Under the Wire: Marie Colvin's Final Assignment
In February 2012, American foreign-war correspondent Marie Colvin was killed by artillery fire in Syria. Her death, along with that of French photographer Rémi Ochlik, became international news as officials wrangled over retrieving their bodies and struggled to evacuate other journalists injured in the attack. Conroy, Colvin’s photographer, was with her and was nearly killed as well. In this tense, hour-by-hour account, he takes readers back to Syria and the events that led to their being behind the battle lines. He also recalls an earlier assignment with Colvin in Libya, providing insight into the stress war correspondents live under in their quest for truth. Conroy pulls no punches, but he clearly admired Colvin and it’s easy to understand why. Her relentless determination to document the suffering of civilians trapped within wars they cannot control is the stuff of legend. “We can help,” she explains at one point, “we can show the world; we can bear witness.” Colvin was a significant voice in international journalism and will be sorely missed, and Conroy’s account is unforgettable. --Colleen Mondor