Barbara's Reviews > In Extremis: The Life of War Correspondent Marie Colvin

Marie Colvin, a foreign affairs correspondent, lived her life on the edge. From a young age danger and life risking pursuits exhilarated her. Giving a voice to those unfortunate victims of war was the elixir she needed. Her passion was helping, through interviews, the vulnerable civilians whose safety was of no concern to the ruthless leaders engaged in bloody conflicts.

Even reading about some of the situations civilians in Sri Lanka, Chechnya, Syria, East Timor, and the Middle East was heartbreaking. How much horror and cruelty can we see before we are changed by it, sometimes irrevocably? I believe Marie was definitely changed. Her life away from reporting was filled with fear, depression, alcohol, cigarettes, and bad relationships.

Marie Colvin was a courageous woman, one who seemed happiest when helping the helpless and risking her life. She lost an eye in Sri Lanka and her life in Baba Amr, Syria. I think she lost a piece of herself in each war zone assignment, and I'm not sure had she survived, she could have adjusted to everyday life.

Lindsey Hilsum, a friend of Marie's, based this book on the 300 journals and diaries Marie kept. It is well-written, informative, and heartbreaking. The world needs more people like Marie, but perhaps the cost is too great.