I cannot stop thinking about this book. I had never heard of Dickey Chapelle. This is shame, because, like her, I grew up in Milwaukee.

Dickey was an award-winning war correspondent and photojournalist whose career began in WWII and ended in Vietnam. She was smart, brave, and fearless. While on assignment in a war zone, she embedded herself with soldiers, civilians, and rebels. She wanted her photos to show the human side of war, its poverty and injustice. The sense of place in this book is vivid. I felt I was with Dickey whether she was trekking through mud and rain with fatigued soldiers, sharing meals with starving families, or running guns with rebel fighters.

Thank you, Erika Robuck, for writing the story of this amazing woman. Thank you also, for sharing Dickey's photos on your Last Assignment interest board on Pinterest.

I am grateful to Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. I know my book club will want to read it, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC. Georgette "Dickey" Meyer Chappelle was a combat photographer that showed the world the images of 7 wars over 5 years. Starting at the age of 19, she was quickly brought into the folds of troupes by her bravery and her longing to do what is right. She learned to paratroop behind enemy lines (first woman photographer to do so), she earned badges from all the military groups (US or not) she was associated with, and she was once Castro's confidante before he turned into the terror he became. Though she was involved in more than 7 wars, she started in WW2 and ended in Vietnam with the Hungary Revolution, Cuban Revolution, and others thrown in the middle. She not only documented the savagery of war, she was also considered a contact for classified information for the US Government. One of her quotes in her book that stuck out to me was "We can stop world war by reconciling in our own little lives." After dodging death for over two decades on the battlefield, she died in South Vietnam at the age of 46, doing what she loved best.

Most know I love reading fiction about real people. This woman was fascinating and Robuck did an amazing job bringing light to someone so important. The book was less about actual combat and more about the people she walked alongside with and what they were fighting for. #TheLastAssignment #ErikaRobuck #SourceBooks #Landmark #Aug2025

I knew nothing about Dickey Chapelle, a woman photojournalist who was a war correspondent who covered many wars. I can’t imagine having the unique opportunity to be one of the first women correspondents to cover World War II, Korean, Vietnam, among others. She worked for National Geographic. She was fearless.
She led an extraordinary life and captured some amazing photos anywhere from the front line to photos of those fighting and trying to survive daily. She also covered the civilians caught in the middle of war.
All the chapters of this book are detailed and very interesting. From her relationship with Fidel Castro, to the soldiers who surrounded her. She was not afraid to be in the trenches, and sadly died doing what she loved.
Thank you to the Author for sharing the story of this fierce woman. I love historical fiction, because many times it teaches me about someone who is little known to me.
Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark, for the gifted ARC.

I had never heard of Dickey Chapelle before reading this new book by Erika Robuck. What an amazing, strong woman who was a trailblazer for women everywhere. The author brought Dickey to life for me in vivid color. When she was at the Austria Hungary border, I could feel the cold seeping into my bones. This book made me want to find out more about Dickey and see her photographs. We are so lucky that she decided to leave her photos at the University of Wisconsin for posterity. Some of her pictures were mind blowing to me and brough to life the cruelties of war. I very highly recommend this book.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are entirely my own.

What an amazing life story and brilliantly told by Erika Robuck! Dickey Chapelle was a pioneer in the photo journalism field and I am so grateful to learn about her. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read the ARC. It has paved the way for me to now delve into Erika Robuck's backlist.

This novel tells the story of real-life award-winning photojournalist Georgette “Dickey” Chapelle. Dickey’s life goal is to take a photo that will end all wars, and in her quest to do that she witnesses first-hand seven conflicts. She evades death on Iwo Jima, survives prison in Hungary, marches alongside Fidel Castro’s men in Cuba, and finds peace amid war in Vietnam.

Adventurous and fast-paced, Robuck has brought this historical figure back to life. Her tribute to Dickey Chapelle will bring this heroic woman’s story to generations who have never heard of her. There is so much fascinating history in these pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

The Last Assignment brings to light a trailblazing woman photojournalist known for her work as a war correspondent from WWII through the Vietnam War – Georgette Meyer Chapelle, known professionally as Dickey Chapelle. She worked for major periodicals and captured the raw, human side of war with remarkable clarity.

The story begins with her failing marriage and the backstories of how she lost her previous job and struggled to return to work she loved the most.

The pace quickens when she convinces her boss, Leo Cherne of Life and the IRC, to send her to Hungary to cover the 1956 uprising. In Vienna, she meets with Dr. Faust to expedite the delivering of antibiotics for refugees, even as the window for safe passage closes rapidly.

Leo warns her not to cross the Hungarian border illegally - something she is notorious for doing – and reminds her to report to RIA in New York on December 10 for debriefing. As other war correspondents begin to leave, having gathered enough material, Dickey can’t understand how that could possibly be enough.

Posing as part of a humanitarian mission, she throws herself into the rescue efforts, often caring more about others than her own safety. Her courage is chilling at times – brought to life through gripping writing that creates intense, suspenseful moments.

On December 5, Dickey is reported to have crossed the border illegally and is arrested.

Upon her return to the United States – having missed her assigned debrief date - she finds a new job at Reader’s Digest. Their next assignment takes her to Cuba, where she covers the rebels in the Sierra Maestra. There, she witnesses the revolution of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara against Batista’s regime.

By photographing people’s struggle and getting to know some of the fighters - including children – she begins to understand why so many are willing to risk their lives. When oppression is all you’ve ever known, it can feel like you have nothing to lose.

Fidel Castro’s victory over Batista is short-lived in her eyes. On a return visit, she witnesses growing anti-American sentiment. Once embraced in Cuba, she now finds herself treated as an outcast.

In 1961, her piece on Laos – where she once again risked her life - is rejected by Reader’s Digest for being too critical of the government. She refuses to soften the truth, and as a result, her relationship with the publication continues to deteriorate.

After completing various assignments, her heart remains in South Vietnam, where she returns for her final mission.

The character-development of the real-life heroine shines through as she treks through war zones, constantly placing herself in danger. Her story highlights the unspoken bond and mutual understanding among war correspondents who feel deeply called to their work.

The book is portrays the camaraderie of combat zones realistically: relying on one, appreciating every meal, drink and sunrise as if it might be the last.

The historical background is vividly rendered - often revealed through action or dialogue - making for an engaging and fast-paced read. The book touches on many fascinating faucets of history, including the personal drive of a woman determine to pursue her calling in a male-dominated field.

The Last Assignment is an engrossing and powerful account of a pioneering woman in journalism who risked everything - her life and her career – to uncover the truth. Through her photojournalism, she created “a quilt of pictures. A legacy. A requiem.”

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Erika Robuck has a talent for bringing people and places to life on the page. For that reason, even though I'd never heard of Dickey Chapelle before, I wanted to read this book. I was not disappointed. Dickey was incredibly courageous (at times almost bordering on reckless), loyal, and passionate when she devoted herself to a cause. Her fascinating life was filled with a lot of stress and tragedy, though, as she was a war correspondent with the goal of taking a photo that would end wars. I appreciated the author's notes at the end and did look up the archive of Dickey's photos.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and to NetGalley for the early read.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Whether you've heard of Dickey Chapelle or not (I certainly hadn't), you absolutely must read The Last Assignment. One of the things that I love about historical fiction is getting to learn about so many interesting historical figures that I never would have known about otherwise. Dickey Chapelle is perhaps one of the most interesting that I've read about to-date. A female war photographer who thrived on putting herself in the most dangerous situations possible, Dickey was one-of-a-kind. It was thrilling to read about all of her adventures and achievements, and I highly recommend The Last Assignment!

As a journalist, I’m glad to see females being brought to the forefront for their bravery, sacrifice and dedication to their jobs- whether written or photographically.

I absolutely loved The Last Assignment; I read it on the heels of The Women- which I also enjoyed.

Dickey was a fascinating character, despite her flaws. But it was her flaws that I think made her relatable.

A thrill for all lovers of drama, the book opens with a dive into Dickey’s marital troubles as she attempts to regain her military accreditation. From the beginning, you can’t help but be wowed by Dickey’s very independent and driven character. Dickey then embarks on a mission to show Americans the realities of working in a refugee rescue through her lens. Follow Dickey to Hungary, Cuba, and Vietnam as she embarks on dangerous assignments. Five stars!

The Last Assignment by Erika Robuck ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

Sourcebooks Landmark
Pub Date: 8-19-25

Thank you @netgalley, @bookmarked, and @erobuckauthor for the opportunity to read this eARC

"Will today be the day I make the picture to end all wars? It’s a day of high color, saturated. The world looks like a poem. I feel both here and in a dream. On earth and in heaven."

I’ve been hooked by the idea of “War Journo Dames” ever since reading Kim Fay's Kate & Frida, so when I heard about The Last Assignment, I knew I had to learn about Dickey Chapelle!

This work of biographical fiction definitely has me wanting to know more of Dickey's story and I've already added two of the suggestions for further reading to my TBR.

The sense of place is incredibly vivid - from a Hungarian prison to revolutionary Cuba to the villages of Vietnam. What a life - certainly full of the horrors of war, but also filled with adventure, camaraderie, and love.

"I feel ready to again pick up my camera and find the places and the people in the world who need light. 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 used to think of myself as a girl reporter, then a war correspondent. Now, however, I see I have to serve as an interpreter of violence. Find it, expose it, name it, exorcise it. That is my task, and I’m ready for my next mission."

Before reading the description of The Last Assignment, I’d never heard of Dickey Chapelle. But thanks to Ericka Robuck’s talent for finding and telling the stories of people that sometimes slip through the cracks of history, I was able to meet and get to know a gifted photojournalist and war correspondent who was a fierce proponent of justice and an all-around bad ass.

Chapelle’s defiant and sometimes reckless passion frequently put her at odds with so many of her friends, family, and colleagues, but it also reminded readers that there are people in the world committed to being helpers no matter what the personal cost. Maybe she didn’t get it right one hundred percent of the time, but no one could say Dickey wasn’t one hundred and fifty percent sincere in her efforts and beliefs.

I especially loved the way Robuck wove the stories of other strong women into Dickey’s story. Learning about Las Marianas and the female contingent of the Sea Swallows was eye-opening. To see their commitment to their cause, their courage in the face of insurmountable danger was humbling. More people need to know about these remarkable women, and Robuck’s novel has helped ensure their legacy is lasting.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In bringing to life Georgette ‘Dickey’ Chapelle’s story, author Erika Robuck explores the cost of war.

Dickey was a freelance photojournalist sent to capture the revolutions in Hungary and Cuba and the war in Vietnam. You’ll want to save this compelling story to your ‘must-read’ list because it’s unique historical fiction about the first female war correspondent to die in combat - a trailblazing civilian who was buried with full military honors. Aren’t you curious about what she did that the US Army bestowed these honors on her? Even if this question doesn't pique your interest, perhaps you'll want to see how one of the most unforgiving situations in history fostered the success and transformation of an ordinary woman.

As a voracious reader of historical fiction, I appreciated that Robuck showed me different aspects and locations of wartime conflict. She captured the delicate balance between raw emotions, fascinating settings, and unforgettable characters while honoring the bravery of a woman whose service was overlooked.

By inserting her characters into intense action, allowing them to experience hardship and then granting them the ability to capture it to show those on the sidelines, Robuck exposes the human side of history for her readers. This unique lens captures the resilience of the human spirit and the power of bravery in the face of evil.

If you enjoy intelligence history, trailblazing women in the shadows of war, epistolary format alternating with prose, and are curious about the courage bolstered and witnessed on the front lines, this one is for you!

I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.