News from the Front

by Sandy Gall

Sandy Gall's autobiographical account of his life as a reporter and newscaster gives insight into the people in and behind the news over the last 15 years. It includes descriptions of his experiences in Vietnam, Cambodia and Afghanistan, his close association with the late President Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan, and his dramatic reporting of the outbreak of the Gulf War.

Genres: Journalism

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 1994

About the author

Henderson Alexander Gall was a Scottish journalist, author and Independent Television News (ITN) news presenter whose career as a journalist spanned more than 50 years. He began his career in journalism as a sub-editor at the Aberdeen Press and Journal in 1952 and became a foreign correspondent for the Reuters international news agency from 1953 to 1963. Gall joined ITN as a foreign reporter and troubleshooter in 1963, and also worked as a newscaster on News at Ten between 1970 and 1991. He was the Rector of the University of Aberdeen from 1978 to 1981 and founded the Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal charity with his wife in 1986.

Reviews

[W]

Read it a while ago. I remember this book,because it contained a chapter on Pakistan,and the situation here in 1977,when after a lot of political instability and allegations of election rigging,Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was overthrown. General Zia ul Haq took over.
The author,a television journalist,was on good terms,with General Zia ul Haq,and was among the first to be granted an interview with Zia,soon after the 1977 coup.

General Zia assured him that elections would be held in ninety days,and that he had no intention of staying in power. As it turned out,he stayed in power for eleven years,till his assassination.

The book also includes the author's experiences in Vietnam,and other hot zones.