Michael Evans' captivating new memoir, First with the News, takes us back to the days when Fleet Street was filled with the biggest and most competitive names in journalism. This recollection of Evans' time advancing in his journalism career, until he became the Defence Correspondent for The Times and ultimately covered six wars, is a completely gripping read. One that will make you feel nostalgic about the days before the rise of technology, when journalists went above and beyond to put everything they could into each one of their stories.

First with the News draws you in from the very first page, as you read about Evans' first experience in the war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina. The writing style is concise and straight to the point, which offers you vivid images of the experiences he faced - a style he has quite clearly carried on from his years of making headline news. His image of the young Croatian mother holding her baby in her arms whilst surrounded by the sound of gunfire is an image that is sure to remain in my mind just as it does in his. It shows the true effect war has on the country it takes place in; something many forget about when the majority of reports focus on the effect it has on our own country.

Each chapter reads like a news story. Dramatic headlines with equally as captivating and informative reports; however, all written from Evans' personal point of view. This is a refreshing read. You are provided with the drama of the events, alongside how the media reacted to it personally and the effect it had on them. When reading breaking news, it is easy to forget that there are journalists who have put themselves on the line, and like Evans, in amidst the war, in order to bring home the news that will shake the world. As he rightfully states 'A reporter with a notebook is as vulnerable to the next bullet as a soldier armed with a rifle or machine gun.'

By reading First with the News, the reader gets an exclusive view into some of the most controversial stories of the 21st century, such as the killing of bin Laden and the notorious Guantanamo Bay. Evans' covered these stories during his time as Pentagon Correspondent and even visited Guantanamo bay personally. Evans also ensures that the reader learns about his personal experiences and opinions on some of the bravest soldiers he had the honour to meet. It's wonderful learning about the brave people who fought and reported on these wars and Evans pays a true homage to them. He has a complete respect for those fighting for their country, and his writing conveys this.

After having such an enthralling life of working some of the biggest cases in the past decades, it is easy to say that it's a pleasure to be taken on the journey whilst Evans revisits his past. This is a memoir well written, and a life well lived.

Amazon Customer

Michael Evans' First with the News reads like a whirlwind of newspaper articles, following the breadth of his incredible career as a war journalist. It was so insightful, and being able to explore the conflicts of our Parliamentary figures as well as the distress of multiple countries across the world was very enjoyable.

I was hooked by Evans' writing, and each new chapter offered a new story that I could indulge in. I was angry, annoyed, gripped, and intrigued by some of the events that occurred. I wanted to know more of the call girl that he met and the details of the story that were never revealed; I wanted to know more about the mysterious men in the shadows of Evans' narrative. These stories hold all the intrigue and suspicion that you would expect from a war correspondent.

There were so many un-named individuals and it drove me mad not knowing who exactly he was discussing. I found myself making guesses and speculating the true extent of the events that I was reading about. It was really interesting to read about all the transport and expeditions that Evans' was able to experience, and seeing the photography that accompanies the book only added to that intrigue.

This is the perfect book for anyone who is fascinated by war journalism, politics, parliamentary conflicts, and I would highly recommend it. The events are really well-written and it is very clear that Evans has put in a lifetime of experience in his writing. He knows exactly how to grab your attention and hold it to the very end.

Amazon Customer

First with the News is a gripping read from the very first page. Michael Evans writes engagingly and simply, painting a vivid picture, whether he is describing the internal workings of Fleet Street or the horrors and tragedies of war-torn countries. I was fascinated by both his personal and professional lives; the insight into the life of a journalist in a period of such rapid change (especially regarding technological advance) was incredibly interesting to read. Though Evans makes a point of stating that luck played a big part in his rise through the ranks, it's clear that he's a talented writer and reporter, and I greatly enjoyed hearing about the various 'scoops' that enabled him to gain success in the field.

Most riveting of all, for me, were the chapters that dealt with the various wars Evans covered. He writes in such a way that his personal feelings towards events are always in the background, allowing him to tell the story of what happened clearly and simply - from the purely factual details of who was in charge and their military plans, to engrossing descriptions of the characters he interacted with or interviewed, and the stark reality of what it is like to be in a war zone. Still, it's possible to get a glimpse into his state of mind, whether he was traumatised and horrified by, or (in some cases) simply accustomed to the constant background of violence, catastrophe and gunfire.

My favourite part of First with the News is the viewpoint it presents upon modern history. I grew up without a TV and much of what happened in the world during the early 2000s went over my head - at seven, I had little to no understanding of terrorism and war, and events such as 9/11 or the tube bombings in 2005 were not ingrained into my consciousness the way they were (and are) in the minds of anyone who was old enough to grasp what had happened. I have hugely enjoyed the chance to see world history through the eyes of a reporter who not only knew about these things, but was often more or less in 'the front line' and an actual eye-witness of war and political exploits. His explanations of the various events leading up to and triggering military intervention in the Gulf and Iraq wars, and the detailed account of the factions in the civil war in Bosnia, for example, were enthralling and a wonderful way for me to learn far more about the whos, hows, whys and wheres of war in the last couple of decades than I ever did at school or from the internet.

Whether he is writing about his colleagues, war crimes, or bloodshed and death, Evans retains a light tone and an ever-present sense of humour which makes First with the News a real delight to read. Amusing anecdotes about miscommunications or unexpected twists make history come alive in a way that will have you eagerly turning the pages to find out what happened next.

Amazon Customer

Having limited knowledge of the history of conflict in the regions Michael Evans visits in First with the News, nor the role of reporters negotiating these situations, I was anticipating a flashy, dramatic story intended to play on the audience's emotions - and perhaps a touch exaggerated for effect. But while Evans' account of his experiences around the world is both vivid and truly emotive at times, he manages to keep First with the News grounded in such a way as to remind the reader that this was, in fact, his reality. Many people (myself included) assume that reporters are regarded as "neutral" in warzones and are somehow always protected from the fighting; we are swiftly disabused of this notion as Evans tells us that in Bosnia his group was 'unprotected and, as it turned out, vulnerable to attack by all three factions in the civil war who cared nothing for freedom of the press... journalists with media stamped on their flak jackets and on the doors of their vehicles were fair game'.

A captivating start, First with the News' introduction finds us instantly transported to war-torn Bosnia in the 1990s. In these hard-hitting first pages we are introduced to the essence of life as a war reporter: Evans recalls how a young man begged him to escort his wife and infant child to safety across the Croatian border, but feeling forced to decline so as not to endanger his own party - something he describes as 'a decision that would haunt me forever'. Already I had a sense that the contents of this memoir may leave me with a similar feeling. Near the end of this chapter Evans returns briefly to the incident with the young couple - having safely made his way into Croatia, he wonders 'Would the woman and her baby survive the war? I never found out. I never even knew her name.' The emotional toll of war reporting is never clearer than in that one sentence.

However, this is merely a taster to whet the appetite - and an effective one: had I been idly browsing, this introduction would have compelled me to take First with the News< up to the counter! Before launching us again into the heady world of international journalism and all that comes with working in an active warzone, Evans takes his reader back to the very start of what will become an illustrious career; from humble beginnings as he transitioned from teaching to the bottom rung of the journalistic ladder, covering local flower shows, obituaries, and minor crime, we follow his progress to Fleet Street and involvement in stories that rocked the decades - IRA attacks, political scandals, diplomatic incidents, conflict over the fate of the Falkland islands, and more.

Overall, a fascinating insight into not only the evolving world of journalism from 1970s to the present day, but also recent history more broadly - and from a unique perspective. Evans has a very engaging style with a conversational lean, the narrative is well-paced and his years of professional writing experience are obvious. Excellent, I would recommend to anyone with even the slightest interest in the subject.

Amazon Customer

One reporter's impressive career is laid bare in First with the News. Michael Evans has recounted his rise from local to national newspaper, and from Bosnia, Falklands and the Gulf to Iraq and Afghanistan. Evans' account details the competitive nature of journalism, and a forty year career that has seen many highs and lows.

This book is extraordinary in its content; Evans covers the beginning of his career and subsequent rise to Fleet Street and from defence correspondent to defence editor and to Pentagon correspondent. The overriding sense is that, for all the hard graft involved, an element of luck and being in the right place at the right time is just as important. Saying 'yes' to all opportunities also plays an important part of building a career and reputation, even if it meant travelling into dangerous and war-torn countries for Evans. He is remarkably blase about his war time experiences, and experiencing gun and mortar fire. There are not many occasions in which Evans mentions being scared, and the few mentions of the emotion must mean that events were really dire. Similarly, the everyday tone when discussing travelling in armoured cars, or wearing his 'flak jacket', is evidence that he had become inured to the violence around him.

Not only is Evans well-travelled, but also extremely well-informed and the book works well as a behind the scenes, informal account of a number of modern conflicts in which Britain has been involved. From knowing nothing about the crisis of the 1990s in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was illuminating and humbling to read a first-hand record of the crisis. The atrocities of war which are reported in the book paint a disturbing picture and the fact that Evans continued to travel into war damaged countries says a lot about his determination and job satisfaction. It is easier to make grand, sweeping statements with hindsight, and inevitably Evans is speaking from this position. Suggesting that events might have been different or even avoided could be seen as hubris, something shared by journalists and historians alike. Light relief and smiles are provided with the sighting of Elizabeth Taylor in a smart restaurant in Beijing and meeting the Queen aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in the Bahamas. The photographs of Evans on duty provide the same relief, and to some extent prove that the dramatic stories included really did happen!

Throughout the book, Evans balances a clear and concise writing style with a dry wit. This is a different writing style from years of reporting the news whilst not being part of the news, but the transition has been seamless. The book is easy and fascinating to read. The chapter titles are punchy and grab the readers' attention; the focus of the chapter is sometimes lost in reminiscing, but this does not detract from the clarity of writing. Through his familiarity with the military and being embedded with the military overseas, Evans uses a lot of technical jargon when discussing guns and aircraft; he also uses military acronyms. Whilst the acronyms are explained at first use, their repetition without the explanation can be slightly confusing to those unfamiliar with the subject. The language was clear throughout, and despite the technical terms for military weapons, the text is concise without being condescending.

Evans' book of contacts is clearly impressive, and one which was built over years. It is evident that the contacts he fostered within the Government and with other newspapers were based on mutual trust and respect. Evans talks about contacts, or friends, within the industry and has taken the time to name and praise each one. This shows Evans to be a decent man, with good integrity, as well as showing that journalism is a profession where it is who you know that counts. It is made clear that Evans made personal sacrifices for big stories; he only stayed for a day for his son's wedding in Rhodes to travel back to London to cover US airstrikes over Afghanistan. The sacrifices made for his career must not have been easy to make or bear, but reflected in his book is the fact that although journalism was never considered by him as a career, it was in his blood.

First with the News is the extraordinary account of Michael Evans' career in journalism on Fleet Street. In a career that spans more than forty years and several continents, this book reads in part like a travel diary. This provides the general public with an impressive insight into the job of a dedicated reporter and also serves as a reminder for Evans, of what he achieved throughout his career. First with the News is interesting and engaging, if a little long, but is a highly compelling and striking read.

Amazon Customer

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