Addario Book Report

Lynsey Addario Book

One of the most harrowing and death-defying times for Lysney Addario in the book is when she went out with a patrol group into enemy territory knowing there could be an ambush anytime waiting for them around the corner. When the rebels did finally ambush her group, she was caught off guard and was separated from her group. As the bullets flew, she dug her body into the ground hoping the bullets would continue to miss and fly over her head. Adrenaline pumped through her body while her life was on the line, desperately praying that she would get back to her group alive. This chapter unfolded with lots of close calls for Lynsey, she made out alive, but it was one of the first times she witnessed the after math of war. One of the soldiers she was with was shot and killed, and she was burdened with the full weight of war as she watched the other soldiers openly weep over their friend. Through all of this moment, Lynsey was gripping her camera and was focused and showing the public photos of the events she witnessed.

 This is truly what sets Lynsey apart from another photojournalist. She fully pursues the story, no matter what the circumstance is and how dangerous it might be. She laid her life on the line constantly for her work. She did this in order to create a story that few around the world witness. She always tried to be as close as possible to the action in order for her to capture shots that really feel like you are experiencing what is happening in the photograph. One quote that really explains her thought process throughout the book was "An experienced conflict photographer would know to stay, to shoot the wreckage, injured, and dead, but I was young" (122). This understanding of her role and desire to present a story no matter the danger really changes from the beginning of her career to the end.

 In my mind once she became married and had a kid, the risk she took of going back into war zones to shoot a story was not worth it. Once she shared and committed her life to another person, I don't believe the risks she took were necessary. But whether or not it was a good risk, she made really compelling images and was really good at what she does. My favorite photo is the one of the Arab women wearing the blue burka in the middle of the desert with a really big blue sky. Like most of her she does an amazing job of composing her work and making you feel like you're really there witnessing what she is seeing. 

This book was a very good read and one of the quotes that really stood out to me while reading it was, "Many smiled back, calling me by my title: 'Sahafiya.' Journalist. It is who I am. It's what I do" (341). This quote wraps up the entire book very neatly by just explaining, Lynsey Addario is a photojournalist by heart and it's what she absolutely loves to do.