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Shooting History
The compelling autobiography of one of the great and most committed newsmen of our time: full, frank, and occasionally very funny, Jon Snow’s memoirs are as revealing about the great and the not-so-good as about his own passionate involvement in the reporting of world affairs.
Jon Snow is perhaps the most highly regarded newsman of our time; his qualities as a journalist and as a human being – his passion, warmth, intelligence, frankness and humour – are widely recognised and evident for all to see most nights on Channel 4 News and now in the pages of his first book.
His vivid personal chronicle is filled with anecdotes and pithy observations, and delightfully records his life and times since becoming a journalist in the early 1970s. He reported widely on Cold War conflicts in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Angola and Central America before becoming a resident correspondent in Washington D.C. in the 1980s, and he has met and interviewed most of the world’s leaders.
Drawing lessons from these experiences, he has pertinent things to say about how the increasing world disorder came about following the fall of the Berlin Wall; how the West’s constant search for an enemy has helped unhinge the world; and how and why the media have, in general, been less than helpful in drawing attention to key political and global developments.
Jon Snow is perhaps the most highly regarded newsman of our time; his qualities as a journalist and as a human being – his passion, warmth, intelligence, frankness and humour – are widely recognised and evident for all to see most nights on Channel 4 News and now in the pages of his first book.
His vivid personal chronicle is filled with anecdotes and pithy observations, and delightfully records his life and times since becoming a journalist in the early 1970s. He reported widely on Cold War conflicts in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Angola and Central America before becoming a resident correspondent in Washington D.C. in the 1980s, and he has met and interviewed most of the world’s leaders.
Drawing lessons from these experiences, he has pertinent things to say about how the increasing world disorder came about following the fall of the Berlin Wall; how the West’s constant search for an enemy has helped unhinge the world; and how and why the media have, in general, been less than helpful in drawing attention to key political and global developments.
395 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
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157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 17, 2013
Snow's autobiography is a personal view of the news, complete with intense and angry commentary. As a teenager he went to Uganda under the auspices of VSO, an experience which set his feet on the path to a quiet battle for global social justice…
Diving forward and backward in time and from the intimate to the planetary, I found Snow's book slippery, forcing me to stay focussed and aware. I was gripped and inspired by his commitment, putting aside extravagant ambitions in favour of a middle way and a just world. I was very sorry to finish it.
"I don't think there's any such thing as neutrality but I think we can strive for objectivity and balance"
Diving forward and backward in time and from the intimate to the planetary, I found Snow's book slippery, forcing me to stay focussed and aware. I was gripped and inspired by his commitment, putting aside extravagant ambitions in favour of a middle way and a just world. I was very sorry to finish it.
"I don't think there's any such thing as neutrality but I think we can strive for objectivity and balance"
January 4, 2022
A fascinating collection of amazing stories. He talks about meeting with a huge number of incredibly famous people, but it never seems like name-dropping; he remains endearingly humble and insightful throughout. It's interesting to see how when he is young, and living in or stationed in one place at a time, his writing seems to concern only this place at that time. By contrast during his later career, despite still being stationed in one place, he spends a lot more time recounting events going on in the wider world. The subtitle 'A personal journey' made me think he would spend a lot more time than he did talking about his wife and family, who seemed not to get much of a mention. I also learned a lot myself while reading this, about the people, places and events he encountered. Overall, I would very much recommend this. It's not a very long read either, and nicely split up into defined chapters.
May 23, 2018
I just finished listening to the audiobook of this title, narrated by the author
It is wonderful especially, if like me, you are old enough to remember some of the events he covered
It is less of an autobiography than it is a wonderful session of story telling - only all the stories are true
I often forgot he was reading as it really did sound like he was telling tales of his amazingly interesting life
It is also a great way to get a highlights history of the last 30-odd years
Highly recommend it
It is wonderful especially, if like me, you are old enough to remember some of the events he covered
It is less of an autobiography than it is a wonderful session of story telling - only all the stories are true
I often forgot he was reading as it really did sound like he was telling tales of his amazingly interesting life
It is also a great way to get a highlights history of the last 30-odd years
Highly recommend it
December 4, 2017
First published in 2004, this amazing story of an amazing journalist is ultimately sad. After chronicling some thirty years of first world ineptitude, Snow dares to hope that the world will have learned that the neo-conservative agenda would be revealed for what it is, and that a more fair & egalitarian approach to world affairs might blossom. Sadly, this expectation is far off the mark.
Nevertheless, this book is well worth a read – it might even be life changing.
Nevertheless, this book is well worth a read – it might even be life changing.
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September 21, 2020I hadn't realised that this was written some years ago so I was surprised when it ended and wasn't close to the current day. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it immensely. Jon Snow has led an amazing life. I have watched him for years as a newsreader on Channel 4 News and was completely unaware of what had come before.
September 23, 2020
Enjoyed this. It’s a whirlwind of late 20th century historical events told through Jon’s eyes and his retelling is engaging.
September 28, 2023
Almost twenty years later the book is still as up to date and fascinating as ever.
June 30, 2024
Interesting biography.
December 30, 2024
Did not finish this book. A bit boring for me.
December 30, 2014
I'm not really one for reading autobiographies, seeing as they mostly tend to be a bit uncritical or self-congratulatory. But I like Jon Snow a lot, and picked this up cheap somewhere.
It was worth the read. Snow is an engaging presence, even if his prose does occasionally tend towards the spoken news link and that rhetorical practise's tendency to repetition/reinforcement (delete depending on how kind you are feeling).
However Snow is self-aware in a way a lot of reporters don't seem to be. He notes his own privileged upbringing, he and his profession's failings, and his mistakes. He isn't trying to portray himself as the hero, rather as a lucky man who has got to do a lot of things he wanted to do, while failing to do things he feel he should have done. His concern at how Western media ignores places, especially in Africa, when it doesn't suit their desire for a particular story is heartening, even as he admits he hasn't successfully remedied this as much as he would like.
His stories are diverse and well-told, sometimes funny, sometimes angry. I liked that he had an agenda, an upfront one, and was willing to put his neck on the line for causes he believed in, both then and now.
I also feel a little annoyed that I read this now, in 2014, rather than when it came out - not long after it did I got to meet Snow and that would have allowed me to ask him some of the questions I had after reading this. Oh well, next time.
It was worth the read. Snow is an engaging presence, even if his prose does occasionally tend towards the spoken news link and that rhetorical practise's tendency to repetition/reinforcement (delete depending on how kind you are feeling).
However Snow is self-aware in a way a lot of reporters don't seem to be. He notes his own privileged upbringing, he and his profession's failings, and his mistakes. He isn't trying to portray himself as the hero, rather as a lucky man who has got to do a lot of things he wanted to do, while failing to do things he feel he should have done. His concern at how Western media ignores places, especially in Africa, when it doesn't suit their desire for a particular story is heartening, even as he admits he hasn't successfully remedied this as much as he would like.
His stories are diverse and well-told, sometimes funny, sometimes angry. I liked that he had an agenda, an upfront one, and was willing to put his neck on the line for causes he believed in, both then and now.
I also feel a little annoyed that I read this now, in 2014, rather than when it came out - not long after it did I got to meet Snow and that would have allowed me to ask him some of the questions I had after reading this. Oh well, next time.
August 3, 2014
It starts on in traditional autobiographical style, but by the time we get to Snow's time at Channel 4 it just hops from one anecdote to the next. This is fascinating, but with less of a common thread is not a full life-story as some might expect. Past his childhood there is very little talk of his personal life. This is fine - it is the book he set out to write, his perspective on world events - but something to be aware of if you're a Snow fan seeking to know more.
Written as this book was not long after the turn of the century it mentions 9/11 often. In fact, *every* event seems to foreshadow those attacks, according to Jon. However, it ends rather abruptly just as the west invades Iraq, as when it was written there had not yet been time to reflect on the effects.
Still, a well-written an interesting read for sure.
Written as this book was not long after the turn of the century it mentions 9/11 often. In fact, *every* event seems to foreshadow those attacks, according to Jon. However, it ends rather abruptly just as the west invades Iraq, as when it was written there had not yet been time to reflect on the effects.
Still, a well-written an interesting read for sure.
August 11, 2013
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected.
Jon Snow comes across as compassionate, open-minded and unstuffy in the best journalistic tradition. He has travelled to all parts of the world and respects the good people he finds along the way, listening to and learning from everyone and everything.
I was surprised by his personal bravery and fascinated by his take on the events he has witnessed and participated in over his long career.
He comes across as passionate and honest, with a keen sense of right and wrong.
The book is easy to read and fast paced, as you would expect from such an experienced journalist.
And I shall definitely make a point of switching to Channel 4 News to see him in action!
Jon Snow comes across as compassionate, open-minded and unstuffy in the best journalistic tradition. He has travelled to all parts of the world and respects the good people he finds along the way, listening to and learning from everyone and everything.
I was surprised by his personal bravery and fascinated by his take on the events he has witnessed and participated in over his long career.
He comes across as passionate and honest, with a keen sense of right and wrong.
The book is easy to read and fast paced, as you would expect from such an experienced journalist.
And I shall definitely make a point of switching to Channel 4 News to see him in action!
October 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, although it covers most of his career quite briefly. I suppose that is my main criticism, that he covers such a vast amount of time with at times very little detail but maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much. It has encouraged me to look at a number of historic events that I was unaware of in the 70s and others that I had vague knowledge of in my teenage years (the 80s). In other areas it has brought a fresh perspective and a renewed interest. In my opinion there is very little here that is controversial and I feel that he is holding back a little on his true opinions and any revelations. As a presenter of Channel 4 news I think that this is understandable and I look forward to any future books that Jon Snow releases.
May 16, 2011
For my non-UK friends, Jon Snow is a UK TV journalist who has been reporting on the news since the 1970s and as a result has met and interviewed almost all of the history makers during his career. This book is a great read and great refresher for the history of the modern era written first hand by someone who was there when many times history was made. His background to the general of Princess Diana was enlightening as I missed the UK news as developed at the time.
US readers may find the UK portions a little obscure but they do reveal how the upper echelons of UK society works.
Overall an amazing story of an amazing life.
US readers may find the UK portions a little obscure but they do reveal how the upper echelons of UK society works.
Overall an amazing story of an amazing life.
July 13, 2007
I am not usually a biography reader. However I made an exception for Jon Snow's 'Shooting History' on recommendation from a friend and did not regret it. A fascinating account of this journalist's travels throughout the past 40 years and it helps one to understand how US foreign policy in the past has affected the world today.
March 27, 2014
Not being familiar with Jon snow was probably a impediment to the enjoyment of this book. While I found it entertaining some of my favorite bits were those that crossed paths with a Robert Fisk book detailing their joint adventure, and I have to say I enjoyed Mr Fisk's accounts more as he provides a more . Still an entertaining read
December 7, 2013
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Although I don't agree with a few of Mr. Snow's conclusions or his absence of criticism of Tony Blair. Then, right at the end when I thought I couldn't enjoy it any more than I already was, he started talking about a more recent trip through West Africa.
Burkina Faso even got a wee mention. That's always nice to see.
:-)
Burkina Faso even got a wee mention. That's always nice to see.
:-)
July 6, 2010
A very entertaining memoir by arguably Britain’s favourite news presenter/journalist par excellence. If you want to read about how many journalists work, or what kind of person gets involved in the first place, this is a good place to start.
June 7, 2007
An intreguing insight into the world and lifestyle of this most respected broadcast journalist.
July 22, 2007
Interesting to read a news anchor / reporter's personal opinions on some of the events he's covered, but unexpectedly naif stylistically.
February 8, 2021
Interesting account of the life of the war journalist who eventually became one of UK TV's most-recognised news anchors.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews