This anthology features the war reporting and commentary of Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Sydney Schanberg, showcasing over four decades of his work for the New York Times, Newsday, the Village Voice, and various magazines. Central to the collection is his renowned piece, “The Death and Life of Dith Pran,” which inspired Roland Joffé’s acclaimed film The Killing Fields (1984), highlighting the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia during the late 1970s. While Schanberg is often associated with Cambodia, he also covered the India-Pakistan war, detailing Pakistan’s violent efforts to suppress the Bangladesh freedom movement. His compelling accounts of the Vietnam conflict include the 1972 Hanoi offensive, which nearly succeeded. Years later, he revealed that many American POWs were never returned, criticizing the national press for neglecting these facts and urging Washington to disclose long-hidden documents. As the media critic for the Village Voice, Schanberg provided a distinct perspective on Iraq, labeling it America’s “strangest war.” His critiques of the Bush administration’s secrecy connect his war reportage to contemporary issues, delivering a powerful indictment of what he views as a deceptive presidency. This collection is a significant contribution from one of America’s leading journalists.
