Most journalists are willing to endure the sacrifices of the job – mediocre pay, deadline stress, intrusions into personal life among them – because they adore being a conduit between events and the public. Foreign correspondents take this one step further. Driven by everything from a fascination with the country to political principles to naked journalistic ambition, they want not only to report, but to witness events. The sacrifices? Unless it’s a one-time shot to cover the Olympics, they all go knowing their life is at risk.

Journalist Ian Stewart always knew that death would look him in the eye every day when, at 32, he left Toronto for the Ivory Coast to became West Africa bureau chief for the Associated Press. Like most journalists, he hoped that some combination of luck, providence, and street smarts would watch over him. On Jan. 10, 1999, his luck ran out. He and two colleagues were ambushed driving through the streets of Freetown, Sierre Leone. A bullet lodged in the back of his brain, and he was airlifted to a hospital in London. His parents were told he had a 20-40 % chance of surviving brain surgery.

Freetown Ambush showcases Stewart’s journalistic talents – rich dialogue, attention to detail, and good storytelling skills pull the reader in from the first chapter. Stewart also offers some stinging insights into African politics and the gruesome realities of life in wartime. The second half of the book covers the surgery and Stewart’s recovery, both physical and emotional, including a candid account of the therapy he underwent. Though this section is quite gripping, one wishes Stewart had exploited the dramatic potential in the life-threatening operation.

Anyone who loves a good adventure and human interest story should enjoy Freetown Ambush, but the book’s most captive audience will consist of journalists, or those who want to understand what makes so many journalists tick. Stewart writes, “I was an adrenaline junkie getting high on the thrill of going to war zones and I didn’t want anybody else taking my fix. Wars were mine; I was guarding them like a heroin addict protecting my stash.” All things considered, he’s damn lucky to be alive.