Combat, sieges, nomads, and beer— the true adventures of a TV correspondent and a warrior queen
Gayle Young was a novice broadcast journalist when she was catapulted into the position of CNN Cairo bureau chief in the early 1990s; Zenobia was the same age when she seized a third of the Roman Empire around 270 AD. One made history and the other reported on history in the making. But both young women faced violent conflicts and political intrigue, and experienced triumphs and defeats. They also shared a love for overly-emotional camels, nomadic lifestyles, dabbling in religions, and having a beer with the guys. With charm and insight, Young seamlessly weaves together their life trajectories to explore how ambition, gender politics, and warfare in antiquity compare with the same issues she encountered in the modern world.
As an Emmy award-winning CNN correspondent, Young covered post-war Iraq, dystopian Somalia, and Kinshasa under siege. She experienced wars, famines, and riots; witnessed executions; and helped tend to bodies recovered from disaster zones. Her adventures come alive with pathos and humor. She may have worn a bulletproof vest and dived for cover, but she also spent time with orphans, shopkeepers, archeologists, and impoverished families. Her award-winning CNN report on female circumcision in Egypt was so shocking that it spurred legislation to end the practice.
Zenobia, too, was a complex and ambitious woman who seized one-third of the Roman Empire in her early 30s. Young recounts the queen’s life in vivid detail - her sexual peculiarities, love of hunting and riding, and concern for her children. Both women ended their careers in Rome, defeated but resilient. And both went on to forge new lives.
This unique memoir recounts how two women across centuries took risks and made their marks on the world. Inspirational, entertaining, and informative, Update: Reporting from an Ancient Land is a great read for anyone who enjoys adventures for the ages.
Through the lens of our shared experiences, I discovered how warfare, ambition, and the perceptions of women in antiquity compare with the world today. Over time, I also learned truths about myself.
This is the story of us both
Gayle Young
Early Reviews
“A moving, humorous, and beautifully written memoir about being a CNN foreign correspondent in the Middle East. Melding memoir with history, Young has created a unique and timely work.”
— Caryle Murphy, Pulitzer Prize winning reporter, The Washington Post
“A wild ride, spanning both millennia and some of the most important stories of our time. This book is exceptional not just for its story, but its energy and clarity. Rarely do we get such a wise, inside perspective on the machinations of history.”
—Michael J. Henry, Executive Director and Co-founder of Lighthouse Writers Workshop
“Witty, wise, and brimming with insight, Young’s memoir is a story of war, womanhood, ambition, and identity—and the surprising ways history can reach across time to illuminate our present. Perfect for readers who love bold women and the messy, meaningful work of making your mark on the world.”
—Carrie Klewin Lawrence, author of Origin Story
