On Monday [in April, 1324] at the hour of vespers John, son of William de Burgh, a boy five years old, was in the house of Richard le Latthere and had taken a parcel of wool and placed it in his cap. According to him this makes for authenticity by relying on information from people who can say, “I was there,” such as the bystanders, travellers, warriors, murderers, victims, and professional reporters he has included in his collection.

The Faber Book of Reportage Paperback - 1996 - Biblio The Faber Book of Reportage Paperback - 1996 - Biblio

You're probably aware of most of the major historical events that are covered in this book, but having an account from someone who was there makes it a lot more interesting. Whether it is the death of Socrates or George Orwell being shot by a sniper in the Spanish Civil War (I didn’t know about that! The men in the trenches spent the last day turning every dugout into a death trap and the most innocent-looking things into infernal machines.A true five-star masterpiece that collects hundreds of eyewitness accounts of important historical events from the age of antiquity to the overthrow of Marcos. FEATURED ON BBC 2's BETWEEN THE COVERS WITH SARA COX***The Faber Book of Reportage is John Carey's remarkable collection of eyewitness accounts that draws on the voices and emotions of the people who experienced some of history's most memorable events. The book can be dipped in and out of and whilst many of the accounts are harrowing, brutal, vivid and jaw dropping, it is certainly a fascinating and unforgettable read. A piece from Robert Graves, from 1915, described the incredible courage of a “tender-hearted lance-corporal named Baxter”, who walked out on his own into No-Man’s Land on the Western Front, waving a handkerchief, to go to a wounded soldier trapped close to the German lines.

The Faber Book of Reportage - John Carey - Google Books

In snatching this relic from the fiery furnace, my hand was severely burnt; and had anyone seen me do the act I should have been put into quarantine. I wasn't interested in much regarding the Korean or Vietnam Wars, but was interested in a Veterans' protest march on Washington D.If I had to make one change to this book, it would be to provide more contextual information on some of the lesser-known events. This book, Eyewitness to History, is pack-jammed with accounts of famous events and not so well-known points in history.

The Faber Book of Reportage by Professor John Carey - Waterstones The Faber Book of Reportage by Professor John Carey - Waterstones

Most are only a few pages long, and as they are all self-contained, the book is one that you can pick up and set down as you please. Many of them are about military battles, some about religious subject matter, some cultural events or famous political happenings, and some are just unique happenings somewhere in the world. There are many gripping and unique perspectives given throughout this book to much of human history. On the downside I would have liked more reportage from the 20th Century - there's surprising little! Tsar Nicholas II and the Russian Imperial family shot 1918 - not sure why they had to shoot the doctor, the maid and 2 waiters also?Mostly events of various levels of human depravity toward one another from wars, to massacres, to torture. The majority of the articles are written by relative unknowns, whose only claim to fame is recording the events in which they were involved, even if only as sightseers. JEREMY PAXMAN 'Fascinating - there's funny stuff, interesting stuff, loads of brilliant stuff really. The final entry is on the fall of President Marcos of the Philippines in 1986, and by this point, it was obvious that I was reading the work of a professional reporter, and I have to admit that I liked the more amateur (unpolished) accounts better.