And Thank You For Watching: Extraordinary Stories from a Veteran News Journalist

(Hardback, Main)

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For thirty years Mark Austin covered the biggest stories in the world for one of the great British TV news organisations, ITN. As a foreign correspondent and anchorman he witnessed first-hand the most epic events of our times. The stories themselves will be familiar to many people, but less well known are the often extraordinary behind the scenes tales of a newsman's life on the road; the problems encountered in some of the most dangerous places on earth; the days when things go badly wrong; the moments of high drama and raw emotion and, quite often, the hilarious happenings the viewer never imagines and only seldom sees.

Describing his time reporting on some of the most significant events of recent years, including the Iraq War, during which his friend and colleague Terry Lloyd was killed by American 'friendly fire', the historic transition in South Africa from the brutality of apartheid to real democracy, the horrors of the Rwandan genocide, and natural disasters such as the Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and the Mozambique floods, he reveals the impact that dreadful scenes of human suffering and, usually senseless, bloodletting have had on him and his news teams.

Based on decades of experience on the frontlines, this candid and revealing memoir gives a startling insight into one man's extraordinary career and lifts the lid on the world of television news.

Reviews

Mark Austin is one of the very finest television journalists anywhere, and his charming, insightful view of the world, as laid back yet gutsy as the man himself, is a delight to read. -- John Simpson
Mark Austin made his name as a distinguished journalist and one of the popular news anchors on Independent Television News... His great good fortune was to get sent to Washington to report on the Trump administration, surely one of the most unorthodox presidencies of our time. For this alone his book is a must read. -- Sir Trevor McDonald
Authoritative, searching and honest - Austin writes as brilliantly about the personal as about the professional encounters he's had. -- Emily Maitlis
This is a riveting book for those who love news by one of the best in the business. -- Piers Morgan
This insightful and superb book takes you to World Cups, to conflicts in war-torn countries, to division in Trump's America... A terrific read. -- Gary Lineker
Mark Austin is a brilliant journalist and a great guy. Read this book to be informed, entertained - and moved. -- Jeremy Bowen

Author Bio

Mark Austin worked at ITN for thirty years, where he presented the News at Ten and the Evening News, often on location from around the world, including the Antarctic, Iraq, Libya, Haiti, Nepal and Mogadishu. He has twice been named the RTS Presenter of the Year, won five BAFTA awards, an international Emmy for his reporting on the devastating floods in Mozambique and a Golden Nymph for his coverage of the war in Kosovo. He is currently a US correspondent for Sky News.