Sidetracked

Every now and then someone will ask me, “Would you cover a war if you had the opportunity?”

It’s a good question. After all, for a journalist, covering a war represents a chance to make your mark – to do something meaningful. Meanwhile, you’re doing something exciting, creating stories you can one day share with your grandkids.

And, of course, I can’t forget the legend of Ernie Pyle, the great World War II correspondent who attended my alma mater, Indiana University.

“No way,” I answer without deliberation. “Not a chance.”

There are many things I consider when taking a job. But one factor I’ve never overlooked is the likelihood of getting killed.

To me, posterity just isn’t that big of a deal.

But, hey, I can still write about those who do cover war, like Ashley Gilbertson.

Gilbertson, who has shot photos for the New York Times, Newsweek and Time, will sign copies of his book, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: A Photographer’s Chronicle of the Iraq War” (University of Chicago, $35), at Borders in San Luis Obispo tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Gilbertson, who was recently featured in a lengthy NPR piece, is a native Australian, who started out shooting photos of his skater friends at age 13.

Now 29 and living in New York City, he has put together an impressive resume, having covered conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. (The photos on this blog entry, as you might have guessed, are his.)

His book chronicles many of the early battles in Iraq, often with stark (a.k.a., bloody) images of violence’s aftermath, highlighting crucial events, like the battle of Falluja, the elections and the growth of the insurgency. He also writes about his experiences, which includes his bouts with post traumatic stress disorder.

So if you want to read about war, check out his book. Meanwhile, I’ll be here, writing about the Unknown Comic and Kato Kaelin. (See Thursday’s Ticket for more.)

–Pat P.

Posted on November 20th, 2007 by Pat
Filed under: The World According to Pat