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The Last Assignment
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Expected 19 Aug 25Win a free print copy of this book!
23 days and 18:02:27
20 copies available
U.S. only
From bestselling author Erika Robuck comes the perilous and awe-inspiring true story of award-winning photojournalist Dickey Chapelle as she risks everything to show the American people the price of war through the lens of her camera.Ìý
Manhattan, 1956.Ìý
Since her arrest for disobeying orders and going ashore at Iwo Jima almost a decade earlier, combat correspondent Georgette "Dickey" Chapelle has been unmoored. Her military accreditation revoked, her marriage failing, and her savings dwindling, Dickey jumps at an opportunity to work with an international refugee association—one with intelligence ties. In the aftermath of a refugee rescue that goes wrong, a flame is lit deep inside Dickey� to survive in order to be the world's witness to war from the front lines.
Never content to report on battles unless her own boots are on the ground, Dickey and her camera journey with American and international soldiers from frozen wastelands, to raging seas, to luscious jungles, covering the plight of those suffering from humanity's endless cycle of violence. Told in an alternating prose and epistolary format, The Last Assignment takes readers along on Dickey's missions to the Hungarian Revolution, the Cuban Revolution, and the earliest days of the war in Vietnam, revealing one woman's extraordinary courage and tenacity in the face of discrimination and danger.Ìý
And it's along the way, in Dickey's desire to save the world, she realizes she might also be saving herself.Ìý
Manhattan, 1956.Ìý
Since her arrest for disobeying orders and going ashore at Iwo Jima almost a decade earlier, combat correspondent Georgette "Dickey" Chapelle has been unmoored. Her military accreditation revoked, her marriage failing, and her savings dwindling, Dickey jumps at an opportunity to work with an international refugee association—one with intelligence ties. In the aftermath of a refugee rescue that goes wrong, a flame is lit deep inside Dickey� to survive in order to be the world's witness to war from the front lines.
Never content to report on battles unless her own boots are on the ground, Dickey and her camera journey with American and international soldiers from frozen wastelands, to raging seas, to luscious jungles, covering the plight of those suffering from humanity's endless cycle of violence. Told in an alternating prose and epistolary format, The Last Assignment takes readers along on Dickey's missions to the Hungarian Revolution, the Cuban Revolution, and the earliest days of the war in Vietnam, revealing one woman's extraordinary courage and tenacity in the face of discrimination and danger.Ìý
And it's along the way, in Dickey's desire to save the world, she realizes she might also be saving herself.Ìý
448 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 19, 2025
4 people are currently reading
6535 people want to read
About the author
Erika Robuck
13Ìýbooks1,299ÌýfollowersErika Robuck is the national bestselling author of historical fiction including THE LAST TWELVE MILES and THE INVISIBLE WOMAN. In 2024 she was named a Maryland Writer’s Association Notable Writer and won the Anne Arundel County Arts Council Literary Award. A photography enthusiast, she resides in Annapolis with her husband and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 3, 2025
The Last Assignment brings to light a trailblazing woman photojournalist known for her work as a war correspondent from WWII through the Vietnam War � Georgette Meyer Chapelle, known professionally as Dickey Chapelle. She worked for major periodicals and captured the raw, human side of war with remarkable clarity.
The story begins with her failing marriage and the backstories of how she lost her previous job and struggled to return to work she loved the most.
The pace quickens when she convinces her boss, Leo Cherne of Life and the IRC, to send her to Hungary to cover the 1956 uprising. In Vienna, she meets with Dr. Faust to expedite the delivering of antibiotics for refugees, even as the window for safe passage closes rapidly.
Leo warns her not to cross the Hungarian border illegally - something she is notorious for doing � and reminds her to report to RIA in New York on December 10 for debriefing. As other war correspondents begin to leave, having gathered enough material, Dickey can’t understand how that could possibly be enough.
Posing as part of a humanitarian mission, she throws herself into the rescue efforts, often caring more about others than her own safety. Her courage is chilling at times � brought to life through gripping writing that creates intense, suspenseful moments.
On December 5, Dickey is reported to have crossed the border illegally and is arrested.
Upon her return to the United States � having missed her assigned debrief date - she finds a new job at Reader’s Digest. Their next assignment takes her to Cuba, where she covers the rebels in the Sierra Maestra. There, she witnesses the revolution of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara against Batista’s regime.
By photographing people’s struggle and getting to know some of the fighters - including children � she begins to understand why so many are willing to risk their lives. When oppression is all you’ve ever known, it can feel like you have nothing to lose.
Fidel Castro’s victory over Batista is short-lived in her eyes. On a return visit, she witnesses growing anti-American sentiment. Once embraced in Cuba, she now finds herself treated as an outcast.
In 1961, her piece on Laos � where she once again risked her life - is rejected by Reader’s Digest for being too critical of the government. She refuses to soften the truth, and as a result, her relationship with the publication continues to deteriorate.
After completing various assignments, her heart remains in South Vietnam, where she returns for her final mission.
The character-development of the real-life heroine shines through as she treks through war zones, constantly placing herself in danger. Her story highlights the unspoken bond and mutual understanding among war correspondents who feel deeply called to their work.
The book is portrays the camaraderie of combat zones realistically: relying on one, appreciating every meal, drink and sunrise as if it might be the last.
The historical background is vividly rendered - often revealed through action or dialogue - making for an engaging and fast-paced read. The book touches on many fascinating faucets of history, including the personal drive of a woman determine to pursue her calling in a male-dominated field.
The Last Assignment is an engrossing and powerful account of a pioneering woman in journalism who risked everything - her life and her career � to uncover the truth. Through her photojournalism, she created “a quilt of pictures. A legacy. A requiem.�
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story begins with her failing marriage and the backstories of how she lost her previous job and struggled to return to work she loved the most.
The pace quickens when she convinces her boss, Leo Cherne of Life and the IRC, to send her to Hungary to cover the 1956 uprising. In Vienna, she meets with Dr. Faust to expedite the delivering of antibiotics for refugees, even as the window for safe passage closes rapidly.
Leo warns her not to cross the Hungarian border illegally - something she is notorious for doing � and reminds her to report to RIA in New York on December 10 for debriefing. As other war correspondents begin to leave, having gathered enough material, Dickey can’t understand how that could possibly be enough.
Posing as part of a humanitarian mission, she throws herself into the rescue efforts, often caring more about others than her own safety. Her courage is chilling at times � brought to life through gripping writing that creates intense, suspenseful moments.
On December 5, Dickey is reported to have crossed the border illegally and is arrested.
Upon her return to the United States � having missed her assigned debrief date - she finds a new job at Reader’s Digest. Their next assignment takes her to Cuba, where she covers the rebels in the Sierra Maestra. There, she witnesses the revolution of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara against Batista’s regime.
By photographing people’s struggle and getting to know some of the fighters - including children � she begins to understand why so many are willing to risk their lives. When oppression is all you’ve ever known, it can feel like you have nothing to lose.
Fidel Castro’s victory over Batista is short-lived in her eyes. On a return visit, she witnesses growing anti-American sentiment. Once embraced in Cuba, she now finds herself treated as an outcast.
In 1961, her piece on Laos � where she once again risked her life - is rejected by Reader’s Digest for being too critical of the government. She refuses to soften the truth, and as a result, her relationship with the publication continues to deteriorate.
After completing various assignments, her heart remains in South Vietnam, where she returns for her final mission.
The character-development of the real-life heroine shines through as she treks through war zones, constantly placing herself in danger. Her story highlights the unspoken bond and mutual understanding among war correspondents who feel deeply called to their work.
The book is portrays the camaraderie of combat zones realistically: relying on one, appreciating every meal, drink and sunrise as if it might be the last.
The historical background is vividly rendered - often revealed through action or dialogue - making for an engaging and fast-paced read. The book touches on many fascinating faucets of history, including the personal drive of a woman determine to pursue her calling in a male-dominated field.
The Last Assignment is an engrossing and powerful account of a pioneering woman in journalism who risked everything - her life and her career � to uncover the truth. Through her photojournalism, she created “a quilt of pictures. A legacy. A requiem.�
Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2025
Whether you've heard of Dickey Chapelle or not (I certainly hadn't), you absolutely must read The Last Assignment. One of the things that I love about historical fiction is getting to learn about so many interesting historical figures that I never would have known about otherwise. Dickey Chapelle is perhaps one of the most interesting that I've read about to-date. A female war photographer who thrived on putting herself in the most dangerous situations possible, Dickey was one-of-a-kind. It was thrilling to read about all of her adventures and achievements, and I highly recommend The Last Assignment!
April 19, 2025
Before reading the description of The Last Assignment, I’d never heard of Dickey Chapelle. But thanks to Ericka Robuck’s talent for finding and telling the stories of people that sometimes slip through the cracks of history, I was able to meet and get to know a gifted photojournalist and war correspondent who was a fierce proponent of justice and an all-around bad ass.
Chapelle’s defiant and sometimes reckless passion frequently put her at odds with so many of her friends, family, and colleagues, but it also reminded readers that there are people in the world committed to being helpers no matter what the personal cost. Maybe she didn’t get it right one hundred percent of the time, but no one could say Dickey wasn’t one hundred and fifty percent sincere in her efforts and beliefs.
I especially loved the way Robuck wove the stories of other strong women into Dickey’s story. Learning about Las Marianas and the female contingent of the Sea Swallows was eye-opening. To see their commitment to their cause, their courage in the face of insurmountable danger was humbling. More people need to know about these remarkable women, and Robuck’s novel has helped ensure their legacy is lasting.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Chapelle’s defiant and sometimes reckless passion frequently put her at odds with so many of her friends, family, and colleagues, but it also reminded readers that there are people in the world committed to being helpers no matter what the personal cost. Maybe she didn’t get it right one hundred percent of the time, but no one could say Dickey wasn’t one hundred and fifty percent sincere in her efforts and beliefs.
I especially loved the way Robuck wove the stories of other strong women into Dickey’s story. Learning about Las Marianas and the female contingent of the Sea Swallows was eye-opening. To see their commitment to their cause, their courage in the face of insurmountable danger was humbling. More people need to know about these remarkable women, and Robuck’s novel has helped ensure their legacy is lasting.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 25, 2025
4.5 â�
"Will today be the day I make the picture to end all wars? It’s a day of high color, saturated. The world looks like a poem. I feel both here and in a dream. On earth and in heaven."
I’ve been hooked by the idea of “War Journo Dames� ever since reading Kim Fay's Kate & Frida, so when I heard about The Last Assignment, I knew I had to learn about Dickey Chapelle!
This work of biographical fiction definitely has me wanting to know more of Dickey's story and I've already added two of the suggestions for further reading to my TBR.
The sense of place is incredibly vivid - from a Hungarian prison to revolutionary Cuba to the villages of Vietnam. What a life - certainly full of the horrors of war, but also filled with adventure, camaraderie, and love.
"I feel ready to again pick up my camera and find the places and the people in the world who need light. It’s my calling. I must use my gifts of curiosity, courage, and access to the inner light to go to the darkest places and expose what happens there. I used to think of myself as a girl reporter, then a war correspondent. Now, however, I see I have to serve as an interpreter of violence. Find it, expose it, name it, exorcise it. That is my task, and I’m ready for my next mission."
"Will today be the day I make the picture to end all wars? It’s a day of high color, saturated. The world looks like a poem. I feel both here and in a dream. On earth and in heaven."
I’ve been hooked by the idea of “War Journo Dames� ever since reading Kim Fay's Kate & Frida, so when I heard about The Last Assignment, I knew I had to learn about Dickey Chapelle!
This work of biographical fiction definitely has me wanting to know more of Dickey's story and I've already added two of the suggestions for further reading to my TBR.
The sense of place is incredibly vivid - from a Hungarian prison to revolutionary Cuba to the villages of Vietnam. What a life - certainly full of the horrors of war, but also filled with adventure, camaraderie, and love.
"I feel ready to again pick up my camera and find the places and the people in the world who need light. It’s my calling. I must use my gifts of curiosity, courage, and access to the inner light to go to the darkest places and expose what happens there. I used to think of myself as a girl reporter, then a war correspondent. Now, however, I see I have to serve as an interpreter of violence. Find it, expose it, name it, exorcise it. That is my task, and I’m ready for my next mission."
November 4, 2024
In The Last Assignment, Erika Robuck brings to life Georgette “Dickey� Chapelle, a fiercely daring photographer who dedicated her life to capturing history through her lens. In an era when female photographers were often overlooked, Dickey took extraordinary risks–crossing borders in Hungary, confronting communists in Cuba, parachuting into Laos–all in pursuit of one goal: to tell the truth to the American public. Vivid and compelling, rich with historical significance and sharp-edged like Dickey’s own haunting snapshots, The Last Assignment offers not only a gripping account of the tumultuous events of the 1960s, but also serves as an elegiac anthem for a woman who lived boldly on her own terms, and lives on as a legend.
June 4, 2025
This novel tells the story of real-life award-winning photojournalist Georgette “Dickey� Chapelle. Dickey’s life goal is to take a photo that will end all wars, and in her quest to do that she witnesses first-hand seven conflicts. She evades death on Iwo Jima, survives prison in Hungary, marches alongside Fidel Castro’s men in Cuba, and finds peace amid war in Vietnam.
Adventurous and fast-paced, Robuck has brought this historical figure back to life. Her tribute to Dickey Chapelle will bring this heroic woman’s story to generations who have never heard of her. There is so much fascinating history in these pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.
Adventurous and fast-paced, Robuck has brought this historical figure back to life. Her tribute to Dickey Chapelle will bring this heroic woman’s story to generations who have never heard of her. There is so much fascinating history in these pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.
November 14, 2024
The Last Assignment exquisitely captures the daring exploits and risks of real-life combat correspondent Georgette "Dickey" Chapelle in a way that is relatable, heartfelt, and impactful. Erika Robuck is a master of her craft in detailing the lives of real women who have left their mark on history and this book is no different. Brilliantly researched and written with incredible skill and heart, this story is a testament to the power of Dickey’s determination to share the suffering of those in need with the world.
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April 7, 2025I received an advance copy in a giveaway from the author. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2025
Dear Reader,
Women in the shadows of war and intelligence history continue to captivate me. Dickey Chapelle has been "nudging" me for years, and only recently did I feel ready to tell her story. Her indomitable spirit and courage proved to be a light through many dark and harrowing conflicts and places in history. I hope you'll take this journey with her.
All my best,
Erika Robuck
Women in the shadows of war and intelligence history continue to captivate me. Dickey Chapelle has been "nudging" me for years, and only recently did I feel ready to tell her story. Her indomitable spirit and courage proved to be a light through many dark and harrowing conflicts and places in history. I hope you'll take this journey with her.
All my best,
Erika Robuck
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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