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Hack in a Flak Jacket
A startlingly honest account of experiencing war and terrorism from the frontline by Peter Stefanovic, one of Australia's leading journalists and foreign correspondents.
'Flak jackets are dreadful things. Sure, they have a purpose, and if one ever stopped a bullet or piece of shrapnel from spearing into my vital organs, I would kiss it, hang it up, and frame it. But that hasn't happened, yet.'
For almost ten years Peter Stefanovic was Channel Nine's foreign correspondent in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. During that time he witnessed more than his fair share of death and destruction, and carried the burden of those images - all while putting his own personal safety very much in the firing line.
From flak jackets to tuxedos. From celebrity funerals, to war zones and natural disasters. This is a thrilling account of a life lived on camera, delivering the news wherever it happens, whatever the risk.
'Flak jackets are dreadful things. Sure, they have a purpose, and if one ever stopped a bullet or piece of shrapnel from spearing into my vital organs, I would kiss it, hang it up, and frame it. But that hasn't happened, yet.'
For almost ten years Peter Stefanovic was Channel Nine's foreign correspondent in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. During that time he witnessed more than his fair share of death and destruction, and carried the burden of those images - all while putting his own personal safety very much in the firing line.
From flak jackets to tuxedos. From celebrity funerals, to war zones and natural disasters. This is a thrilling account of a life lived on camera, delivering the news wherever it happens, whatever the risk.
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 9, 2016
7 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Peter Stefanovic
6 books3 followersPeter Stefanovic was the Europe, Africa, and Middle East correspondent for the Nine Network. He reported from the scene of major news events around the world for NINE NEWS, the TODAY SHOW, and A CURRENT AFFAIR.
In 2014 Peter Stefanovic was nominated for a Walkley Award for his coverage of the war in Gaza. He is currently the co-host of WEEKEND TODAY.
In 2014 Peter Stefanovic was nominated for a Walkley Award for his coverage of the war in Gaza. He is currently the co-host of WEEKEND TODAY.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 5, 2016
Many of us (Australians especially) would be aware of who Peter Stefanovic is – the face in front of the camera in the middle of war zones in Gaza, Cairo and all across Europe and the Middle East; at tragedies like the earthquakes of Nepal and Haiti - now perhaps if you watch the Weekend Today Show you’ll see him hosting the program alongside others.
Peter was Channel Nine’s foreign correspondent for almost ten years, during which time he saw shocking tragedies which affected thousands and put his own life at risk on many occasions. With his cameraman and friend, James Gillings by his side the majority of the time, they experienced more than most and often wondered if they’d get out alive. But the flak jacket was the one constant when in those troubling zones. Heavy and cumbersome, they often made escape a slow and stumbling event, but the flak jacket had a purpose and that was to keep the wearer safe.
Peter’s own words about himself “I’m just a hack in a flak jacket!”
Honest and sometimes humerous, though never disrespectful and mostly directed toward himself, Hack in a Flak Jacket is a moving account of life on the frontline in the midst of war and terrorism; of sporting events and royal weddings; of disaster and hope; of despair and adrenalin rushes. There is much covered in this excellent memoir by Aussie author Peter Stefanovic and he says at the end “there are more stories to tell”. I’m looking forward to that. But if I was his mother I would have been terrified to know what he was doing behind the scenes! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette Australia for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
Peter was Channel Nine’s foreign correspondent for almost ten years, during which time he saw shocking tragedies which affected thousands and put his own life at risk on many occasions. With his cameraman and friend, James Gillings by his side the majority of the time, they experienced more than most and often wondered if they’d get out alive. But the flak jacket was the one constant when in those troubling zones. Heavy and cumbersome, they often made escape a slow and stumbling event, but the flak jacket had a purpose and that was to keep the wearer safe.
Peter’s own words about himself “I’m just a hack in a flak jacket!”
Honest and sometimes humerous, though never disrespectful and mostly directed toward himself, Hack in a Flak Jacket is a moving account of life on the frontline in the midst of war and terrorism; of sporting events and royal weddings; of disaster and hope; of despair and adrenalin rushes. There is much covered in this excellent memoir by Aussie author Peter Stefanovic and he says at the end “there are more stories to tell”. I’m looking forward to that. But if I was his mother I would have been terrified to know what he was doing behind the scenes! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette Australia for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
March 5, 2017
What a great read! Takes Peter out of the shadows of his brother Karl. He has covered a lot of stories in a climate of hostile environments and still managed to provide an in depth recall of those places. Not only did you feel for Peter and his team's safety but the compassion he felt throughout his time as a foreign correspondent. Peter covered a lot in what will be a short period in his life. Nice to know he's back home safely.
September 23, 2017
A journalist perspective on the war in Afghanistan. Peter is easy to read and provides a great perspective on his journalism career. A view of world conflict is the primary theme of this book and it entails the reader to provide empathy for those in a war zone and go to drastic measures to escape violent terrain. It is a read for any upcoming journalist or military persons and how to assist with a war that has destroyed many lives and continues to inflict trauma. It is a book that encapsulates the true moral meaning of war.
May 18, 2017
Disappointed with this one. Sure it covered his time as a war journalist but a little more personal insight would have been nice. As much as I like this guy on tv I also found for a journalist it wasn't that well written. Currently reading Ray Martin autobiography which is terrific in comparison.
October 30, 2018
Exceptional
December 25, 2019
It was an interesting read about his time spent in war torn countries and how close he came to danger.
March 8, 2020
An interesting perspective on some recent world events from a reporter on the ground.
July 28, 2022
7.4/10
December 27, 2016
I brought this book to celebrate #NationalBookShopDay. It had just come out a few days earlier and I was eager to get my hands on it. I have been waiting for this book since I knew it was coming out months ago and now I have finally read it and I have to say, I loved it. This book is nothing like I thought it would be like. It was more. I didn’t know what to except from this book, all I knew was the guy I have been watching for years on my television who has travelled the world, has written a book about his time as a report and I wanted to know more.
This book is about more than the author who wrote the book, it is about history and humanity. A lot happens in this book, and I mean a lot. From Michael Jacksons death, to Obama becoming president and the horrible terrorist attacks that happened in France and war in the Middle East. There is a lot that happens and a lot more that I wanted from this book.
Stefanovic is a great writer I will tell you that myself. He knows how to write, he knows how to tell a story and he my gosh he has gone through a lot. There are only two things I want to comment on about this book. One, it should have been written in chronological order. The events that take place in this book happen all over the place. The second part of the book when it moves away from the Middle East, is all in order, but when your reading the first half of the book, the Middle East and Russia and everything that happens is all out of order, and if you are anything like me and try to keep up with the news but are confused by it, this book doesn’t help at all. I think Stefanovic wanted to write a lot and tell the reader a lot and it has been done, it just hasn’t been done so it is easy for the reader to read and understand.
And two, I wanted more about Stefanovic’s life. He talks about how he feels and what he went through, but there isn’t a lot about him in the book at all, most of the time you are reading captured images from his own eyes and his cameraman’s from events all over the world. If more of his opinions, life experiences or even more day to day segments we added to the book, I think it would be more rounded.
If you like real life stories, learning about what has happened in our world’s history and a bit of adrenaline when you read, than this is the book for you. Well written and very alluring to read, this book is a must read for anyone who watches the news on television.
This book is about more than the author who wrote the book, it is about history and humanity. A lot happens in this book, and I mean a lot. From Michael Jacksons death, to Obama becoming president and the horrible terrorist attacks that happened in France and war in the Middle East. There is a lot that happens and a lot more that I wanted from this book.
Stefanovic is a great writer I will tell you that myself. He knows how to write, he knows how to tell a story and he my gosh he has gone through a lot. There are only two things I want to comment on about this book. One, it should have been written in chronological order. The events that take place in this book happen all over the place. The second part of the book when it moves away from the Middle East, is all in order, but when your reading the first half of the book, the Middle East and Russia and everything that happens is all out of order, and if you are anything like me and try to keep up with the news but are confused by it, this book doesn’t help at all. I think Stefanovic wanted to write a lot and tell the reader a lot and it has been done, it just hasn’t been done so it is easy for the reader to read and understand.
And two, I wanted more about Stefanovic’s life. He talks about how he feels and what he went through, but there isn’t a lot about him in the book at all, most of the time you are reading captured images from his own eyes and his cameraman’s from events all over the world. If more of his opinions, life experiences or even more day to day segments we added to the book, I think it would be more rounded.
If you like real life stories, learning about what has happened in our world’s history and a bit of adrenaline when you read, than this is the book for you. Well written and very alluring to read, this book is a must read for anyone who watches the news on television.
February 5, 2017
I also really wanted to like this book and thought that I would as I am interested in journalism and foreign correspondence and know Peter has a lot of experience in both. However, I found it to be quite poorly written. It wasn't engaging or compelling at all and, with the content, it should be.
December 1, 2016
It is not the type of book that I would read but I have always been amazed of how he can report from war torn areas and natural calamities that I thought I will give his book a go.
It was slow going for me as I was trying to picture of the places he had from how he described it in the book. I was impressed with how he was able to convey the stories that he had covered along with his camera man - it was like a usual story on a Saturday afternoon where mates share what happened on their life that week.
A page turner. I liked it.
It was slow going for me as I was trying to picture of the places he had from how he described it in the book. I was impressed with how he was able to convey the stories that he had covered along with his camera man - it was like a usual story on a Saturday afternoon where mates share what happened on their life that week.
A page turner. I liked it.
January 23, 2017
As a huge fan of his I was excited by the release of this book. Interesting to get an inside view as to how news is reported and what journalists go through. It taught me to think that at times that the only thing separating them from the army is they have a microphone rather than a weapon. Based on that I found it sad that he didn't touch upon his experience with needing to seek therapy more. As if had shown his vulnerability more, we would have seen more depth to him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2016
I really enjoyed reading Peter's stories. I found it to be a crash course in foreign affairs and politics. The stories of Nepal and Haiti were really touching. He has clearly led a very adventurous life.
January 3, 2017
Great book. You see these world happenings on the television news, however, Peter Stafanovic gives you a close insight to what really went on and makes you feel more for these world episodes. Well worth reading., hope he writes another on the same lines.
April 16, 2018
couldn't put it down! hoping there's a sequel!
February 12, 2017
Very interesting! A bit hard to read, but still leaves you wanting more. Lots of information!
January 28, 2019
a very interesting book - although I do feel that it speeds through the details and is a little disjointed.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews