Close-Up on War

Starred review from June 1, 2022

Gr 7-10-Short in stature but a giant of determination, Catherine Leroy left France in 1966 to photograph the rising conflict in Vietnam. Though she had no journalism experience and had never even handled a camera, Leroy had an innate sense of the news and the confidence to ignore and overpower the sexism she confronted as the only female photojournalist. At 21, she traveled on helicopters with the troops, moved through jungles, went weeks without a shower, and gained the respect of the infantrymen. Farrell begins each chapter with portions of Leroy's letters to her mother. These small peeks into her life are often in stark contrast with her deadly profession; she asks her mother to send clothes, money, and tampons. While telling Leroy's story, Farrell also gives a compelling history into Vietnam and the events that led to the conflict. Life in Vietnam during the war is told in vivid detail, as is the hardship endured by soldiers and peasants. The book concludes with an examination of 1960s cameras, a glossary, time line, notes, and bibliography. This is really three books in one-it tells of the work of Leroy, describes the daily workings of war correspondents of that era, and gives a glimpse into life during the Vietnam War-excelling at each. VERDICT History buffs looking for a personal account of the war will enjoy this book. Recommended for schools and public libraries.-Cathy DeCampli

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 13, 2022
Cronk Farrell’s well-contextualized, quick-moving biography focuses on the innovative career of French photojournalist Catherine Leroy (1944–2006). When determined Leroy flew to Vietnam in 1966 at age 21, she barely knew how to use her new camera, but her work would only two years later win major awards and front-page coverage. Each chapter begins with a letter from Leroy to her parents back home, offering an intimate glimpse of the photographer’s personal observations and needs amid discussions of the war and of Leroy’s actions in Vietnam, which include proving herself again and again to male colleagues and the U.S. military, and risking injury while documenting air strikes. Includes a comprehensive author’s note, information on how cameras worked in the 1960s, a glossary, and a timeline. Ages 12–up.

Starred review from December 15, 2021
The story of a young Parisian woman who overcame gender barriers to take groundbreaking battlefront photographs during the Vietnam War. Following the advice of famous combat photographer Robert Capa, Catherine Leroy was determined to get close to the action in Vietnam after being inspired by photos in French newspapers. In February 1966, at the age of 21, she arrived in Saigon as a freelancer, forging ahead despite her lack of experience. As she proved herself, Leroy was able to travel with and document troops as they moved through the harsh jungle conditions, staying alert for mines and booby traps. She received exclusive access to the first paratroop mission in Vietnam, parachuting with the troops and taking pictures all the way down. Her intimate photographs resonated around the world as they showed the vulnerability and sacrifice of young soldiers as well as the suffering of Vietnamese civilians. Farrell offers an insightful, well-researched, and detailed account of Leroy's achievements as well as an overview of the history of Vietnam, the impact of the military conflict on Vietnamese people, and Americans' changing perceptions of the war. Leroy's letters and vivid examples of her photography enrich the work. This excellently written account will leave readers marveling at Leroy's determination, bravery, and disregard for her own safety as she documented what was happening in Vietnam. A riveting biography that puts an overlooked, award-winning female photojournalist into historical context. (map, epilogue, author's note, camera information, glossary, timeline, endnotes, bibliography, image credits, index) (Biography. 12-18)

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Starred review from February 1, 2022
Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* At 5 feet tall, 85 pounds, and 21 years old, Catherine Leroy wasn't whom one expected to find wandering a battlefield. Yet, despite her petite size, Leroy displayed extraordinary drive and talent in the field of photojournalism, where she learned her way around a camera on site in Vietnam, earning many prestigious awards for her compassionate and humanizing coverage of this war. Because Leroy, who was French, worked primarily with U.S. magazines and news outlets, this book reflects an American perspective of the Vietnam War. Farrell blends Leroy's experiences and achievements in Vietnam with historic details, information on combat action and shifting attitudes toward this war, and fascinating insights into the world of freelance news photography. Quotes, letters, and photos by Leroy appear in each short chapter, bringing her feisty personality to life as well as describing the troubles she faced as one of the only women photojournalists working at that time. Smooth, engaging writing nimbly avoids the doldrums of stats-saturated reportage, taking a human-interest approach to the war and putting readers directly in the action beside Leroy. Later chapters, an epilogue, and an author's note discuss the photographer's life and career after the Vietnam War and her general obscurity today as a result of her gender. Source notes, image credits, and a bibliography speak to Farrell's diligent research into this inspiring but under-recognized woman's life.

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