I wrote in the book very specifically what I wanted to write about, period, and left it at.

Hair is also a problem. I remember once, when I was reporting from Beirut at the height of the civil war, someone wrote in to the BBC complaining about my appearance.

I've always wanted to do a period piece.

I'd pretty much given up hope of being published, so I just wrote the book I wanted to read.

Up until about 12 years ago we never, ever, wore flak jacket or helmets but now the nastiness has got worse.

I keep telling myself to calm down, to take less of an interest in things and not to get so excited, but I still care a lot about liberty, freedom of speech and expression, and fairness in journalism.