Irene Corbally Kuhn

Irene Corbally Kuhn's 1938 memoir, Assigned to Adventure, is an intriguing and colorful account of her globetrotting exploits as a reporter during the 1920s-1930s heyday of print journalism. There is a distinct immediacy in her writing style which immerses the reader in the various locales and events; in particular, the descriptions of Paris and Shanghai are wonderfully evocative of the era, as are her fond remebrances of the energy, excitement, and cacaphony that characterized the city show more rooms of the New York newspapers. This was indeed a life well-lived, and the story is told with great wit and flair. show less

This is a companion piece to "You can't wrap fire in paper" by Kuhn's granddaughter Heather Corbally Bryant. Although the Bryant book is fiction, this is a memoir, previously published, by Kuhn and her early life, ending in 1937. It covers the beginning of her journalistic career and the time in China including her early marriage to Burt Kuhn.
It took me quite a while to read this book, not because I struggled, but because I wanted to savor it. Her writing style, the language and turn of show more phrase, her incredible memory for details made this a book to enjoy slowly. Luxuriate in the words.
But understand this is not a tell-all book in the celebrity style. Although she discusses her marriage to Burt and the birth of her child, these are nearly incidental to her life and career. It only sets up the circumstances of her returning to the US from China. But I don't fault her because I believe her purpose in writing this book is to discuss her career which was extremely interesting and a product of her own initiative. Pass on the fictionalized version and stick to these facts. It makes me want to read her newspaper articles. show less

Irene Corbally Kuhn was a pioneering woman journalist during the 1920's and 30's, who travelled the world, scooped her male (and female) counterparts, and found love while reporting in China. Her warm, interesting, and wholly engrossing memoir covered her entrance into her chosen field, her international reporting, and her marriage to fellow reporter Bert Kuhn, the birth of their daughter, and the decade following his death. She also worked in radio in China during the 20's and also later show more decamped to Hollywood to become a screenwriter.

Ms. Kuhn told her story in such a way as to make me wish I'd met her during her life - the tone of the book is one of being told a rollicking story. My only quibble is that the book ends in 1938 - she had a long career and life yet to go that is only touched on at the very end with some pictures. show less

Intrepid woman reporter travels the world seeking adventure and finds love and heartbreak along the way. Sounds like a cliche' but in the hands of Irene Corbally Kuhn it is not. This is Ms. Kuhn's own life and she tells it in a most engaging manner. I would love to have met Ms. Kuhn over cocktails and heard more of her life's anecdotes and of the fascinating people she has met. Definitely recommend this book.