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The First Casualty: A Memoir from the Front Lines of the Global War on Journalism
Extremely timely, enlightening and passionate, The First Casualty is foreign correspondent Peter Greste’s first-hand account of how the war on journalism has spread from the battlefields of the Middle East to the governments of the West.
In a world where the first casualty of war is truth, journalism has become the new battleground.
Peter Greste spent two decades reporting from the front line in the world’s most dangerous countries before making headlines himself following his own incarceration in an Egyptian prison. Charged with threatening national security, and enduring a sham trial, solitary confinement and detention for 400 days, Greste himself became a victim of the new global war on journalism.
Wars have always been about propaganda but today’s battles are increasingly between ideas, and the media has become part of the battlefield. Extremists have staked a place in news dissemination with online postings, and journalists have moved from being witnesses to the struggle to a means by which the war is waged – which makes them a target. Having covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, as well as having spent time in prison in Egypt, Greste is extremely well placed to describe in vivid detail what effect this has on the nature of reporting and the mind of the reporter.
Based on extensive interviews and research, Greste shows how this war on journalism has spread to the West, not just in the murders at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo or the repressions of Putin’s Russia, but Australia’s metadata laws and Trump’s phony war on ‘fake news’.
In this courageous, compelling, vital account Greste unpicks the extent to which modern investigative journalism is under threat, and the fraught quest – and desperate need – for truth in the age of terrorism.
In a world where the first casualty of war is truth, journalism has become the new battleground.
Peter Greste spent two decades reporting from the front line in the world’s most dangerous countries before making headlines himself following his own incarceration in an Egyptian prison. Charged with threatening national security, and enduring a sham trial, solitary confinement and detention for 400 days, Greste himself became a victim of the new global war on journalism.
Wars have always been about propaganda but today’s battles are increasingly between ideas, and the media has become part of the battlefield. Extremists have staked a place in news dissemination with online postings, and journalists have moved from being witnesses to the struggle to a means by which the war is waged – which makes them a target. Having covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, as well as having spent time in prison in Egypt, Greste is extremely well placed to describe in vivid detail what effect this has on the nature of reporting and the mind of the reporter.
Based on extensive interviews and research, Greste shows how this war on journalism has spread to the West, not just in the murders at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo or the repressions of Putin’s Russia, but Australia’s metadata laws and Trump’s phony war on ‘fake news’.
In this courageous, compelling, vital account Greste unpicks the extent to which modern investigative journalism is under threat, and the fraught quest – and desperate need – for truth in the age of terrorism.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2017
12 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Peter Greste
13 books14 followersPeter Greste was born in Sydney and studied journalism at the Queensland University of Technology. His work as a foreign correspondent for Reuters, the BBC and Al Jazeera has taken him around the world, and he has lived in London, Belgrade, Africa, South America and Afghanistan. He was awarded a Peabody Award in 2011 for his documentary on Somalia, and the Australian Human Rights Medal in 2015 for his work as an advocate of a free press. In 2103 he was arrested in Cairo, along with his Al Jazeera colleagues, for reporting news that was ‘damaging to national security’. He was subsequently tried and convicted for seven years, but was released without explanation after 14 months in prison, an experience he and his family recounted in Freeing Peter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 11, 2021
Peter Greste was an Australian Foreign Correspondent who found himself in an Egyptian jail and The First Casualty, his memoir, made for incredibly interesting reading (listening). As you might expect of an experienced journalists he was articulate, intelligent and told a compelling story filled with food for thought and new perspectives on many matters.
The book starts with a raid on his hotel room and he's taken in for questioning. Knowing he'd done nothing wrong he expected this to be an annoying interruption into his evening and that he'd be sent home a few hours later after they realised they'd made an error. Instead this was the beginning of a 400 day ordeal in which he was imprisoned, held in solitary confinement, and after eleven court hearings in which there was no concrete evidence to support the allegations against him, was eventually found guilty and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Some months after the completion of the trial, a little over a year after his ordeal started, Peter Greste was suddenly released. The Egyptian President released him to his country of origin (i.e. Australia) to complete the judicial process yet there was no file of evidence nor anything to indicate he'd broken any laws (Australian or Egyptian) and as such the Australian Government treated him as a free man.
After the conviction but before his release, in a message he circulated via his brother he stated "....But the verdict confirms that our trial was never simply about the charges against us. It has been an attempt to use the court to intimidate and silence critical voices in the media." His book used multiple examples to show how he believed this to be the case and his arguments were quite persuasive. Interestingly he placed much of the blame for the changes in attitudes towards journalists on the events following 9/11 and the declaration of a War on Terror. In part this argument was as follows.
" A good friend once quipped...that the War on Terror is an abstract noun. It means whatever anyone wants it to mean...governments are exploiting that sponginess by redefining it in ever-broader terms. The problem for journalists is that in the war of ideas, the battle field extends to the place where ideas themselves are tested - in other words, the media. We are no longer simply witnesses to the struggle. We are, by definition, a means by which the war itself is waged. This is not an abstract concept."
Funnily enough for a book I rate highly I made a slow start. The main reason for me was that it was set in a number of Middle Eastern countries and I struggled with many of the names. After 50 pages I switched across to the Audiobook and finished 300+ pages in the space of a day. Not only did hearing the names pronounced seem more familiar but I couldn't stop listening. Read by the author himself the Audiobook was excellent and I highly recommend it. In fact after I finished I went back and listened again to several chapters.
My review has not done justice to the book. It made me think on countless topics. He opened my eyes to the ways governments and media influence each other and what this means for the reporters themselves. I enjoyed the resilience he showed, the way he got himself through an extraordinarily difficult situation using positivity and his mental strength, when the experience could so easily have crushed him. I'm so glad to have read this memoir.
The book starts with a raid on his hotel room and he's taken in for questioning. Knowing he'd done nothing wrong he expected this to be an annoying interruption into his evening and that he'd be sent home a few hours later after they realised they'd made an error. Instead this was the beginning of a 400 day ordeal in which he was imprisoned, held in solitary confinement, and after eleven court hearings in which there was no concrete evidence to support the allegations against him, was eventually found guilty and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Some months after the completion of the trial, a little over a year after his ordeal started, Peter Greste was suddenly released. The Egyptian President released him to his country of origin (i.e. Australia) to complete the judicial process yet there was no file of evidence nor anything to indicate he'd broken any laws (Australian or Egyptian) and as such the Australian Government treated him as a free man.
After the conviction but before his release, in a message he circulated via his brother he stated "....But the verdict confirms that our trial was never simply about the charges against us. It has been an attempt to use the court to intimidate and silence critical voices in the media." His book used multiple examples to show how he believed this to be the case and his arguments were quite persuasive. Interestingly he placed much of the blame for the changes in attitudes towards journalists on the events following 9/11 and the declaration of a War on Terror. In part this argument was as follows.
" A good friend once quipped...that the War on Terror is an abstract noun. It means whatever anyone wants it to mean...governments are exploiting that sponginess by redefining it in ever-broader terms. The problem for journalists is that in the war of ideas, the battle field extends to the place where ideas themselves are tested - in other words, the media. We are no longer simply witnesses to the struggle. We are, by definition, a means by which the war itself is waged. This is not an abstract concept."
Funnily enough for a book I rate highly I made a slow start. The main reason for me was that it was set in a number of Middle Eastern countries and I struggled with many of the names. After 50 pages I switched across to the Audiobook and finished 300+ pages in the space of a day. Not only did hearing the names pronounced seem more familiar but I couldn't stop listening. Read by the author himself the Audiobook was excellent and I highly recommend it. In fact after I finished I went back and listened again to several chapters.
My review has not done justice to the book. It made me think on countless topics. He opened my eyes to the ways governments and media influence each other and what this means for the reporters themselves. I enjoyed the resilience he showed, the way he got himself through an extraordinarily difficult situation using positivity and his mental strength, when the experience could so easily have crushed him. I'm so glad to have read this memoir.
December 22, 2017
Unsurprisingly, it was the author’s name that caused me to pull this book off the new releases’ shelf. I was in my penultimate year of high school when Greste’s imprisonment in Egypt flashed across ABC news. The fact that the only other news stories I can remember from that year are the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping and plane MH-17 goes to show that Greste’s plight must have struck a chord with me. Seeing the book on the shelf, I recalled watching the episode of the Chaser’s Media Circus when, as a guest on the show, Greste broke into tears as it was announced that his two former fellow inmates had been released. I had cried too at seeing Greste’s emotion both raw and unedited and inhabiting my living room. Hence I found myself reading the blurb of the book without even taking a proper look of the cover or title.
As promised by the back cover, Greste doesn’t merely recount his experiences behind bars in Egypt. After all, good journalists don’t tell stories just for the sake of a well-spun yarn. Instead he sews the seams of his Egyptian chapters with two other narratives - his years with the BBC as a foreign correspondent as well as his own commentary on the role of journalism within the current political climate. He does his job and he does it well.
The writing itself dissolves in the mouth like lemon, leaving a tingling sensation on the tongue. Even while recounting brutally real and personal events, it almost feels like I’m reading a crime thriller. It’s nice to see that Greste has not fallen into the common trap of memoirs or autobiographies which often favour streams of consciousness and plunge into far too many minute details. The alternation between the three different points of focus is exceptionally well-executed. I’ve never seen this type of structure in a non-fiction book before although I’ve encountered it many times in novels before and never to my liking. In works of fiction, I find myself always favouring one perspective or plot line over another and end up rushing through the other chapters. Happily, in Greste’s book this is not the case. Each section is clearly differentiated from the others and, unlike fiction, do not run parallel narratives but instead are anchored by a common theme. Although they could have stood on their own fairly well, they smooth paint over each other like palette knives and give the book more weight.
Greste does not hesitate in declaring his message. He weaves his stories together to demonstrate the crucial role journalism plays in any democratic system. He highlights the onus on journalism to strive to achieve neutral reporting and consequently using sources derived from all sides of the narrative. If the international community had any doubts as to whether journalists have been crying wolf, especially in regards to their concerns over Trump’s crackdown on press, those can certainly be set aside. Greste reveals ways in which both dictatorships and democracies have clamped down on free press in order to secure their own authority.
Just to top it all off, it is a quick and easy read. It is not necessary to be at all familiar with Greste’s story to enjoy this book as it will interest anyone with an interest in international affairs or writing.
As promised by the back cover, Greste doesn’t merely recount his experiences behind bars in Egypt. After all, good journalists don’t tell stories just for the sake of a well-spun yarn. Instead he sews the seams of his Egyptian chapters with two other narratives - his years with the BBC as a foreign correspondent as well as his own commentary on the role of journalism within the current political climate. He does his job and he does it well.
The writing itself dissolves in the mouth like lemon, leaving a tingling sensation on the tongue. Even while recounting brutally real and personal events, it almost feels like I’m reading a crime thriller. It’s nice to see that Greste has not fallen into the common trap of memoirs or autobiographies which often favour streams of consciousness and plunge into far too many minute details. The alternation between the three different points of focus is exceptionally well-executed. I’ve never seen this type of structure in a non-fiction book before although I’ve encountered it many times in novels before and never to my liking. In works of fiction, I find myself always favouring one perspective or plot line over another and end up rushing through the other chapters. Happily, in Greste’s book this is not the case. Each section is clearly differentiated from the others and, unlike fiction, do not run parallel narratives but instead are anchored by a common theme. Although they could have stood on their own fairly well, they smooth paint over each other like palette knives and give the book more weight.
Greste does not hesitate in declaring his message. He weaves his stories together to demonstrate the crucial role journalism plays in any democratic system. He highlights the onus on journalism to strive to achieve neutral reporting and consequently using sources derived from all sides of the narrative. If the international community had any doubts as to whether journalists have been crying wolf, especially in regards to their concerns over Trump’s crackdown on press, those can certainly be set aside. Greste reveals ways in which both dictatorships and democracies have clamped down on free press in order to secure their own authority.
Just to top it all off, it is a quick and easy read. It is not necessary to be at all familiar with Greste’s story to enjoy this book as it will interest anyone with an interest in international affairs or writing.
June 11, 2025
I have never been so intrigued by media and war, Peter writes a very interesting and eye opening story. I feel like I need to listen all over again to let more information take root. There is so much to learn from him.
On the weekend, I met Peter Greste, and as he signed my book I told him I am enjoying listening to his book and that I only had 2 hours left!
He explained he is always interested in how many people listen to the book, I explained that I love listening to non-fiction, especially if the author reads the novel, as I feel it then doesn't get lost in translation.
He understood what I meant and told me that it meant a lot to him. Which I was very surprised and chuffed about. I thanked him, and I hope he remembers that moment as I will !
Quotes:
"Growing up we are constantly told that justice will prevail and that as long as we do nothing wrong, we will live safe, comfortable lives. It is a profoundly a Christian, Western view of the world that our fates are largely in our hands- that if we succeed it is because we have worked hard or are particularly talented, or if we get into trouble we have failed in some way, or done something wrong to incur gods punishment....as a reporter I have covered enough misery to know that this is nonsense"
"Routine is a wonderful thing. Even in the direst of circumstances (especially in direst of circumstances), it gives form and structure- a kind of temporal scaffolding that gives the illusion of stability."
On the weekend, I met Peter Greste, and as he signed my book I told him I am enjoying listening to his book and that I only had 2 hours left!
He explained he is always interested in how many people listen to the book, I explained that I love listening to non-fiction, especially if the author reads the novel, as I feel it then doesn't get lost in translation.
He understood what I meant and told me that it meant a lot to him. Which I was very surprised and chuffed about. I thanked him, and I hope he remembers that moment as I will !
Quotes:
"Growing up we are constantly told that justice will prevail and that as long as we do nothing wrong, we will live safe, comfortable lives. It is a profoundly a Christian, Western view of the world that our fates are largely in our hands- that if we succeed it is because we have worked hard or are particularly talented, or if we get into trouble we have failed in some way, or done something wrong to incur gods punishment....as a reporter I have covered enough misery to know that this is nonsense"
"Routine is a wonderful thing. Even in the direst of circumstances (especially in direst of circumstances), it gives form and structure- a kind of temporal scaffolding that gives the illusion of stability."
February 2, 2018
Excellent piece of writing that cleary sets out the importance of the role that informed, active journalism has to play in the maintenance of civil society.
July 1, 2019
Readable book
65% history (...felt like re-reading the newspaper
articles about Afghanistan, 9/11, Arab Spring)
35% memoir
Conclusion: Grest examines his feeling during his
ordeal (imprisonment)...but would have liked more in depth reflection
instead of pages filled wth re-capping past historical events.
65% history (...felt like re-reading the newspaper
articles about Afghanistan, 9/11, Arab Spring)
35% memoir
Conclusion: Grest examines his feeling during his
ordeal (imprisonment)...but would have liked more in depth reflection
instead of pages filled wth re-capping past historical events.
November 7, 2018
Brilliantly structured and very well written, as you would expect given the author, with the only thing for this reader not rating it 5 stars was the over reporting (pardon the pun) of his experiences in Egypt.
The rest of the work however is brilliant in it's assessment and documentation of the downward perception, and in cases output, of the 4th estate. Open, honest, non biased journalism is fundamentally critical to any true democratic state, as it is this that holds the other 3 elements to account. The author covers multiple examples where the erosion of journalism has had a detrimental immediate, medium and long term impact on the functioning of several sovereign democracies, and so too in other nations and states that do not meet the same criteria.
Written by a journalist who has spent his career within well respected mainstream news organisations who's name alone provide and afforded access to the subjects of his reporting, the authors first hand observations and experience, delivered in a balanced and unbiased manner, makes this a thoroughly engaging work.
No spoilers, however if you are aware of his experience with the Egyptian legal system, this re-counting of that time is also very well worth the reading. If you are unaware, or want to read a first hand account of the legal system and processes of that system in 2014, then this will add to an already significant work.
The rest of the work however is brilliant in it's assessment and documentation of the downward perception, and in cases output, of the 4th estate. Open, honest, non biased journalism is fundamentally critical to any true democratic state, as it is this that holds the other 3 elements to account. The author covers multiple examples where the erosion of journalism has had a detrimental immediate, medium and long term impact on the functioning of several sovereign democracies, and so too in other nations and states that do not meet the same criteria.
Written by a journalist who has spent his career within well respected mainstream news organisations who's name alone provide and afforded access to the subjects of his reporting, the authors first hand observations and experience, delivered in a balanced and unbiased manner, makes this a thoroughly engaging work.
No spoilers, however if you are aware of his experience with the Egyptian legal system, this re-counting of that time is also very well worth the reading. If you are unaware, or want to read a first hand account of the legal system and processes of that system in 2014, then this will add to an already significant work.
May 3, 2018
An excellent book. Greste clearly states the jeopardy that freedom of the press is currently in. The ‘War on Terror’ has given governments the excuses that they need to produce laws that make good investigative journalism a very risky business, even in Australia. The view that the world should drop the term ‘War on Terror’ and use more appropriate language describing it as a’ global Islamic insurgency’ seems appropriate. This could assist unify the rest of the world against Islamic extremists rather than creat a them and us culture against Islam. It was a great read and the first book that has brought me to tears in a long time. I heard Peter Greste give the PEN lecture last night. He spoke as a great journalist who still has a mild dash of Aussie larakin in him.
August 19, 2018
Nice to hear the details of a well known story from the “inside” and that half of the book was reasonably engaging. The alternation to the political commentary was annoying at first because it distracted from the momentum and in the end because it was relentlessly repetitive- a bit like Peters’s days in prison. I totally agree with the points he makes about freedom of the press and the need to ensure that journalists are able to investigate, analyse and present both (or multiple) sides of a story. It just didn’t gain from being repeated so frequently. Finally, I would have liked a bit more introspection on the time after his release and how he felt about the role he continued to need to play to help get the end result.
February 14, 2020
Outstanding analysis of the loss of press freedom worldwide.
June 23, 2019
A well written, impressive argument for free press in a democratic society, with journalists protected for reporting unbiased facts on matters which the public has the right to know.
For two decades, Greste travelled the world reporting on conflicts in some of the world’s most dangerous countries such as Iran, Afghanistan and Somalia. He reveals the risks he and his colleagues faced as they investigated opposing sides, often under difficult weather, communication and travel conditions. He interweaves these experiences with the event with which readers are more familiar.
In December 2013, Greste and two colleagues from Al Jazeera were arrested and accused by the Egyptian Government of colluding with anti-Government groups. He gives a very detailed account of their confinement (of over a year) and trial, the difficulties he faced by having to use a translator, and the different judicial system.
Greste believes that journalists have a duty within a democracy to report information that the public has a right to know. He insists this information should be impartial and not endanger security of governments.
He refers to four specific strategies used by Governments, corporations and others in power to openly attack the media and put them in poor light.(e.g. Trump's consistent use of "fake news") This has resulted in a diminishing lack of confidence in the media. Unfortunately many governments in the present day introduce new laws in attempts to stop the publication of matters that embarrass them, or that they do not want their citizens to know about for various reasons.
An important book for our times.
For two decades, Greste travelled the world reporting on conflicts in some of the world’s most dangerous countries such as Iran, Afghanistan and Somalia. He reveals the risks he and his colleagues faced as they investigated opposing sides, often under difficult weather, communication and travel conditions. He interweaves these experiences with the event with which readers are more familiar.
In December 2013, Greste and two colleagues from Al Jazeera were arrested and accused by the Egyptian Government of colluding with anti-Government groups. He gives a very detailed account of their confinement (of over a year) and trial, the difficulties he faced by having to use a translator, and the different judicial system.
Greste believes that journalists have a duty within a democracy to report information that the public has a right to know. He insists this information should be impartial and not endanger security of governments.
He refers to four specific strategies used by Governments, corporations and others in power to openly attack the media and put them in poor light.(e.g. Trump's consistent use of "fake news") This has resulted in a diminishing lack of confidence in the media. Unfortunately many governments in the present day introduce new laws in attempts to stop the publication of matters that embarrass them, or that they do not want their citizens to know about for various reasons.
An important book for our times.
August 3, 2020
I have been accidentally listening to a series of books written by journalists and then narrated by themselves. I enjoyed The Court Reporter and Any Ordinary Day: Blindsides, Resilience and What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life and I also enjoyed this title. I had read Freeing Peter which is a wonderful family account of the freeing of Peter Greste from prison in Egypt. This book bring the wider concept of the importance of journalistic freedom in to greater focus. It is a strong reminder that there are many journalists gaoled or killed because people do not like what they are saying, and it is an important call for press freedom, as well as responsibility. Even though I knew the outcome, tension was created as the story built. There are explicit descriptions of violence towards journalists - these are not easy listening.
January 20, 2018
For years I’ve always wanted to be a Foreign Correspondent. I’ve envied their role so close to the action and bearing witness to changes as they take place around the world…..Not any more…. Peter Greste’s account , not only of his own incarceration but the experiences of others who just want to tell the world what is happening, has cured me of any desire to take on the role.
He skillfully weaves his own experience in Egypt through the ongoing narrative of the“global war on journalism” .
He takes us to Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and covers the Charlie Hedbo massacre in Paris. The most sobering chapter for me was “The Fearful Country”, about Australia.
The book raises many questions about freedom of speech, what is truth, how do we know what we see and hear in the media is n accurate presentation?
Greste is clearly a good person. I knew that before I read the book. His work is always worth reading.
He skillfully weaves his own experience in Egypt through the ongoing narrative of the“global war on journalism” .
He takes us to Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and covers the Charlie Hedbo massacre in Paris. The most sobering chapter for me was “The Fearful Country”, about Australia.
The book raises many questions about freedom of speech, what is truth, how do we know what we see and hear in the media is n accurate presentation?
Greste is clearly a good person. I knew that before I read the book. His work is always worth reading.
May 6, 2019
This is a memoir of Australian journalist Peter Greste who was arrested in Egypt whilst covering the political uprising there along with 2 other colleagues from Al Jazeera Network.
With frankness he described the ordeal and also gave an insight into the risky profession of journalism.
In this era of fake news and paparazzi's, people have lost respect for this occupation but there are journalists like Peter Greste who put their lives at risk so that people can have right information. Not to mention the huge number of journalists who lost their lives while upholding one of the basic requirements of a functional democracy and people's right to news.
I totally agree with Mr. Greste on his vies on the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the demands made by islamists.
This is a must read for anyone having any dilemma in their minds about what should be the extent of freedom of speech.
With frankness he described the ordeal and also gave an insight into the risky profession of journalism.
In this era of fake news and paparazzi's, people have lost respect for this occupation but there are journalists like Peter Greste who put their lives at risk so that people can have right information. Not to mention the huge number of journalists who lost their lives while upholding one of the basic requirements of a functional democracy and people's right to news.
I totally agree with Mr. Greste on his vies on the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the demands made by islamists.
This is a must read for anyone having any dilemma in their minds about what should be the extent of freedom of speech.
April 26, 2020
A well-written manifesto for press freedom; I liked the way he shifted between flashbacks of his previous reporting assignments and his time in jail. I also enjoyed hearing about the ways he looked after himself in prison (as it turns out, these are very similar methods for coping during a pandemic!).
However I'm disappointed he didn't address the absence of press freedom in China; perhaps he thought China was too obvious of an example or he didn't feel it was appropriate to discuss because he was never based there. Even so, censorship and restrictions on covering the world's second-largest economy is dangerous for all of us; I don't think you can write about press freedom without at least mentioning China.
However I'm disappointed he didn't address the absence of press freedom in China; perhaps he thought China was too obvious of an example or he didn't feel it was appropriate to discuss because he was never based there. Even so, censorship and restrictions on covering the world's second-largest economy is dangerous for all of us; I don't think you can write about press freedom without at least mentioning China.
December 19, 2020
I bought this book after hearing Greste speak at a forum and being thoroughly impressed with the clarity of his analysis and his response to the experience of being jailed in Egypt. The dual unfolding of the story of his experiences in Egypt and elsewhere as a 'war' reporter, as well as the larger story of the suppression of the media across the globe was compelling. Greste writes beautifully, giving the reader the feeling of being in the time and place while also challenging you to see and examine the bigger picture of what has actually been happening. He asks very timely questions about truth, the role of journalism, political leaders, and the implications for the future of democracy. Very readable and recommended.
December 31, 2018
An excellent and sobering book. Greste has skilfully weaved the story of his arrest and incarceration into a broader analysis of media reporting over the past 24 years. I was worried about reading it - stories of wrongful imprisonment are high on my list of fears - but I needn't have worried. He has a gentle but also somehow sharp-edged touch with his story, and I was really impressed with his breaking down of the trends within journalism over recent decades. The western world does not come out of it unscathed either. Some of his most damning writing concerns the US and Australia. An important book to read in today's climate of fear and the 24-hour news cycle.
February 13, 2019
A fascinating and thought provoking memoir. Greste uses his personal experience as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East and East Africa, as well as his jail time in Egypt to demonstrate how governments -including Western liberal democracies- in a post 9/11 era are increasingly restricting freedoms of speech and curtailing independent journalism. I found his accounts of his time in the Egyptian justice and prison systems fascinating and I applaud his attempts to present views from both sides. Anyone who thinks that the Australian government keeping two years of metadata on every citizen has nothing to worry about unless you are a terrorist should read this book.
February 26, 2018
A very well written account of the arrest and the journey this journalist and his colleagues went through for 400 days.
And entwined with his story are accounts of foreign correspondents journeys and the change that he has seen with the treatment of media and journalism by governments and wars and politics/power.
This is an important book to have in the world. A must read.
And entwined with his story are accounts of foreign correspondents journeys and the change that he has seen with the treatment of media and journalism by governments and wars and politics/power.
This is an important book to have in the world. A must read.
January 24, 2019
A very eye-opening account not only of Greste's ordeal in Egypt, but of the state of journalism since 9/11 and the War on Terror. Very insightful and engaging account of factors that have changed and shaped the world this century. It made me think more deeply about the publics relationship with the government, courts and the media.
January 21, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. I saw Peter Greste talk in person at the Sydney Opera House and will forever remember him describe one of the first cells he shared with many men as the same size as the plush red carpet their chairs were sitting on. The combination of his story and the commentary on journalism is just brilliant.
December 16, 2017
How precious is true justice and an impartial legal system which can only be enhanced by true open journalism, not politcal power controlling, money generating journalism.
Scarce everywhere in the world.
Scarce everywhere in the world.
April 25, 2018
This book is genuinely tremendous. Greste tells his own story so very well, and puts forward his arguments re: the role that 9/11 played in changing the role of media in conflict superbly. Highly recommend.
February 29, 2020
A fascinating and thought provoking book discussing freedom of the press, freedom of speech and the role of the press concerning terrorism post 9/11. Written by an Australian journalist who spent months in an Egyptian prison while working for Al Jazeera. A must read.
November 5, 2017
Part memoir of his time in prison and part impassioned plea to preserve press freedom, this is a fascinating read.
February 7, 2018
I felt like I'd had a long conversation with Peter because it flowed along so naturally I felt I had been part of the fiasco. A heavy subject covered in a book that is easy to read.
July 30, 2018
The truth is stranger than fiction...
May 12, 2019
Timely, insightful, well written and much needed given the current state of things with regards to press freedom and freedom of speech the world over.
January 18, 2021
Self absorbed, absolving and ultimately boring.
July 6, 2025
Part autobiography (of the time the author spent in prison in Egypt) and part reflection on the decline of press freedom around the world
September 1, 2025
Didn't finish it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews