Uncivilized Beasts and Shameless Hellions

by Burnett, John F.

• ISBN13: 9781594863042
• ISBN10: 1594863040
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-05
• Publisher: Rodale Books

Summary

As a radio journalist whose work appears regularly on Morning Edition and All Things Considered, John F. Burnett has reported from the Branch Davidian standoff and the Kosovo conflict. He has covered the drug wars in Central America; been embedded in a Marine Division in Iraq; and weathered Hurricane Katrina, breaking news hourly on the conditions in New Orleans. And he was one of NPRs lead reporters on 9/11 and its aftermath. But no matter how much time Burnett has on the air to report his storiesand how expertly he has done sothere are always valuable details that arent mentioned. Now he fills in those rich tidbits, letting us witness the parts of the stories that remained offthe air. In Uncivilized Beasts and Shameless Hellions, Burnett exposes the hilarious moments, bizarre encounters, dangerous highways, insufferable colleagues, and unsung heroes hes known through his adventures as an NPR reporter. The result is a revealing and personal account that will fascinate not only NPR listeners but also anyone interested in the state of our world today and how the media covers it.

Author Biography

JOHN F. BURNETT has been in the midst of the biggest news stories of our age and 2005 marked his 20th year reporting for National Public Radio. He is a recipient of a 2004 Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting and a 2003 National Headliner Award for Investigative Reporting. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
SECTION I: CALAMITIES
Chapter 1 KATRINA: THE BIG ONE	3	(36)
Chapter 2 UNDER THE DRAGON'S WING IN IRAQ	39	(26)
Chapter 3 SHOWDOWN AT WACO	65	(26)
Chapter 4 GUATEMALA: CLUB SANDWICH OF FEAR	91	(26)
SECTION II: HACKS AND FIXERS
Chapter 5 KOSOVO: FIELDS OF NIGHTMARES	117	(14)
Chapter 6 PAKISTAN: BEASTS AND HELLIONS	131	(14)
Chapter 7 AFGHANISTAN: MEN WITH GUNS	145	(20)
SECTION III: ROGUES AND HEROES
Chapter 8 THE DEATH HOUSE CHAPLAIN	165	(16)
Chapter 9 THE BULL KILLER	181	(24)
Chapter 10 THE HUMAN FARMER	205	(14)
Chapter 11 THE LEAF PLAYER OF MEXICO CITY	219	(14)
Epilogue	233