Philip Knightley

Philip Knightley (1929-2016) was an Australian-born investigative journalist and author, best known for exposing scandals and examining the role of war correspondents throughout history. His most influential work, "The First Casualty" (1975), chronicled how governments manipulate the media during wartime and became a definitive text on war journalism. During his career at The Sunday Times in London, Knightley played a crucial role in investigating the thalidomide scandal, which led to increased compensation for victims of the dangerous drug. He also wrote extensively about the world of espionage, producing notable works including "Philby: KGB Masterspy" and "The Second Oldest Profession." Knightley received numerous awards for his journalism, including Journalist of the Year in the British Press Awards on two occasions. His work extended beyond journalism to memoir writing, with "A Hack's Progress" (1997) providing insights into his experiences as an investigative reporter. As a member of The Sunday Times Insight team during the paper's heyday under editor Harold Evans, Knightley helped establish new standards for investigative journalism and documentary research. His legacy includes not only his published works but also his influence on subsequent generations of investigative journalists.

Readers appreciate Knightley's investigative depth and clear writing style in exposing wartime propaganda and media manipulation. His books "The First Casualty" and "The Second Oldest Profession" receive the most reader attention. Readers highlight: - Thorough research and documentation - Balanced presentation of complex topics - Skill at making dense historical material readable - Strong narrative drive in his spy and war reporting books Common criticisms: - Sometimes gets bogged down in excessive detail - Occasional repetition between chapters - Limited coverage of non-Western perspectives Ratings: Goodreads: - The First Casualty: 4.1/5 (489 ratings) - The Second Oldest Profession: 3.9/5 (156 ratings) - Australia: A Biography: 3.8/5 (92 ratings) Amazon: - The First Casualty: 4.3/5 (67 reviews) - The Second Oldest Profession: 4.1/5 (29 reviews) Multiple readers cite his work as foundational for understanding war journalism and propaganda, with one calling it "required reading for journalism students."

The First Casualty (1975) A historical examination of war correspondents and propaganda from the Crimean War to the Vietnam War.

The Second Oldest Profession (1986) A comprehensive study of worldwide intelligence agencies and espionage activities through history.

Australia: A Biography of a Nation (2000) A historical account of Australia's development from colonial settlement to modern nationhood.

The Master Spy (1988) A biography of Soviet spy Kim Philby, based on personal interviews and extensive research.

A Hack's Progress (1997) An autobiographical work detailing Knightley's career in journalism and investigative reporting.

The Life and Times of a Victorian Detective: The Career of Charles Frederick Field (2005) A biographical study of Charles Frederick Field, one of London's first detective police officers.

An Affair of State (1987) An investigation into the Profumo scandal that shook British politics in the 1960s.

The Pearl of Days: An Intimate Memoir of the Sunday Times (1986) A historical account of the Sunday Times newspaper during Knightley's tenure as a journalist.