Fantastic historical fiction based on a fascinating woman I hadn't heard of, photojournalist Dickey Chapelle. What I liked most was that this was a balanced portrayal of Chapelle, highlighting not only her good works and daring but also her tendency toward impulsive choices. Unlike most journalists, Chapelle felt she had to insert herself into the lives of her subjects to really "get the story." Often, this put her needlessly in harm's way and against direct orders from the folks in charge of her assignment. Based on journals and articles Chapelle wrote, she acknowledges when she has made a mistake and how it affected those around her. This was also a fascinating look into the military conflicts of the 1950s and 1960s.

Courageous, reckless and on a tightrope toward danger, Georgette ‘Dickey’ Meyer Chapelle was the first woman photojournalist to report what was happening in hostile areas controlled by dictators. Heavily researched with a fascinating storyline, this book follows her family, marriage and career path from 1954 to 1965.

Why war? Why can’t humans learn to get along? This troubled her and I’ve wondered the same thing. She was high spirited and thought she could travel with the military to the front lines and bring back pictures to help educate readers. She had photos of crying babies, starving children, sick families and beautiful parts of the countries taken over by armies. She was determined to help people understand how destructive war and communism was in the world.

Dickey’s life was packed with events and Erika Robuck did an exceptional job of highlighting important pieces of her career including time spent in the hot spots of Hungary, Cuba, Laos and South Vietnam. While all of these places were on-the-edge risky and unbearable, she was able to capture hard-to-get photos. Yet, not all the publications were interested.

Dickey remarked that it saddened her to see people protesting the Vietnam war efforts and said too many Americans didn’t understand how dangerous totalitarian rule was in communist countries. Her last assignment came before she hit 50 years old in 1965.

It wasn’t that long ago and many countries today are still controlled by authoritarian governments. This book made me want to find out more about her life and this time period that I thought I knew pretty well.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of August 19, 2025.

I needed this book! I needed to read a tale about a woman changing the world and changing herself along the way all the while leading with heart and a love of others. Dickey Chappelle is someone ALL women need to know about and Erika Robuck tells her story in a captivating and gripping way that makes you want to go up to a bar and buy Chappelle a drink and listen to ALL her stories and learn from her and then figure out how YOU are going to contribute to making the world a better place. This is a historical read for today. We need more stories about powerful women. My bookclub will LOVE this book and we will be discussing it for a long time. Big thanks Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley and of course Erika Robuck. It is my hope that Erica Robuck will bring forward the stories of other powerful women that we need to know more about soon! I will read them for sure.

“The Last Assignment” is a historical fiction book by Erika Robuck. I will admit, I’d never heard of Dickey Chapelle before - no reason I should’ve known about her, but wow do I wish I had heard of her before reading this book. Ms. Chapelle lead a very interesting life - from covering the end of WWII through conflicts in Europe to going to Cuba to cover the rebels (Castro brothers & Che) to reporting and photographing the early(ish) years of the Vietnam War. Ms. Chapelle was a correspondent, photographer and writer - not always publishing her work (due to her editors thinking some of her photos were too graphic - though sometimes the military did keep her photos for their records). This book was well written - engaging from about the beginning - and well researched - I did like where Ms. Robuck explained where she condensed things, changed timelines for a better fit, and gave her resources. I’ve recommended this book already to two people. If you liked “The Women” (Kristin Hannah’s book), you may want to read this one as a companion book (though the two books are very different in what they cover). A strong recommend to read from me.

Dickey Chapelle, a female photojournalist, traveled to dangerous war zones, Hungary and Cuba during violent revolutions, and spent several weeks in the notorious Fo prison in Hungary. She trained with Marines, jumped out of planes, and spent weeks with troops as they navigated the frontline.
She paused to take photos and tell the stories of violence, hunger, and cruel injustices. Obsessed and driven to show what was happening on the front lines, Dickey risked her life many times over.

I recommend this book for historical fiction and photographers who are interested in learning about photojournalism from the perspective of one of the baddest photographers to go into war zones. There were many times during this book that I felt on the edge of moral peril, frightened for Dickey and her compatriots. Her time in Fo prison in Hungary was particularly unsettling and it stayed with her the rest of her life. This novel is action-packed and well-researched, it gives Dickey Chapelle the amazing story she would have loved. If you read The Women by Kristen Hannah, this novel needs to go on your TBR.

Thank you Sourcebooks, Netgalley, and Erika Robuck for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Erika Robuck’s The Last Assignment throws you right into the world of Georgette “Dickey” Chapelle, a war correspondent who made a habit of running toward danger when everyone else turned back. Drawing from Chapelle’s real-life adventures, the novel follows her from bending the rules at Iwo Jima to risking everything in Soviet prison camps and the turmoil of revolution-era Hungary. Each page pulses with urgency—Dickey’s determination to reveal the real cost of war to America, and her refusal to let anyone else define her story.

Dickey commands the center of the story: she’s stubborn, brilliant, and impossible to ignore. Robuck surrounds her with soldiers, journalists, and refugees, each of whom reveals a different side of war’s impact. The novel digs into what it means to witness conflict when the price is your own peace of mind, and what it costs to chase the truth through heartbreak and danger. The history in these pages feels lived-in and immediate, and Dickey herself is as complex as she is courageous. Robuck’s prose is as striking as the photographs her heroine brings home, and the emotional impact lingers long after the last page.

Robuck mixes vivid storytelling with Dickey’s own letters and dispatches, pulling readers into both the chaos of battle and the quiet that follows. The writing is sharp, cinematic, and emotionally raw—never letting you forget what’s at stake. The relentless pace and heavy subject matter can feel overwhelming at times, and the shifts between traditional narrative and letters might jolt some readers out of the story. Still, The Last Assignment is an honest, unvarnished look at a woman who changed war reporting forever—a novel that works as both a gripping story and a celebration of a life lived outside the lines.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

For anyone drawn to stories of bravery, truth, and the women history almost forgot, this one’s not to be missed.

Fact-based Fiction about Dickey Chapelle. Dickey Chapelle was a photo journalist and combat correspondent. She braved battles in the front line and was a maverick for female correspondents. The subject was interesting, but the writing was not to my taste. I felt it was jagged and didn’t flow seamlessly. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

4.5 stars. This novel is an epic journey through the all-too-short life of Georgette “Dickey” Chapelle, a war correspondent and photographer. Through Dickey’s eyes we experience tumultuous moments in Hungary, Cuba, and Vietnam in the mid 1900’s. We get to see multiple perspectives of these difficult times and receive a history lesson in the process. Erika writes in a way that gives readers a front row view of the heroic and brave ways of Dickey Chapelle as she brings the realities of war happening across the world to the people of America through the photographs she often risked her life to take. Her dream is that by sharing these stories, someday the world will realize that war is not the answer to peace. You can see clearly how much research was done to bring Dickey’s story to light. What a truly fascinating, unique person Dickey was and I appreciate this look into the life of such a strong, compelling, inspiring woman.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Mmmmmm, I wish I had really positive things to say about The Last Assignment because I’ve enjoyed a couple of Erika Robuck’s other books, but honestly I just found it kind of boring and Dickey was hard to connect with :(
I read about a third of this before deciding to move on.

Erika Robuck has written a really fascinating historical fiction story about the real-life war correspondent and photojournalist Dickey Chappelle. Dickey was a woman who seemed unphased by risk, and she was driven by her passion to show real-life stories with her photos. She embedded herself in Iwo Jima, Cuba, Vietnam, Hungary, and more. Her relentless drive was admirable and I enjoyed getting to learn more about her and her accomplishments.

Thank you to Ericka, the publisher, and also to Netgalley for the ARC. This was a great read and from a perspective that I had never actually thought about. Erica has a way of telling historical fiction in such a realistic way that the reader feels as if they experienced it themselves. I had not really heard of this person prior to reading this novel but absolutely dwelled more into her story after finishing the novel. Dickey Chappelle was definitely a brave journalist that no one takes the time to teach. I love Ericka’s novels and cannot wait to see what she has in store for readers next. I love that she focuses on history aspects that no one else has seemed to touch.

One reason I love historical fiction is that authors introduce me to brave real-life women.

Born Georgette Louise Meyer, she claimed the name “Dickey” because her hero was polar explorer Admiral Richard Byrd whose nickname was Dickey. After her divorce, she elected to keep Chapelle and was known as Georgette “Dickey” Chapelle. To her colleagues and friends, she was Dickey Chapelle.

“As a gal who was ignored, shushed, and talked over most of her life,” Dickey was driven to show the world the realities of war, and her lifelong goal was to “take a picture to end all wars.”

Dickey has a unique ability to handle adversity and to press forward despite the challenges, hardships, fear, or danger. She was never meant to have a desk job and detests bureaucracy. She is a loyal friend who loves freedom, photography, travel, exploring new locations (especially warm and tropical ones), her partnership with the military, reporting from war zones, and Vietnam.

“If I lose my life taking photos to help those in desperate need that’s no tragedy. That’s triumph. If I don’t take my last breath in a battle zone, I haven’t lived my vocation.”

“It’s my calling. I must use my gifts of curiosity, courage, and access to the inner light to go to the darkest places and expose what happens there…I have to serve as an interpreter of violence. Find it, expose it, exorcise it…I am called to expose darkness for the world to see.”

A fun literary fact: Dickey was close friends with James Michner and his wife, and Michner was one of her greatest supporters.

The Last Assignment is not always an easy or comfortable read (war content), but Dickey is an extraordinary person.

Thanks #Netgalley @sourcebooks #sourcebookslandmark for a complimentary eARC of #TheLastAssignment upon my request. All opinions are my own.

When one thinks of historical fiction, national bestselling author Erika Robuck immediately comes to mind. Her latest book, The Last Assignment, chronicles the life and times of trailblazer Dickey Chapelle. Born Georgette Meyer at a time when women were expected to be feminine and hold traditional women’s roles, Dickey (as Georgette prefers to be called as an homage to her hero Admiral Richard “Dick” Byrd) challenges those expectations. She leaves MIT and her full scholarship to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. When her poor eyesight prevents her from flying, Dickey pursues her other passion, reporting on pilots. As a credentialed war correspondent, it was 1945 when she finally got a chance to cover combat. The reader is granted the opportunity to not only understand her personal and family life, but to follow Dickey from conflict to conflict, including the many risks she takes as she tries to capture that one elusive photo that will raise awareness and end all wars. From her childhood home in Wisconsin to a communist prison in Hungary and the conflicts and wars in between and after, the reader gains insight into how she thinks and what drives her. With just the right amount of history and fiction, The Last Assignment is a fascinating read. A book that I will be recommending to my book club.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this advance reader’s copy. Planned publication date 19 August 2025

I would like to thank Net Galley and Landmark for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I am still trying to catch my breath after finishing this book.I had never heard of Dicky Chapelle before I heard of this book. Last year I did 2 presentations for camera club on Women Photographers. I did extensive research and her name never came up! I am doing part 3 in November and she will be prominently featured. I am still not sure why she isn't more well known, but I am so glad that I found out about this woman of talent and courage. I really enjoyed this book. It is Historical Fiction, so some things ( conversations etc) were invented by the author. The book ,however, is enthralling and captivating. It tells the story of Dickey Chapelle from the mid 50's on. Her time in WW2 are noted, but it does not focus on that time frame. We see her in Hungary , in a Communist prison, in Cuba, with Castro and in Vietnam, where she went 5 times and took countless picture. It gives a look into her private life as well, with a ( soon to be ex)husband, mother, aunts and a brother. We get to know her as a person, and understand, at least in part, what made her tick. Thank you again for this book.

I’ve read many historical fiction novels, but none have made me mourn a character more than Erika Robuck’s The Last Assignment. Based on the life of Dickey Chapelle, an award-winning female war correspondent, the novel follows her through multiple wars, imprisonment, and grief, as well as exciting adventures and celebrations.

Made of stern stuff, Dickey willingly, and often happily, placed herself in harm's way to get the picture “to help end all wars.” A true pioneer, Dickey Chapelle deserves to be celebrated for her courage, tenacity, and unending hope for mankind. Erika Robuck portrays Dickey in a light that makes the reader marvel at her strength and want to sit and have a cup of coffee with Dickey, if only to listen to her war stories. Robuck writes in such a way that her respect and awe of Dickey are palpable. Her descriptive language paints a picture that feels real and raw.

Read this book. It’s a page-turner that will keep you in suspense and tug at your heartstrings for this unlikely heroine.

Meticulously researched, Erick Robuck paints a picture of the life of Dickey Chapell, photojournalist who covered seven wars and conflicts. Trained with the marines, Dickey was brave, adventurous and courageous, parachuting out of planes into war zones to get the pictures that would bring the atrocities of war to the public. Amazing woman that I had not heard of before reading this book.

I loved learning about Dickie Chapelle. We all need to hear the story of this fearless woman. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

Really incredible life story Dickey Chapelle lived. She broke so many barriers and didn’t take no for an answer even when not the wisest of choices, but never out of arrogance. Her bravery and determination was inspiring, and to have been present at so many conflicts to report it photograph on, is pretty amazing.

I enjoyed her sense of humor and deflection in the book, as well as her friendship and family relationships. The book itself I had a little of a hard time stay engaged with. I kind of felt a little like I was on the outside looking in so it started dragging a little. But overall tons of great information on a woman I’ve unfortunately never heard of before now. I’m glad I now know her story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

One of my fav authors has written a spectacular histfic biographical story about Dickey Chappelle, famed photojournalist from WWII until her death during the Vietnam War. While I had read about the brilliant gutsy Chappelle before, this gripping tale gave new fascinating insight into her life and her award-winning work. A must-read for those who love books about little-known women who changed the world!

I’m so sad that I haven’t read this author before. She was absolutely marvelous! Loved every page! It was fantastic,