I read this in 1997 and had some doubts about how and why Bowden included some content, and I've just revisited it and still feel the same, if not more so.
To see my review please visit anzlitlovers.com ( )

One of my favourite books on a war correspondence/ photojournalist.
This is a well written biography of a courageous and large as life Australian who took immense risks to photograph the atrocities of war. For over twenty years journalist Neil Davis covered the conflicts in SouthEast Asia. Always at the battle front, he brought enduring images of the full horror of modern war to the world. Ironically, in September 1985, having survived so much war, Neil Davis was killed filming an attempted coup in the streets of Bangkok. ( )

This is a dense and well written biography of an 'Australian Living Legend'the cameraman journalist Neil Davis.

Much of the appeal of this book is due to author Tim Bowden, who extensively uses transcripts of Davis's own remembering of his amazing life. It also uses letters Davis wrote home to his aunt. The portrait that emerges is of a man who lived a full-on larrakin life, yet didn't find the space for emotional attachment much beyond friendships with fellow journos and empathy for the people around him.

Sadly, Davis died the day Bowden started to write this biography. The situation of Davis's death was a low-level skirmish in one of Thailand's many coup attempts. While a dramatic way to go for most people - shot up in the stree - it was rather mediocre by Davis's standards, after he had lived through so many amazing conflicts and situations, being on the forefront of news reportage for much of the carnage that engulfed south asia in the second half of the twentieth century.

After finishing this book i was left thinking that i probably would not have been able to stand Davis if i met him in real life, but he was someone who lead an amazing life. ( )

MOST excellent. I have read this repeated times over the last decade or so and am impressed each time with the subject matter and writing style. Have given it to many friends. Do yourself a favour and read it. ( )