Minefields: A Life in the News Game

by Hugh Riminton

Hugh Riminton was a small-town New Zealand teenager with a possible drinking problem and a job cleaning rat cages at an animal lab when a chance meeting with a radio news director changed his life.

The news man took a chance on him and, at 17, Riminton became a cadet reporter.
On the strength of a two line job ad in a Perth newspaper he escapes to Australia.
It is the time of Hawkie, Bondy and $40,000 houses.

Within three years of getting his start in television, he scored one of the most prestigious and sought after jobs in Australian journalism - the role of London-based correspondent for the Nine Network.

As a foreign correspondent he travelled the world, reporting from Somalia, covering the IRA bombings, narrowly avoiding being murdered by a mob in Soweto; The Balkans are at war; the tanks are rumbling in the streets of Moscow. Back in South Africa he gets a chance to see up close the genius and humanity of the great Nelson Mandela. And then the Rwandan genocide began and Hugh is despatched to investigate - with former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser tagging along.

As the French prepare to resume nuclear testing in the Pacific, Hugh flies to Tahiti to be caught in the middle of the protest riots. After a day of being teargassed and watching his hire car getting torched, evening falls with the capital Papeete in flames. His reporting wins him a Logie Award.

Over nearly 40 years he has been shot at, blown up, threatened with deportation and thrown in jail. He has reported from nearly 50 countries, witnessed massacres in Africa, wars and conflicts on four continents, and every kind of natural disaster.

He has also been a frontline witness to pivotal moments in Australian history - from the Port Arthur massacre to the political dramas of Canberra, receiving almost every major journalism award Australia has to offer.

MINEFIELDS is Hugh's fascinating story of over forty years on the frontline of the news game.

Genres: Biography, Memoir

435 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2017

About the author

Hugh Riminton is the national affairs editor at Network Ten and author of Minefields: A Life in the News Game. He lived in New Zealand between the ages of five and twenty-two.

Reviews

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute cracker of a yarn by one of Australia’s elite journalists. Worth your time.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bloody good read. Amazing that one person could have been part of so many of the major events in recent decades.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally picked up this book as I have great respect for Hugh Riminton. That has not changed, if anything, that respect has strengthened by reading his memoir. I learnt more about his childhood and early beginnings, things I simply wasn't aware of before. I don't quite understand why one reviewer thought this was boring or unnecessary.. it is a memoir afterall. At some points I found Hugh's story telling a bit slow, like there was too much emphasis on details I didn't think were that important, but overall I enjoyed this book.

[Shanae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the entirety of this book from start to finish. Hugh writes about his experiences with incredible detail whilst still remaining respectful to the victims, particularly when talking about the Port Arthur Massacre. I already respected Hugh and admired his work before reading this book but now after reading this, I admire and respect him even more.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a reminder about some important events told from a journalist’s perspective.

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Life In The News Game...

With over forty years in journalism, Hugh Riminton has been shot at, blown up and thrown in jail. He has witnessed famine, war and every kind of natural disaster in over fifty countries on four continents. Hugh has been a frontline witness to pivotal moments in history; The Port Arthur Massacre, The Thredbo Landslide, The IRA Bombings, The Balkans at War and the Rwandan genocide. As a foreign correspondent, Hugh has had the chance to meet some of history's most important people; Barack Obama, John Howard, Malcolm Fraser and the late Nelson Mandela. Minefields in Hugh Riminton's amazing story of forty years on the frontline of news.

I loved this book...

Starting with his upbringing in Sri Lanka, to his teenage years in New Zealand, really gives to reader a chance to understand what makes Hugh tick. The choices and chance meetings that led to Hugh's amazing career make for a truly wonderful reading experience.

I loved the layout of this book. With so many stories to cover, the way in which they were broken down and told was fabulous. The stories covered in this book are mostly well-known events, so I already had an understanding of them as I was reading. Given that these events are so well-known I was glad that there wasnt an information overload. We got to read basic details and then Hugh's thoughts and experiences. This format made for a really enjoyable read.

With some truly heartbreaking stories being told, Hugh does an amazingly insightful job in capturing the best and worst of human nature. His ability to capture a situation and relate it in a deeply emotional way is a testament to his amazing talent.

This amazing memoir is filled with both heartwarming and heartbreaking stories, that will not only enlighten the reader, but stay with them long after the final page.

Minefields by Hugh Riminton will open your eyes to the world around you and leave you in awe of the human spirit.

Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Julia Gilchrist · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. I remember meeting Hugh Riminton in 2011, Canberra, at a work function and finding him intense, very intelligent, quick thinking and clear eyed on the next story. This book is the same, recounting Hugh's life chiefly as a foreign correspondent. I had not realised the full extent of his reporting, nor the respect with which he is regarded, as I am an ABC viewer. However, Channel 9 in years past had a very respected news and current affairs programming department, and Hugh embodies the best of it. If you're looking to get an insider's view of what frontline reporting is about, like and thinning of it for a career, this is a great book to read. It lets you read between the lines. At times, I'd wanted greater depth, deeper, more expensive analysis, but a reporter doesn't insert themselves too much into the story - yet I was reading this to find out what Hugh thought of all his experiences - clear sighted in the telling, but much less intense than the man I met. However, don't think this autobiography lacks substance - it has it, and is very lightly, skimming over the surface whilst hinting at the interrelated complexities of yhe major events, times, conflicts and moral ambiguities which jointly define our age.

[Peter Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm slightly unsure what to say about this work..... it is a glimpse into the intense, yet I cannot help but feel this is presented in a slightly sanitized version of what it potentially could have been. Does that diminish from it ? Likely not, for the reader is taken on a roller coaster of emotions as the author describes his journalistic journey across the years. The years, as he rightly states, that saw the extinction of journalism as true force as it had been over the previous 200 yrs.....

It is a great read, fascinating, engaging and at times emotional. A life well lived, excitingly lived and lived in a dedication to conveying the world in a professional journalistic sense before the advent of the 24hrs, news for (mostly) free, world we now live in.

Still cant help but feel however it could have been a 3rd longer and a margin better.... significant components and further details I cannot help but feel were left out..... 3.75 stars.

[John Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Red flags abound early in this book when Hugh decides to go into unnecessary detail about his childhood. A snapshot of his parent’s background and where he grew up would have sufficed - 2 to 3 pages would have done it, then move on. People are not reading this to find out ‘what makes Hugh Rimington tick?’ I did not need to learn of his childhood memories of drinking frothy strawberry milkshakes; childhood memories only help a story if they are significantly relatable to things that happen later in life.

I did not believe that he was out of control with a drinking problem as a teen - it is at odds with his achievements at school - and I believe it is just a cheap PR tool - so the story could be sold as ‘wayward, troubled teen becoming a successful foreign journalist.’ (for any non-Australian considering this book, Hugh is a news presenter at Ten and the manipulation of presenter profiles is all pervasive in our low quality, free to air networks. Ten’s fingerprints will be all over this, to the detriment of the writing).

In terms of the substantive yarn about journalistic events, Hugh’s main purpose seemed to be to convince the reader that he was a risk taker and a star. I am highly respectful of foreign journalists and the risks they take and the important role they play, and it is undeniable that Hugh deserves credit for his work, I just wished he could have set his ego to one side when telling this tale.

Disappointing read. 1.5 stars.

[Rozpoz Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t easy reading, but it’s such good reading. In order to kinda process all these horrors Riminton has witnessed, I had to read it quite gradually. It’s really quite confronting and sobering and forces us out of our privileged Australian bubble for a moment to remember and humanise all these millions of people who have been mere distant “depressing news” stories for twenty years. Thank god for people with balls of solid rock who go in there, find out what’s really going on and let us all know.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An aptly titled book with Hugh unknowingly walking into a minefield in the first 3 pages
An awesome read with countless moments of breath-holding and heart racing stories. The author experienced so many of them in the theater of civil and military conflicts, I'm amazed that he made it out alive. Occasionally interspersed with his stints on the home front, being newsreader for 6pm bulletins and the national 'Nightline' program. It was only then that I exhaled. An absolutely gutsy Journalist / Foreign Correspondent. Much respect and thanks to Hugh Riminton.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. Absolutely fantastic, although as an ex-journalist I do have a weakness for stories by journalists, particularly foreign correspondents who I consider to be the cream of the crop. Hugh Riminton tells his story with colour and detail. So much so that I was gripped from start to finish and for a journo who has done do much work for TV, he writes extremely well. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read.

[Helen Blunden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that was riveting to read. It made me appreciate what foreign correspondents do and the dangers they face to report the news to the public. I have a newfound respect for Hugh Riminton now with over 40 years experience, and seeing hunger, famine, war and death and through it all working through it. There were a few times in the book that moved me. I can’t possibly ever imagine doing a job like that. Highly recommended.

[Kristygardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! I loved the back stories to the big stories and was amazed at the risks Hugh has taken. Putting his life on the line but also constantly going out of his comfort zone, taking on challenging and new experiences. Optimism is the only way. It's an inspiring book.

[Eleanor Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
SO extremely interesting! Its only flaw was that it felt like a modern history lesson at the end rather than a personal recount.
Otherwise this book was so insightful, I learned so much about the world and the job.
Hugh is also a lovely man and it was nice to read his story.

[Katie Snell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliantly written book that gives an amazing insight into the life of a foreign correspondent - very honest, self-aware and sharp. Just a warning for readings there are some sections that are very distressing, not a book for everyone.

[Denita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book to read if you want to experience the life of a foreign correspondent. A fantastic read one of which you will never forget.

[Sarah Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining read. Very much fitting within its genre, of a journalist sharing anecdotes from the road.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read! Gives a fantastic insight into the life of a foreign correspondent. Well written and touches on details that you would usually never hear about.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read by a well respected Australian journalist. History, politics and everything in between. So wonderful

[Lesley Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugh is a good journalist and a good soul. An amazing journey through recent history.

[Carley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jonny Vaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard working journalist with a raft of stories from the frontlines and behind the news desk.

[Kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minefields is Riminton’s autobiography. It is full of well written, engaging and informative reflections about his time as a journalist in New Zealand, Australia and around the world.

The book sees Riminton detailing his time covering huge world events such as the Port Arthur Massacre, Nelson Mandela being elected, genocide in Rwanda, ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia and the lead up to the fall of Baghdad; along with touching and insightful tales of his career and personal life. There are far too many good ones but the hopes of Zachariah from South Africa will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling, while the story of Hugh winning his first logie will make you laugh.

Sadly this doesn’t fit into a category for #ktbookbingo but it’s a must read and I highly recommend it.

[Harrison Vesey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems unfair that a giant of Australian television should also be such a fantastic writer. Hugh is obviously a great diarist as this book zips along with incredible detail in short, sharp anecdotes from the many decades of his distinguished career. His self-deprecating sense of humour, great gratitude for those he has worked with, and intense passion for the subjects of his most memorable stories all make it clear why Australia has embraced this Sri Lankan born, New Zealand raised son of British expats.

The book did drive home the sad reality that there are no Australian newsrooms these days with the budget to have crews around the world, beaming home all the stories that matter. We are poorer for it.

[Yee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins with the author's childhood memories, but the part that fascinated me the most was how he started his journalism career. The feeling is strange when you see someone reading or reporting news on TV almost every night and then, you read about his autobiography, and you suddenly have even more of respect on him after knowing what he experienced, and also his seriousness and passion in his work.

This autobiography deserves applause and award.

Minefields: A Life in the News Game by Hugh Riminton.

[Terri]

Richard Fidler should be paid commissions- I’ve read so many books that I otherwise wouldn’t have after listening to interviews on the Conversations program.

Thought-provoking and humanising yarns from a man on the ground at numerous events in our recent history. The book is punctuated with enough lighter moments to balance out the more sombre stories.