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No Ordinary Assignment
"A haunting memoir of disarming honesty. . . a remarkable testament to the anguish and the beauty of foreign correspondence.”—Roger Cohen, New York Times Paris bureau chief and author of An Affirming Flame
From award-winning journalist Jane Ferguson, an unflinching memoir of ambition and war—from The Troubles to the fall of Kabul. Jane Ferguson has covered nearly every war front and humanitarian crisis of our time. She reported from Yemen as protests grew into the Arab Spring; she secured rare access to rebel-held Syria, where foreign journalists were banned, to cover its civil war. When the Taliban claimed Kabul in 2021, she was one of the last Western journalists to remain at the airport as thousands of Afghans, including some of her colleagues, struggled to evacuate. Living with sectarian violence was nothing new to Ferguson. As a child in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and ‘90s, The Troubles meant bomb threats and military checkpoints on the way to school were commonplace. Books by Dervla Murphy and Martha Gellhorn offered solace from her turbulent family, and an opportunity to study Arabic in Yemen came as a relief—and a ticket to the life in journalism she imagined. Without family wealth or connections, she began as a scrappy one-woman reporting team, a borrowed camera often her only equipment. Networks told her she had the wrong accent, the wrong appearance, not enough “bang-bang shoot-‘em-up.” Still, Ferguson threw herself into harm’s way time and again, determined to give voice to civilian experiences of war. In the face of grave violence and suffering, this seemed a small act of justice, no matter the risks. Ferguson’s bold debut chronicles her unlikely journey from bright, inquisitive child to intrepid war correspondent. With an open-hearted humanity we rarely see in conflict stories, No Ordinary Assignment shows what it means to build an authentic career against the odds.
From award-winning journalist Jane Ferguson, an unflinching memoir of ambition and war—from The Troubles to the fall of Kabul. Jane Ferguson has covered nearly every war front and humanitarian crisis of our time. She reported from Yemen as protests grew into the Arab Spring; she secured rare access to rebel-held Syria, where foreign journalists were banned, to cover its civil war. When the Taliban claimed Kabul in 2021, she was one of the last Western journalists to remain at the airport as thousands of Afghans, including some of her colleagues, struggled to evacuate. Living with sectarian violence was nothing new to Ferguson. As a child in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and ‘90s, The Troubles meant bomb threats and military checkpoints on the way to school were commonplace. Books by Dervla Murphy and Martha Gellhorn offered solace from her turbulent family, and an opportunity to study Arabic in Yemen came as a relief—and a ticket to the life in journalism she imagined. Without family wealth or connections, she began as a scrappy one-woman reporting team, a borrowed camera often her only equipment. Networks told her she had the wrong accent, the wrong appearance, not enough “bang-bang shoot-‘em-up.” Still, Ferguson threw herself into harm’s way time and again, determined to give voice to civilian experiences of war. In the face of grave violence and suffering, this seemed a small act of justice, no matter the risks. Ferguson’s bold debut chronicles her unlikely journey from bright, inquisitive child to intrepid war correspondent. With an open-hearted humanity we rarely see in conflict stories, No Ordinary Assignment shows what it means to build an authentic career against the odds.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published July 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
March 29, 2024
Jane Ferguson is a scrappy award-winning journalist who has felt that she hasn't fit in during most of her childhood and life. She is adaptable, flexible, determined, and gritty. She recounts her personal and professional journey in No Ordinary Assignment.
Ferguson offers a front-row seat to historical events such as Arab Springs and the Taliban takeover of Kabul.
Ferguson offers a front-row seat to historical events such as Arab Springs and the Taliban takeover of Kabul.
August 4, 2023
A compelling memoir of the personal and professional life of a current day war correspondent. Both readable and memorable.
August 18, 2023
I’m back!!!! This is the first book I’ve completed in it’s entirety since January. I must say, I’m really glad this is the one I resumed my 2023 reading journey with. No Ordinary Assignment, a book about one woman’s (Jane Ferguson) quest to find meaning in her life and work, resonates with anyone questioning their career and why they do what they do. The protagonist is clearly an exceptionally smart and motivated individual, and while this could easily be a sanctimonious tale, Jane is candid about her struggles with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. As a result, she makes the book relatable even for someone such as myself who doesn’t have a clear life passion and will likely have a much less remarkable career. The core tenants of her reporting — compassion, curiosity, and dedication to human rights — can be incorporated in anyone’s life or career. In whatever field, we can all be a little more gracious to our peers and acknowledge that all of our work has an impact, however small, on other people’s lives.
Additionally, the somewhat cheesy platitude Jane clings to — Fortune Favors the Brave — takes on new meaning for me after reading this book. Her definition of bravery is moving forward amid fear and she writes “At twenty-three, I was mostly filled with fear, defiance, and a faint hope that what I was doing would work out. I had to find somewhere to belong.” This quote stuck with me as I’m currently twenty three and have a whole lot of fear surrounding not finding my place or passion. However, Jane has reminded me that while these lofty tasks can be quite scary (and it’s easy to be immobilized in the face of fear) it’s also an incredibly exciting endeavor, one that will last a lifetime and be the main driver of a lot of my big decisions. Her next paragraph reads “Every call to prayer from that first morning on served as a reminder to me that many things in life can be trusted. That few people are out to hurt you.” Her writing prompts you to do away with some of the fear you hold and replace it with a little more optimism about the world. I’ll likely not travel to the same extent she has but when I do have opportunities to, I want to embody her same curiosity and interest in human connection. There are so many awesome people out there to meet!
I give this book four stars only because it’s not the typical sort of book I enjoy, in that it’s non-fiction and auto-biographical. Nonetheless, it was an inspiring read that certainly makes one eager for adventure.
Additionally, the somewhat cheesy platitude Jane clings to — Fortune Favors the Brave — takes on new meaning for me after reading this book. Her definition of bravery is moving forward amid fear and she writes “At twenty-three, I was mostly filled with fear, defiance, and a faint hope that what I was doing would work out. I had to find somewhere to belong.” This quote stuck with me as I’m currently twenty three and have a whole lot of fear surrounding not finding my place or passion. However, Jane has reminded me that while these lofty tasks can be quite scary (and it’s easy to be immobilized in the face of fear) it’s also an incredibly exciting endeavor, one that will last a lifetime and be the main driver of a lot of my big decisions. Her next paragraph reads “Every call to prayer from that first morning on served as a reminder to me that many things in life can be trusted. That few people are out to hurt you.” Her writing prompts you to do away with some of the fear you hold and replace it with a little more optimism about the world. I’ll likely not travel to the same extent she has but when I do have opportunities to, I want to embody her same curiosity and interest in human connection. There are so many awesome people out there to meet!
I give this book four stars only because it’s not the typical sort of book I enjoy, in that it’s non-fiction and auto-biographical. Nonetheless, it was an inspiring read that certainly makes one eager for adventure.
April 26, 2023
Memoirs can be the trickiest of non-fiction categories to write. Write something which is too meek and you may sounds like a phony. Write something too boastful and you sound arrogant. Then, the challenge of how to tell stories which sometime don't connect perfectly into a cohesive whole. Jane Ferguson's No Ordinary Assignment masterfully avoids all these pitfalls by being honest and insightful while recognizing just how insane some of these experiences are.
I can't think of many books whose first chapters are so amazingly told. Jane's examination of her youth in Northern Ireland during the Troubles sets the tone perfectly. Jane reveals herself as someone who knows where her drive and quirks come from. When chapter one finished, I thought, "I know why this person would go on to do what she does." The last chapter about the fall of Kabul could probably be its own book. It is the culmination of all the chapters before and a fitting finish to this memoir even though Jane has a lot more life to live.
The chapters between these bookends (pun intended!) are uniformly excellent. The key for me is Jane's view of herself. She sees her (sometimes imagined) shortcomings and isn't afraid to point them out and own them. Conversely, she is not so humble as to deny that it takes real courage to do what she did. It's a must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Mariner Books.)
I can't think of many books whose first chapters are so amazingly told. Jane's examination of her youth in Northern Ireland during the Troubles sets the tone perfectly. Jane reveals herself as someone who knows where her drive and quirks come from. When chapter one finished, I thought, "I know why this person would go on to do what she does." The last chapter about the fall of Kabul could probably be its own book. It is the culmination of all the chapters before and a fitting finish to this memoir even though Jane has a lot more life to live.
The chapters between these bookends (pun intended!) are uniformly excellent. The key for me is Jane's view of herself. She sees her (sometimes imagined) shortcomings and isn't afraid to point them out and own them. Conversely, she is not so humble as to deny that it takes real courage to do what she did. It's a must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Mariner Books.)
April 29, 2024
I remain dumbfounded at Jane’s desire/compulsion to tell the humanitarian stories she wants to tell in spite of the danger, the wars, and the terrorists (not to mention the lack of money, hot water, a bed, or a clear way home.) It’s an amazing story. It’s also told is a way that feels fragmented. There are lots of speeding departures. She jumps from story to story, but it often reads like I’ve started reading in the middle of it, or there is not a clear ending. History is interspersed, not always in a chronological way. Her personal life is tossed in like ‘oh by the way—‘ which may be how it actually IS, but it makes for a disjointed telling. Overall, the reader will come away with an appreciation for what war reporters go through, how unglamorous it is, and how unsustainable a ‘normal’ life may be for those reporters. I am (still) a fan and wish her book had been more cohesive.
December 10, 2023
No Ordinary Assignment is a fascinating memoir chronicling journalist Jane Ferguson’s thirteen-year career as a Middle East and South Asia war correspondent. She writes honestly about journalism and about how they chose such a dangerous career, linking her unpredictable home life, childhood anxiety, and constant sense of displacement to her ability to handle fear and chaos in conflict zones. She also details her transition from fashion and lifestyle stories to frontline reporting in war-torn countries. She reflects on the emotional toll of her work, particularly her experience in Syria, and the lingering effects of trauma.
The author begins by discussing her upbringing and tumultuous relationship with her parents. I felt so bad for her child self in that situation. Having parents who are so unpredictable is not a small thing. Later, she writes about her first brush with PTSD due to her journalism, "The moment was what I always wanted, but I felt like a fraud. Staring at my reflection in the mirror as a staffer blew out my hair, I was haunted by questions. If I had stayed longer, perhaps done more stories, would it have made a difference to the UN vote? Did I take this assignment for my career or as a way to tell the story? Maybe it was just vanity and foolhardiness that sent me to Syria. What if I was not the right person? What if a better, braver reporter had gone in and stayed longer? All the while, I continued to feel fear physically. In the frantic swirl of edits, hair and makeup, on-set appearance, and meetings with management, I vibrated with fear.” No Ordinary Assignment is a powerful book for anyone interested in journalism, the complexities of conflict coverage, and personal resilience.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
The author begins by discussing her upbringing and tumultuous relationship with her parents. I felt so bad for her child self in that situation. Having parents who are so unpredictable is not a small thing. Later, she writes about her first brush with PTSD due to her journalism, "The moment was what I always wanted, but I felt like a fraud. Staring at my reflection in the mirror as a staffer blew out my hair, I was haunted by questions. If I had stayed longer, perhaps done more stories, would it have made a difference to the UN vote? Did I take this assignment for my career or as a way to tell the story? Maybe it was just vanity and foolhardiness that sent me to Syria. What if I was not the right person? What if a better, braver reporter had gone in and stayed longer? All the while, I continued to feel fear physically. In the frantic swirl of edits, hair and makeup, on-set appearance, and meetings with management, I vibrated with fear.” No Ordinary Assignment is a powerful book for anyone interested in journalism, the complexities of conflict coverage, and personal resilience.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
October 23, 2023
What a perfect book to read in this month of Middle East cataclysm. Ferguson is an intrepid Irish foreign correspondent with an abiding love for Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Beirut -- and especially for the people there, caught in cycles of violence they had no part in choosing. Her bravery is astonishing (although maybe directly referred to -- "the bureau kept saying how brave I was" -- once too often). She strives to focus on people, honoring them without judgement or condescension. Suffice it to say our country and its reckless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan do not come out well. It's crushing to read her coverage of events as they occur, knowing the agonizing end results. There is cruelty, horror, suffering and death, but mercy and humanity, always, always.
July 10, 2023
No Order Assignment is an autobiographical account of reporter Jane Anderson’s experiences as a foreign press correspondent, particularly in Afghanistan. Anderson grew up in Northern Ireland, living amid the peak of sectarian violence, which her emotionally stunted and emotionally abusive parents referred to as “The Troubles,” likely provided her with the wherewithal to seek out places such as Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan. Anderson describes these places almost lovingly, with an insider’s viewpoint rarely expressed in traditional media broadcasts, and often paints a picture of real life in these countries mostly known for their wars. She sees the people there in a way that is honest and reflective and without judgement. as one of the last members of the press to leave Kabul when the Taliban reclaimed the city, she offers a stark eye-witness account of the frantic energy of the city. This memoir is one of the best I’ve ever read, and should be considered a must-read for anyone who has any opinion whatsoever of the efforts in Afghanistan.
Special thanks to Net Galley and Mariner Books for providing an advanced reviewer copy to me in exchange for my honest review and opinion!
Special thanks to Net Galley and Mariner Books for providing an advanced reviewer copy to me in exchange for my honest review and opinion!
June 3, 2024
This is an interesting peek inside the mind of someone who chooses a job she knows carries risks including kidnapping and death. I appreciate that the author demonstrates vulnerability in this memoir--that's something you don't always get. For that reason and others, I found her likable and easy to root for.
August 21, 2023
Fabulous. Mystified as to why 1. The publishing house put zero $ behind marketing this and 2. Why the cover looks like a 2012 Instagram photo
September 18, 2023
Utterly phenomenal.
September 22, 2023
An extra ordinary non-fiction account of a well-known journalist and her assignments. She mainly reported from the Middle East ending up narrowly escaping the Taliban as President Biden got the last Americans outs.
Her story briefly covers her childhood to present day and gives an often horrific account of conditions of war - famine, disease, injuries and death of the innocent - babies, children and women.
This is a book that cannot be read lightly - it is certainly not a beach read but well worth the while.
Some parts were confusing. I could not keep straight most of the leaders mentioned. Nevertheless she does a magnificent job of recounting her dangerous moments as well as the serene ones.
Her story briefly covers her childhood to present day and gives an often horrific account of conditions of war - famine, disease, injuries and death of the innocent - babies, children and women.
This is a book that cannot be read lightly - it is certainly not a beach read but well worth the while.
Some parts were confusing. I could not keep straight most of the leaders mentioned. Nevertheless she does a magnificent job of recounting her dangerous moments as well as the serene ones.
January 6, 2024
Listened via audiobook as it's narrated by the author. I had known of Jane Ferguson's work, and was interested in her story. I did enjoy her personal story, but her observations of the Middle East were very eye-opening of what she saw on the ground. Personally, while my travels in the Middle East were in no way as dangerous as hers, there were similarities: language barriers, being the only woman in cultures that value men, being the only white woman in a scenario, white knuckling through tough situations because you only think you're valued for your bravery, feeling the absolute depths of humanity while also experiencing true joy in terrible places. I really related to those moments. Highly highly recommend this one.
March 5, 2024
This book sheds light on wars in Yemen, conflicts in the Middle East and post-9/11 Afghanistan. Jane’s first hand account of what it was like to be there on the ground is really interesting and certainly opened my eyes to what was really going on at the human level vs what gets pumped in the media / hits the headlines. Her choice of career definitely came with certain sacrifices to her personal life, which weirdly feels relatable.
An enjoyable read and one I’d definitely recommend!
An enjoyable read and one I’d definitely recommend!
November 20, 2023
Difficult to put a review into words. . .
Grateful for foreign correspondents, NGOs, truth seekers, peace keepers and warriors, healers
I listened to the audiobook. Before this I had watched “Once Upon a Time in Iraq” (2020) and read “Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures” (2004), some WWII including Churchill.
Grateful for foreign correspondents, NGOs, truth seekers, peace keepers and warriors, healers
I listened to the audiobook. Before this I had watched “Once Upon a Time in Iraq” (2020) and read “Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures” (2004), some WWII including Churchill.
February 10, 2024
I knew nothing about the author before picking up this memoir, but it was recommended by a friend and I had a long drive ahead of me and it was immediately available on Libby. Ferguson recounts her childhood in Northern Ireland and path to nationally-recognized war correspondent. Interesting but lacking a good narrative arc.
May 23, 2024
Amazing woman with a passion to tell the story at all costs. She felt compelled to showcase the cruelty, corruption and hatred so prevalent in the Middle East while also sharing the beauty of the land, culture and people who wanted to preserve it in the face of the threat of the Taliban. Her experiences fundamentally changed her life in both good ways and destructive ways. I hope at some point she finds peace in her life.
July 17, 2023
I have watched Jane Ferguson report on The PBS News Hour over the years. It is impressive that she reports from treacherous places, and I admire her courage and bravery. The book offers insights into her personal life. I am not sure that is a good thing. Also, it is disjointed, picking up and leaving off without sufficient transitions. I would find myself rereading, thinking I must have missed something, only to find out it is clarified after the fact. After awhile it all turns into a sort of swirl of dangerous car rides with good people who just happen to avoid capture of death or explosion.
December 23, 2023
Just so raw. The ending was so tragic but also made me happy for Jane. I felt myself wanting to listen to this remarkable story and just in awe that people like Jane exist in this world.
December 28, 2023
Absolutely a must read.
January 2, 2024
What a delightfully interesting book! This woman was made for this profession! Reading her harrowing stories about her experiences in Sanaa, Kabul and Syria and her stating how much she loved doing what she was doing really made me think! Not me!
I hope she can reconcile with her parents. Life’s too short.
I hope she can reconcile with her parents. Life’s too short.
March 4, 2024
From the first page I was hooked by Ferguson’s upbringing and backstory. By the last page, I was tearing up and truly emotional. The raw and revealing personal accounts from conflict zones were deeply informative and also full of relatable self- doubt and reflection. This is one of top memoirs I’ve ever read and I’m a memoir junky.
February 9, 2024
I always wandered what makes a young woman risk her life to report from war zones. I had seen Jane Ferguson on PBS newshour several times, and appreciated her journalistic style.
Her memoir answered some of my questions, and explained a lot of the history behind long term conflicts simmering and often exploding in open combat.
Highly recommended
Her memoir answered some of my questions, and explained a lot of the history behind long term conflicts simmering and often exploding in open combat.
Highly recommended
December 16, 2023
I love foreign journalists’ memoirs and this one is fantastic. Readable, vulnerable, intense and informative, Ferguson showcases her life’s work in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq- the beauty, the people and the tragedy. She has more courage than I could muster, and it makes me be reminded of how much to appreciate those who tell the stories of civilians in war.
January 6, 2024
Jane Ferguson put into words so many thoughts I’ve had about what I want to pursue in the future. Definitely a role model and probably this book changed my life??
January 28, 2024
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of "No Ordinary Assignment". I've worked tangentially on several of Jane Ferguson's pieces for the PBS NewsHour and have always admired her hard work and profound courage. This book confirmed what I've long believed - that Jane is as remarkable a journalist as she is a human being.
April 4, 2024
Remarkable story. I have such admiration for Jane Ferguson and loved learning her story. Looking forward to her next adventures.
June 8, 2024
Jane Ferguson if you see this please come back to teach at Princeton.
October 3, 2023
What a remarkable woman, and early life. Still only 39. This is a very thoughtful memoir of her upbringing, her longing for adventure and especially for being a war correspondent from her early years. Her path of course involved persistent struggles against sexism until she finally got recognized, and then became such a familiar figure on the PBS Newshour as well as in other contexts. Conveys a real, heart-stopping sense of the danger she lived in but also conveys her own yearning for and insistence on relating to civilians, telling the public how war was affecting the people -- whether in Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine. She also always comes back to self-examination -- why is she doing this, is it really helping?
September 15, 2023
3.5✨Jane Ferguson recounts her childhood, reading about traveling to foreign lands, to her passion for reporting from the front, to her ambition and finally coming to terms with herself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews