Pringle and Dinh, the unforgettable hero and anti-hero. Makes me want to reread your memoir Vietnam: A Reporter’s War, along with that other classic, Dispatches by Michael Herr.
Oh what a story of young journalists putting their life on the line to get “that story” of some terrible times in our history.
So pleased you and Pringle made it through to live into your eighties with your wives. We and future generations are fortunate to have your stories of these times
Thanks Hugh, I've passed it on to Nuj and Leo (he was with AFP for a long time and then spokesman for UNHCR). Nuj is a class act from Thailand. Smart and civilised people.
What a fine read Hugh: thank you. I had the pleasure and privilege to work on many assignments as photographer with Jim in Beijing in the 1980s. I’d love to get in touch with him again.
Thanks Adrian. Jimmy lives in Paris with his Cambodian wife Milly who you probably met. He is not doing too well at the ripe old age of 87. I will onpass your comment to them and no doubt Milly wil be in contact.
Thanks Hugh. I’m glad to hear they are both not so far away. Cambodia is sounding like a less salubrious spot than Paris these days especially for those of mature years. We are living just outside Oxford now and some of our neighbours turned out to be mutual friends of Jimmy and Milly: Leo and Nuj Dobbs. Perhaps you know them too? I owe Jimmy quite a few debts of gratitude though I suspect he does not quite remember those days so vividly. Your account gave me a terrific reminder of what it was like to work with the legendary Jimmy. Thank you again.
Yes, Adrian: I suspect there a hell of a lot of us who owe Jimmy Pringle a debt of gratitude: even for allowing us to befriend such a legend. I didn’t know Leo and Nuj, so I hope ou pass my story on Jimmy to them.
So right Hugh it is all political opinion, and that's why people have stopped watching and reading MSM. The commentators think that they are the " Stars ". Your writing is a breath of fresh air ..
Yes Bob, that MSN comes up automatically on my computer when I move the mouse to the right. It's a mix of actual news, sneaky ads, and political opinion already broadcast on TV.
Our media has basically stopped telling us stories in a straight fashion.
You couldn't say anything better to a writer, Bob, than to say I made you feel as if you were there. That's what writing's supposed to be all about. Sadly, there's not much of it around now -- it's all poiticcal opinion. Which is why I started doing this.
I just love your recollections of Vietnam Hugh. You were all heroes in my eyes. Journalism at its most intrepid, fairest and best. Bravo to all of you.
I wil pas that on to Jimmy Pringle Cackles. I can't pass it on to the others who were there with us as three of the five in the office were killed in Vietnam.
Pringle and Dinh, the unforgettable hero and anti-hero. Makes me want to reread your memoir Vietnam: A Reporter’s War, along with that other classic, Dispatches by Michael Herr.
You have always been a great supporter of my writing Craig: what did you think of the title!
Hugh
Yes, me too. I will reread it - and soon!
I hope you do Cackles -- and I suspect you will!
Absolutely loved this story Hugh, always fascinated how you weave history, humour and fact into such entertaining reads, thank you 😁
Thanks Roger, as someone who has done it himself with Keith Loughlan's wonderful memoir that's a compliment indeed!
Thanks for taking the time to keep my enthusiasm up to keep writing these stories.
Hugh
Oh what a story of young journalists putting their life on the line to get “that story” of some terrible times in our history.
So pleased you and Pringle made it through to live into your eighties with your wives. We and future generations are fortunate to have your stories of these times
Yes Sheryl, I had to write it all down - because I would never do that all again!
As some sage once said: "there are two certainties about war: young men die; and doctors can't do anything about it".
Thanks Hugh, I've passed it on to Nuj and Leo (he was with AFP for a long time and then spokesman for UNHCR). Nuj is a class act from Thailand. Smart and civilised people.
He may have known my AFP mate in Saigon Francois Mazure?
I know how smart the Thais are — the man who put me on substack has a Thai mother!
Hugh
What a fine read Hugh: thank you. I had the pleasure and privilege to work on many assignments as photographer with Jim in Beijing in the 1980s. I’d love to get in touch with him again.
Thanks Adrian. Jimmy lives in Paris with his Cambodian wife Milly who you probably met. He is not doing too well at the ripe old age of 87. I will onpass your comment to them and no doubt Milly wil be in contact.
Hugh
Thanks Hugh. I’m glad to hear they are both not so far away. Cambodia is sounding like a less salubrious spot than Paris these days especially for those of mature years. We are living just outside Oxford now and some of our neighbours turned out to be mutual friends of Jimmy and Milly: Leo and Nuj Dobbs. Perhaps you know them too? I owe Jimmy quite a few debts of gratitude though I suspect he does not quite remember those days so vividly. Your account gave me a terrific reminder of what it was like to work with the legendary Jimmy. Thank you again.
Yes, Adrian: I suspect there a hell of a lot of us who owe Jimmy Pringle a debt of gratitude: even for allowing us to befriend such a legend. I didn’t know Leo and Nuj, so I hope ou pass my story on Jimmy to them.
Milly is looking after him in Paris,
Hugh
So right Hugh it is all political opinion, and that's why people have stopped watching and reading MSM. The commentators think that they are the " Stars ". Your writing is a breath of fresh air ..
Yes Bob, that MSN comes up automatically on my computer when I move the mouse to the right. It's a mix of actual news, sneaky ads, and political opinion already broadcast on TV.
Our media has basically stopped telling us stories in a straight fashion.
Another beauty Hugh .... wonderful ... the genius of your storytelling makes it feel as though I am there in person ...magic !
You couldn't say anything better to a writer, Bob, than to say I made you feel as if you were there. That's what writing's supposed to be all about. Sadly, there's not much of it around now -- it's all poiticcal opinion. Which is why I started doing this.
I just love your recollections of Vietnam Hugh. You were all heroes in my eyes. Journalism at its most intrepid, fairest and best. Bravo to all of you.
I wil pas that on to Jimmy Pringle Cackles. I can't pass it on to the others who were there with us as three of the five in the office were killed in Vietnam.
They've been dead a long time.
Hugh
Thank you so much Jim and Hugh for your extraordinary courage and tenacity as journalists.
It's nice to be thanked after all these years Peter. I'' pass that onto Jimy pringle too