An autobiography by the veteran BBC News foreign correspondent. Simpson takes us on his journey into Kabul after the fall of the Taliban, then waxes eloquent on the topic of Capital J Journalism. The high points are his riffs on the concept of journalistic objectivity and on day-to-day life for reporters in war zones. There are rich anecdotes and leisurely reminiscences of the BBC universe—maybe too many, and maybe at too much length. This tome could stand to lose 100 pages, but there’s plenty to enjoy if you can see past all the fireside chats. Reviewed on Feb. 5, 2021