The ups and downs of a journalist’s life, the highs and lows, the ambition and the personal cost – all are covered in this fascinating memoir by Yugoslav born Dusko Doder. Emigrating to the US in 1956 he was determined to make his mark as a top journalist, and he did, becoming foreign correspondent for the Washington Post. And then it all came crashing down. The book is a really interesting account of a journalistic career, a glimpse into a complicated and intense world. Ambition at the expense of personal relationships, dedication to telling the truth, acceptance and clear-headedness about his own failings – Doder is consistently open, honest and insightful. I found it a compelling read and very much enjoyed it.

The Inconvenient Journalist by Dusko Doner with Louise Branson
This book was a pleasure to read. Dusko was born and raised in Yugoslavia and without his father’s blessing moved to the US to strive for his dream of becoming a world known journalist for a prestigious newspaper. The story consists of two parts both equally interesting: (1) his striving to reach his dream while ignoring and watching his home life crumble and (2) a plot by the CIA to discredit him for announcing to the world the death of Yuri Andropov, The General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union before the CIA knew it.
His journalistic career was helped by his lifelong friend Clyde Farnsworth also an international journalist. Doder is able to get an assignment as the UPI reporter in the Moscow bureau. Fluent in Russian, he like many before and after learns that sources are not easy to find that will discuss the goings on inside the Kremlin. He works long hours and drinks large quantities of vodka building up his sources. Although he is rejected by The New York Times for embarrassing Harrison Salisbury; The Times world leader in everything in Soviet Politics (who did not speak Russian) he moves to the Washington Post at the time The Post in the minor league. Due to the Watergate Affair the Post gains prestige and he is able to assist this with his reporting from Moscow. Including his worldwide scoop of the death of Andropov before the US Intelligence community was aware of this.
His stories of how he gathers news in Russia is very interesting while at the same time he is now very honest about his work destroyed his marriage and relationship with his son.
The CIA never forgets and concocts a story with Time Magazine that Doder must surely be a spy for the Soviets. The Post tries to have it both ways and Doder leaves The Post.
Along with his second wife, a journalist and co-author of this book, Louise Branson they survive financial distress defending Doder’s name and finally succeed in winning the case against Time. After leaving The Post he and Louise work in China and were eye-witnesses to the Tiananmen Uprising and also to the Yugoslavian breakup.
Each of these last two stories I wish were covered more in the book. Nevertheless, this is a book I heartily recommend for those interested in journalism under difficult conditions.