First with the News

"A genuine tour de force, I cannot recommend this highly readable book strongly enough. An exciting autobiography and insightful modern history in one volume, it's beautifully and modestly recounted as is Mike Evans' hallmark."

Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, Chief of the Defence Staff, 2010-2013

"Michael Evans's closet secret is out. To paraphrase from Dr Johnson, I believe he thinks a little meanly of himself for never having been a soldier. He would have made a good and brave one too - despite the self-deprecating way he so often analyses his feelings in this excellent book. It chronicles his particular angle on most of the major British military and political events of our time. Written simply with insightful candour and utter decency this is a story of our time as much as the author's personal recollections. In short, this is a great read."

Colonel Bob Stewart, Tory MP and commanding officer of 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment in Bosnia

"In two decades of war reporting I only ever encountered one true gentleman of Fleet Street: Michael Evans. This is the tale of his life and times, and it is as fine a read as you could hope for, complete with a fabulous cast of spooks, war lords, gangsters and whores. Most memorable of all though, is Evans' own modesty and tireless professionalism, qualities which run through this dark and exciting world as a golden thread, drawing the reader effortlessly onward in the footsteps of the author's graceful integrity."

Anthony Loyd, war correspondent for The Times

"In a profession tarnished by hackers and liars, Mike Evans is one of the good guys who does in his book what he did all his career - tells it as sees it. Straight."

Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's chief press secretary, then director of communications and strategy, 1997-2003