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,

I fell in love with Erika Robuck’s writing several years ago after reading her historical fiction novel “Call Me Zelda,” so I jumped at the chance to review an ARC of her latest novel, “The Last Assignment, A Novel of Dickey Chapelle.” The book focuses on Dickey Chapelle, a female war correspondent who covered such diverse events as Iwo Jima in World War II, the Hungarian Revolution (where she was imprisoned), Castro and his revolutionaries in Cuba, the Anti-Castro Cubans in Miami, and Vietnam on multiple occasions, to name a few. In all her activities she became embedded in the story, becoming a part of it rather than a mere observer.

Erika Robuck brings to life the vibrant personality of Dickey Chapelle, shedding a light on this little known historical figure. In addition, her deft descriptions of time and place draws the reader into the story, making them feel as if they walk in Dickey Chapelle’s combat books.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction which focuses on little known historical figures. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I knew that Dickey Chappelle was a photographer in various wars, but that was it. This awe-inspiring historical fiction about Dickey and her journey through the decades and numerous war conflicts enlightened me to her contributions to the world. She was beyond brave and took on assignments in Hungary, Cuba, Vietnam, and other locations around the world to shed light on the human aspect and toll by sharing her photographs and articles. The US Marines trained her and they thought of her as one of their own. Dickey learned how to parachute and did so into other countries with the military. Her stories and focus were on the people who were displaced, hurt, taken advantage of, and persecuted by aggressors. The village and its people of Bing Hung in Vietnam stole her heart and she always wanted to go back and settle there. She followed her calling of photography at the cost of having her own family and partner. She could not sit still and stay state-side for long. Because of her bravery, she won over the skeptical men and they learned to trust and support her in the assignments.
The author note explains what was accurate and what facts she needed to adjust for the sake of the story. I think the adjustments added to the plot line and did not diminish all of Dickey's outstanding accomplishments. The author's descriptions of locations from the Hungarian prison to tropical Cuba and Vietnam brought you into the story so well. You could picture Dickey in all of these locations and feel her anxiety or calm. This was a fabulous biographical historical fiction that I would highly recommend!
#TheLastAssignment #NetGalley
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

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