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The Life and Times of War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix

Banana Yoshimoto

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Published in Dirty Wars And Polished Silver: The Life And Times Of A War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix

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Martha Gellhorn was a groundbreaking journalist and author who covered some of the most important conflicts of the 20th century. From the Spanish Civil War to the Vietnam War, she reported from the front lines, providing a unique and often harrowing perspective on the human cost of war.

Dirty Wars and Polished Silver: The Life and Times of a War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix

by Lynda Schuster

4.5 out of 5

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But Gellhorn was more than just a war correspondent. She was also a passionate advocate for peace and understanding. After witnessing the horrors of war firsthand, she became determined to use her voice to speak out against violence and injustice.

In 1961, Gellhorn was appointed as a special representative to the United Nations. In this role, she worked tirelessly to promote peace and disarmament. She also spoke out against the Vietnam War, becoming one of the most vocal critics of American foreign policy.

Gellhorn's life was a testament to the power of one person to make a difference. She was a fearless reporter, a compassionate advocate for peace, and an inspiration to all who knew her.

Early Life and Career

Martha Gellhorn was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1908. Her father was a gynecologist, and her mother was a suffragette. Gellhorn grew up in a privileged household, but she was always drawn to the less fortunate.

Gellhorn began her career as a journalist in the 1930s. She worked for several newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times and Collier's Weekly. In 1937, she covered the Spanish Civil War, which was her first experience of war.

Gellhorn's reporting from the Spanish Civil War was groundbreaking. She was one of the few female journalists to cover the conflict, and her dispatches provided a unique perspective on the human cost of war.

World War II and Vietnam

During World War II, Gellhorn covered the conflict from both the European and Pacific theaters. She was the only female journalist to land with the Allied forces on D-Day, and she also reported from the front lines in China and Burma.

Gellhorn's reporting from World War II was widely acclaimed. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of the war in 1947.

In the 1960s, Gellhorn covered the Vietnam War. She was one of the most outspoken critics of American foreign policy, and her reporting from Vietnam helped to turn public opinion against the war.

Ambassadorship and Advocacy

Gellhorn's work as an ambassadress and advocate for peace was inspired by her experiences as a war correspondent. She had seen firsthand the horrors of war, and she was determined to use her voice to speak out against violence and injustice.

Gellhorn's advocacy for peace was not always popular. She was often criticized for her outspoken views, but she never wavered in her commitment to peace.

Personal Life

Martha Gellhorn was married three times. Her first husband was the novelist Ernest Hemingway. She married Hemingway in 1940, and they divorced in 1945.

Gellhorn's second husband was the American diplomat T.S. Matthews. She married Matthews in 1954, and they divorced in 1963.

Gellhorn's third husband was the British journalist Sandy Campbell. She married Campbell in 1967, and they remained married until her death in 1998.

Legacy

Martha Gellhorn was a groundbreaking journalist, a compassionate advocate for peace, and an inspiration to all who knew her. Her work has helped to shape our understanding of war and peace, and she continues to be an important voice for peace today.

Gellhorn's legacy is one of courage, compassion, and hope. She was a fearless reporter, a powerful advocate for peace, and a true humanitarian.

Dirty Wars and Polished Silver: The Life and Times of a War Correspondent Turned Ambassatrix

by Lynda Schuster

4.5 out of 5