The Ultimate Protest

“With the publication of The Ultimate Protest: Malcolm W. Browne, Thich Quang Duc, and the News Photograph That Stunned the World, Ray E. Boomhower examines how the most unlikely of war correspondents, Malcolm W. Browne . . . became the only Western reporter to capture Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc’s horrific self-immolation on June 11, 1963. Quang Duc made his ultimate sacrifice to protest the perceived anti-Buddhist policies of the Catholic-dominated administration of South Vietnam’s president Ngo Dinh Diem. Impressively well-written, exceptionally informative, thoroughly ‘reader-friendly’ in organization and presentation, The Ultimate Protest is an invaluable and extraordinary contribution to the growing library of Vietnam War histories and biographies.”

“Malcolm Browne, the first and longest-serving American correspondent in Vietnam, was long overshadowed by the better-known David Halberstam and Neil Sheehan. But Ray Boomhower’s new book finally helps redress the balance. The Ultimate Protest is an engrossing read for anyone interested in how the United States got itself involved in Indochina despite clear warnings by its best journalists who found themselves labeled as ‘enemy agents’ for reporting the truth.”

"Malcolm Browne was everything a great reporter should be—intrepid, independent, insightful, and ultimately a bit wistful about the human condition. Ray Boomhower has given Malcolm the fine biography he deserved."

"Elegantly written, deeply researched, and fast paced, The Ultimate Protest shines an overdue light on the life and times of one of the first journalists to report critically on America's misadventure in Vietnam and the challenge of gathering news in the face of government evasions and lies—a challenge to reporters as relevant today as it was then. For anyone seeking a better understanding of how great journalism is practiced, this book is must-read."

"Ray Boomhower paints a fresh and vivid portrait of one of America's most accomplished war correspondents. With meticulous attention to detail, The Ultimate Protest deftly captures the dilemmas that faced journalists during the Vietnam War—and that continue to face reporters in more recent times."

"Boomhower conveys the breadth and depth of an amazing journalist's career and its impact in bearing witness to the Vietnam War. The book serves as a model for future journalists as he balances viewpoints to form a well-rounded picture of Browne and his work."