Shyam Bhatia grew up in New Delhi and was educated at Oxford. He trained as a journalist on The Western Mail and went on to cover affairs in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent for many major publications, in particular The Observer , for which he was both Middle East correspondent and Diplomatic Editor. He has written several books on the Middle East, India and Pakistan, including a biography of his friend, the late Benazir Bhutto.
Bullets and From the Frontlines of Kabul, Delhi, Damascus and Beyond is a gripping and fascinating memoir by Shyam Bhatia, celebrated journalist and former foreign correspondent for The Observer . The book presents an unflinching and incisive description of pivotal events in the Middle East and India that continue to shape our world today. It reflects on the nature of war-zone journalism, in particular the idea that sometimes, success or failure as a journalist hangs on help coming from some entirely unexpected places.
Very few people have seen and survived the situations that Shyam Bhatia describes in this memoir, and perhaps even fewer have the modest and accessible style that he employs here to involve and engage the reader. While Bhatia does not turn away from describing the full horrors of war — for example, his narrow escape from execution on a bus trip in Afghanistan and discovery of bodies following a mass murder in India — his tale is also peppered with examples of the sheer humanity of some almost super-human political figures, such as his time spent babysitting the infant daughter of Yasser Arafat and his life-long friendship with Benazir Bhutto, which began over a cup of coffee in Oxford.
Bullets and From the Frontlines of Kabul, Delhi, Damascus and Beyond is a wonderfully readable but nonetheless revealing description of key political events over the past forty or so years. It is bound to appeal to lovers of politics and history alike, and for fans of top-quality political journalism.
Shyam Bhatia grew up in New Delhi and was educated at Oxford. He trained as a journalist on The Western Mail and went on to cover affairs in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent for many major publications, in particular The Observer , for which he was both Middle East correspondent and Diplomatic Editor. He has written several books on the Middle East, India and Pakistan, including a biography of his friend, the late Benazir Bhutto.
280 pages, ebook
Published January 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 8, 2021
This was the first time I was reading a book which has war -zone journalism . Book has 15 engrossing chapters and each chapter is between 10 to 20 pages . Book keeps the readers interest .
I liked the racy style of Author Shyam Bhatia , who grew up in Delhi and was educated at Oxford .
The chapter I liked most was : Chapter 3 : 149 Turbans on India
I liked Chapter 9 : The Power of Honey , which tells about his friendship with Yasser Arafat , the long serving head of Palestine Liberation Organisation ( PLO ) .
Chapter 10 : ‘ Pinkie ‘ : Benazir Bhutto was indeed interesting .
I must give credit to the excellent memory of Shyam Bhatia . He remembers so many names and so many events .
He had real close encounters .
Best Wishes ,
Rajiv Bakshi
Author
Journey from Guwahati to Machhiwara
I liked the racy style of Author Shyam Bhatia , who grew up in Delhi and was educated at Oxford .
The chapter I liked most was : Chapter 3 : 149 Turbans on India
I liked Chapter 9 : The Power of Honey , which tells about his friendship with Yasser Arafat , the long serving head of Palestine Liberation Organisation ( PLO ) .
Chapter 10 : ‘ Pinkie ‘ : Benazir Bhutto was indeed interesting .
I must give credit to the excellent memory of Shyam Bhatia . He remembers so many names and so many events .
He had real close encounters .
Best Wishes ,
Rajiv Bakshi
Author
Journey from Guwahati to Machhiwara
February 4, 2020
Book 3 - with new year resolution to learn more about middle eastern politics especially through eyes of journalist , Shyam Bhatia’s bullets and bylines seems to be a perfect choice. A collection of 14 first hand narratives of Middle East experiences of authors with each not spanning over 30 odd pages are brief and succinct. Since these are short accounts of what happened , they can actually incite interest in one or other areas like Iranian revolution or Benazir’s rise and fall in Pakistan(with her also fell Pakistan’s hope of moderate politics). One should read this book if someone needs a brief but interesting account of major historical points over 30 years of Middle East between 1960s-1990s.
February 21, 2019
Fascinating, terrifying and larger than life tales of a correspondent. The opening chapter of a bus ride in Afghanistan is particularly gripping.
June 29, 2019
Easy read into the lives, challenges & professionalism of Foreign War Correspondents. Gives more than a glimpse! Worth ur time
January 3, 2020
Very well written and consists of balanced opinion about militancy in middle East countries and it's relation with secret service. It is basically Mr Bhatia's personal account of events.
June 29, 2022
Very good
Enjoyed the different articles from the different events and told very well by a true professional journalist. Very thought provoking
Enjoyed the different articles from the different events and told very well by a true professional journalist. Very thought provoking
May 14, 2016
Amazing stories of courage
Shyam Bhatias courage in the face of terrifying adversities made
Fascinating reading. His racy style of writing made the reader feel part his stories. A must read for all those interested in today's contemporary world.
Shyam Bhatias courage in the face of terrifying adversities made
Fascinating reading. His racy style of writing made the reader feel part his stories. A must read for all those interested in today's contemporary world.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews