I read this book on the night of February 22, 2022 as news out of the Ukraine was looking dire. I write this on the night of the 24 as Russia's invasion has begun. A curious bit of synchronicity that has definitely colored my thoughts on the book, as I've bounced between thinking about that invasion and this book over the last 48 hours.

On its own, the book is a fun romp, and something of a revenge narrative for a journalist embittered by what the news industry in general, and war reporting in particular, has become. The main conceit is that a disaffected war reporter realizes "they know everyone" -- all the players on both sides, legit and not, and starts manipulating events for his own advantage. its a super-spy goes rogue narrative -- only the superspy didn't start in an agency, but on a paper. On its own, fun, but not necessarily great -- and at times a bit self-indulgent in some odd macho, professional version of what I've heard mocked as "mary sue"-ism in other contexts.

That said, that basic premise of the book fits into my personal confirmation bias on what the role of a journalist really is--something I'm probably more prone to look for in the context of current events...

Late stage European monarchs often had a network (spies, secret police, etc.) that reported directly to them aside and independent from their official and formal government. It was a way to make sure they actually were being fed accurate information by their ministers, and that their ministers were actually doing their jobs. If we take the idea of "popular sovereignty" seriously -- well, then we see that in a modern democratic republic journalists actually serve the same role. This is why, while I abhor it, when "western" journalists are targeted by autocratic regimes, I understand why and think the idea of "innocent bystanders" is fairly ridiculous. This is also why in a time like now, where we trust and value neither our journalists nor our officials we are in such a dangerous place. Just think of how many monarchs/dynasties have crumbled because a sovereign no longer knew whom to trust and didn't value those who would tell them the truth no matter how disquieting.. the west, and my own nation in particular, seem to be tipping over that precipice.

(2022 Book 6) ( )

A dark thriller about a war correspondent who goes rogue and starts making the news happen so he can boost his reputation and profitability. It's all a bit too aloof and cold, much like the anti-hero at its center, to provide any heart or excitement. And then it just goes over the top, too unbelievable to follow.

I like the desire to draw attention to the failing state of journalism in the world today, but this just comes off as petty nose-thumbing from the self-righteous. ( )