What do you think?
Rate this book
No, I Don't Get Danger Money: Confessions of an Accidental War Correspondent
A no-holds-barred account of what it was really like to cover some of the most dangerous and extraordinary moments in recent history
'I woke up every day expecting to fall asleep in a different country. A blur of breaking news, airports, body armour, border crossings and bomb shelters. And wads of foreign cash.
We were charging on adrenaline and there was no place we wouldn't have gone.
Okay, except Russia. But only because the President's not my biggest fan.
I didn't get paid danger money. I would have done it all for free.'
A world away from the Waikato farm she grew up on, Lisette Reymer suddenly found herself reporting from one of the most dangerous places on earth. And she kept going back.
Driven by a desire to tell people's stories, wherever they are; the right stories, not the easy ones - Lisette's time as Europe Correspondent coincided with some of the biggest global headlines in decades.
From inside Ukraine to the Queen's death, the war between Israel and Gaza, Donald Trump's indictment, the King's coronation, the region's deadliest natural disaster in a century, the Tokyo Olympics, the hunger crisis in Ethiopia and a revolving door of UK prime ministers; she has seen and done more in three years than many journalists do in a lifetime.
This is a funny, brutally honest account of what it was really like to cover some of the most perilous and extraordinary moments in recent history.
Take your seat. It's in the front row.
'I woke up every day expecting to fall asleep in a different country. A blur of breaking news, airports, body armour, border crossings and bomb shelters. And wads of foreign cash.
We were charging on adrenaline and there was no place we wouldn't have gone.
Okay, except Russia. But only because the President's not my biggest fan.
I didn't get paid danger money. I would have done it all for free.'
A world away from the Waikato farm she grew up on, Lisette Reymer suddenly found herself reporting from one of the most dangerous places on earth. And she kept going back.
Driven by a desire to tell people's stories, wherever they are; the right stories, not the easy ones - Lisette's time as Europe Correspondent coincided with some of the biggest global headlines in decades.
From inside Ukraine to the Queen's death, the war between Israel and Gaza, Donald Trump's indictment, the King's coronation, the region's deadliest natural disaster in a century, the Tokyo Olympics, the hunger crisis in Ethiopia and a revolving door of UK prime ministers; she has seen and done more in three years than many journalists do in a lifetime.
This is a funny, brutally honest account of what it was really like to cover some of the most perilous and extraordinary moments in recent history.
Take your seat. It's in the front row.
- GenresNonfiction
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2025
14 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Lisette Reymer
1 book1 followerLisette Reymer now works at Stuff as Senior Journalist - International and National Affairs.
Lisette's work in Ukraine saw her win won Reporter of the Year at the NZTV awards for 2024; Best Reporter at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards as well as Best Coverage of a Major News Event.
Lisette's work in Ukraine saw her win won Reporter of the Year at the NZTV awards for 2024; Best Reporter at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards as well as Best Coverage of a Major News Event.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 7, 2025
Read the acknowledgements page. Rated it 5 stars. IYKYK
August 13, 2025
What a great read & interesting life Lisette has had so far! What a cool kiwi 🙃
September 3, 2025
Absolutely tore through this book! What an amazing deep dive into the life (off-camera) of a news correspondent. I'm equally in awe and envious of Lisette's expeditions to report on some of the biggest historical news events over the past 5 years - from the death of the Queen, to the war in Ukraine. This book is written like a novel, full of laughs but also lots of grief. This book is an absolute must-read!
August 14, 2025
Loved this book, fantastic read
August 2, 2025
3.5 stars but rounding up.
This was an interesting read about some key history-making moments of recent years told through the perspective of a NZ foreign correspondent. This offered a unique behind the lens look at what goes on behind the TV bulletin especially in high-stakes places like war-torn or natural disasters-stricken places and the chaos that can go on to get the news bulletin out live on air.
Where I struggled with this book was in some parts, it was quite repetitive and drawn out. There was only so many times I needed or wanted to read about booking flights etc. So sometimes it was quite a boring read. But mostly it was an interesting read despite that. Worth a read if journalism or history are your interests.
This was an interesting read about some key history-making moments of recent years told through the perspective of a NZ foreign correspondent. This offered a unique behind the lens look at what goes on behind the TV bulletin especially in high-stakes places like war-torn or natural disasters-stricken places and the chaos that can go on to get the news bulletin out live on air.
Where I struggled with this book was in some parts, it was quite repetitive and drawn out. There was only so many times I needed or wanted to read about booking flights etc. So sometimes it was quite a boring read. But mostly it was an interesting read despite that. Worth a read if journalism or history are your interests.
August 21, 2025
I knew going in that I would love it - as I am huge fan of Lisette's news coverage. But oh-my-god was this book incredible. I didn't want to put it down. Perfect mix of funny memories, harrowing details and devastating stories. Loved every page.
June 17, 2025
superb.
July 20, 2025
what a amazing book and life. easy to read. such a brave young woman
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews