Of Fortunes and War: Clare Hollingworth, first of the female war correspondents

by Patrick Garrett

A chance find in the family attic launches an author on a globetrotting odyssey to learn the truth about his great aunt, Clare Hollingworth, the legendary war correspondent. Clare was famous for getting the “scoop of the century” - the outbreak of the Second World War. But her old trunk revealed that there was a lot of her life story that had gone unreported…

From witnessing the first aerial bombing against England in the First War, through Hitler's Blitzkrieg, Clare’s résumé includes desert war in North Africa, civil war in Greece, terrorism in Jerusalem, and guerrilla warfare in Vietnam and Borneo.

But this book is about both love and war - a moving story of Clare's passion for life, but the tough compromises she had to make over personal relationships.

It is a gripping story of a century-long journey from rural England, through wars and revolutions, right up to Britain's final “End of Empire” in Hong Kong.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, Historical

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2016

Reviews

[Nicole Witen · Rating 2 out of 5]

1 1/2 stars rounded up. The 1 1/2 stars is awarded to Garrett for being a decent writer and story-teller. I'm sorry to say this 'review' is going to turn into a rant.

Let me start by saying, I think that based on all of evidence laid out by this book, Clare Hollingworth was a character, possibly quite charismatic, and a real force of a personality. I bet she was a great story-teller (in person) and given her luck (and emphasis on luck,) she witnessed truly amazing events in 20th century history and many of the actors that shaped those events.

Is she someone I would hold up as a female icon, someone I would aspire to be like? - No.
Do I think she was this amazing journalist? - No.

I was unfamiliar with Hollingworth until this biography and I took upon myself to try to read some of her past articles to get a glimmer of this female war correspondent's brilliance. She was an ok journalist, I think, based on what I could find.

Have you ever read Outliers by Gladwell? I would include her in his book. Hollingworth had the good fortune of being born into a well-to-do family, possibly with some connections, was at the right place, at the right time and things fell into place from there. She knew how to meet people, the right people to forward her journalistic and social career, and this is an excellent skillset to have for a journalist. She had the knack of being ready and willing to go anywhere, and that is a talent!

Reading between the lines, I gather, though, that Hollingworth might have been something of a fraud. Garrett attempts to make the argument that it is difficult to be both good at finding information and at writing (about it.) I would argue, Garrett, that is the very description of a journalist, especially one that 'writes' for newspapers. Hollingworth seemed to have heavily relied on others to write her work. She was good at finding the info (let's assume) and taking the notes (her writing read like a report rather than a newspaper article.) She did not seem to understand a lot of the theoretical foundations of much of what she was witnessing and writing about (which is fine,) but then trying to argue she was somehow an international politics specialist is pushing it. She did not seem to think it necessary to go out and learn that missing knowledge, despite her extensive library. There were other journalists of the time period, including women, who were better at being war correspondents than Hollingworth, I would argue. She didn't like other women journalists for various reasons and saw them as competition. I completely agree. If you are relying on male journalists to help you and using a certain female charm (and this will change with age but is still a tool,) you absolutely do not want other female journalists there. She was careful about sharing contacts because it would have damaged her facade. Those in her inner circle helped create this image she projected of herself. And, yeah I know this is cynical, but I listened to this entire book and I wanted to throw my device at both Hollingworth and Garrett. She was both a brilliant tactician and a terrible person (at least from the examples Garrett provided.) Even her clothes, they were all part of an elaborate persona. I can't be the only woman who picked up on this.

I think it fitting that her death took place in Hong Kong, the last of the British colonies. Hollingworth was an artifact of the bygone era of the British Empire. Her religion was the British Empire and she was incapable of adapting to the changing world order. So why, you might ask, do you think she was still successful as a journalist? Simple. The perception of Brits abroad changed, and Hollingworth was capable of manufacturing a certain air that suggested 'upper crust.' I also fail to be surprised that at the end of her life, she was defrauded out of money. As her great nephew says, she was not into taking care of accounts and household stuff (because somehow that was beneath her,) so it really was only a matter of time some fraudster figured her out. I'm not saying she deserved it. I'm only saying it didn't surprise me. I would love to know why Garrett (and Hollingworth) didn't try to take the case back to the UK, but I guess that's a different story.

I want to close with why I gave this biography such a low rating (despite everyone seeming to admire Hollingworth.) In the story Garrett was relating about Clare in China, a young official was intrigued by Clare and started to talk with her. He asked Clare her age, and Clare exploded on the young man - that's none of your business! It had to be explained to the young official that in the West, it is extremely rude to ask a woman her age. Do you see the problem here? Hollingworth, glorious female correspondent, who barely bothered to learn any of the languages of the countries she was reporting on (I think eventually she learned French after how many years living there and she spoke some German I gathered), was in China and they explained to the Chinese the customs of the West? Why did Clare not bother to learn the customs of China? For those of you who don't know, asking the age of a person in many Asian countries is important for honorifics and language use, and is often one of the first questions asked of an unknown individual when first addressed in these countries. The official was establishing a 'polite' context, which I am certain Garrett knows but doesn't bother to say because he wanted to use this story to highlight what a personality his Great Aunt was. To me, she sounds like she was insufferable, arrogant and annoying. This example summarizes Clare Hollingworth - no clue about the people, society, and often the politics of the countries she was reporting on. Clare Hollingworth - female war correspondent and one helluva lucky British lady.

[Julia Gilchrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Garrett's biography of his great-aunt, Clare Hollingworth OBE is brilliant. Exceptionally well narrated, written, explored, researched and compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Clare and being immersed in the early, great days of war correspondence work. That she was a pioneering woman truly excited my spirits because I'm often unwell and WFH. Travel in a time of covid is tough but I'm determined to get back out there overseas - I've genuinely been inspired by Clare's example of working through to her eighties, that it's never too late to go for adventures and to capture life's essence with dash, pluck and assertiveness. What a wonderful trailblazing woman! The cast of characters, important names and context for Clare's life and work is all entertaining and valuable to understanding how Clare ticks. There are great comparisons in anecdote style of Garrett's grandmother, Edith, and her sister Clare are laugh out loud! The country-hopping, travelogue stories and connection of place to work, culture, story filing and political intrigues are all compelling, none are dry and I read out several witty exchanges to my friends overa chat - I was *that* absorbed in Clare's story. I should also note that Garrett spent 8 years in researching and writing this book. His dedication has paid off and he's written a really excellent biography. I hope he writes more.

[Megan P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clare's life was fascinating. As a journalist myself, it was interesting to learn the challenges and difficulties of wartime reporting. However, it took me awhile to plow through this book, as the writing seemed stiff and almost read as a book report.

[Brian Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Fortunes and War: Clare Hollingworth, First of the Female War Correspondents by Patrick Garrett is one of those books where I can’t help reviewing both the book and the subject of the book. Garrett is an excellent writer and the biography seems superbly researched and conscientiously referenced. He delivers a portrait of Hollingworth with keen insight that is both compassionate and critical. Garrett’s account of his aunt conveys her drive and apparent ruthless ambition; and I don’t believe “ruthless” is too strong a term. Hollingworth obviously had many friends, admirers, and congenial colleagues; but it’s equally obvious that she manipulated and used those people who could be of value to her agenda of the moment. Perhaps that drive and determination was simply table stakes for a pioneering woman in a “man’s profession.” In this, Hollingworth reminds me of Margaret Bourke-White. So, while I suspect I would not have liked her, I find Hollingworth to be immensely inspirational, and I admire her greatly. I also admire Garrett’s work of clarity, balance, and elegance.

[Kylie Purdie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this for book club and it was good in terms of providing a lot of discussion. One thing we all felt was for someone who led such an extraordianary life, the book fell a bit flat. Clare obviously liked to keep her private life private and I think this hindered her nephew, Patrick Garrett in writing this book. Maybe someone not so close to her would have been more willing to extrapolate more, taking guesses or making assumptions about cetain events which may have made them more lively. Garrett however was not willing to put in anything he didn't know for sure, which is understandable but left the reader feeling a bit lost.
What can never be taken away however is the amazing life Clare Hollingworth lived. She seems to have lived without compromise, following her dream and her passion to the exclusion of all else. Getting the scoop was paramount in her view and nothing and no one was going to stand in her way.
As I mentioned at the beginning, it was a good book club book - lots of discussion and opinions about her experiences, the writing and how times have changed.

[Sonia Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading "Of Fortunes and War" for three reasons:
1. I love stories about gutsy women who defy social norms
2. I'm researching WWII for my next novel
3. I'm related to the author, Patrick Garrett, by marriage
The story exceeded all of my expectations. Clare Hollingworth blazed the way for female war correspondents. She was famous for getting 'the scoop of the century': the outbreak of the second world war but her illustrious career found her repeatedly at the front line throughout the twentieth century.
Patrick Garrett has done his research meticulously. With family insight, he weaves a tale that is full of details and unputdownable.
The author speaks with personal knowledge, and the authority of checking and double checking facts for accuracy. Clare Hollingworth was his great aunt.She inspired Patrick and I'm sure she'll continue to inspire people for generations to come.

[Ann Cross · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to write this but this was a dnf. I read 56% of this book and I got so bored re-reading about Clare flitting from some European city to another, invariably with a different man or husband, I just gave up. I gave those 56% 2 stars because Paul Garrett does write very well and deserves credit for that. However, as I said it was becoming far too repetitive for me and when a book does not grab me and drag me into it, I have to give it up.
Sorry Patrick Garrett, she was quite an interesting person, but I would have liked to have known a lot more about her real feelings about all the very dangerous situations she found herself facing.

[Mrs Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Interesting life and character. Picked up Claire Hollingworth's name in an article about World on Fire, as the female correspondent in the drama was based on her character. Well worth a read.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads a bit like a book report.

[Kay Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent account of an amazing life.

[Peonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In these pages lie a tremendously spontaneous, heroic, surprising and courageous story of a fiercely independent lady. A page turner that takes the reader across continents and climates, Clare Hollingworth's life story is a first person narrative of every major conflict through 20th century with a personal dose of espionage, love affairs and famous last names.

Passing away at the age of 105 last week, Clare's story should indeed be remembered and celebrated.

#CelebrateClare #FemalePioneer #GreatStory

[Tin18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read- a historical map is a good idea to have handy while reading this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This very interesting woman lived an extraordinary life at a time when women were not regarded as journalists. The book is mediocre, however, the writing by her nephew, who is likely not a writer, (so kudos to him for putting together a great mass of junk from his aunt's closet). It needs a little editing and drags a bit in some of the places where the subject of the book is actually doing amazing and exciting things. The author did quite a bit of research, but if the reader is not British, some is lost in translation. I was continually going to the internet to translate English slang and military terms. There is a bit of assumed knowledge of political events as well. I wish there were pictures but often the author describes the scene and the people so I feel I have a good image in my head.