(HET ZIJN NET MENSEN) published in the US as PEOPLE LIKE US, in Australia as FIT TO PRINT

'A genuinely honest book, which takes the lid off reporting, particularly foreign reporting and particularly of the Arab world. There are very few journalists who are willing to be so open about the truth about their trade. It's also very readable.' Nick Davies, author of the best selling Flat Earth News

In this huge bestseller in Holland, Luyendijk writes about the five years he spent as foreign correspondent. The youngest ever correspondent and fluent in Arabic, he spoke with stone throwers and terrorists, with taxi drivers and professors, with victims, aggressors and their families. He experienced at first hand dictatorship, occupation, terror and war. The more he lived through, the more surprised he became. An enormous gap yawned between what he saw as correspondent on the ground and what he later saw in the media. Luyendijk shows through powerful examples and with great humour how the media gives us a filtered, altered and manipulated image. A book full of insights about the lack of objective journalism, about media led reporting, an eye-opening account of what’s behind the news. Joris has written a new afterward for the UK edition coming out in May 2010.

'Superb...This book will make readers think twice when they scan
foreign news in the papers.' The Sunday Business Post

‘The best book I've read about the media, the best about the Middle East, and every page is a pleasure. If Joris Luyendijk finds as many readers in Britain as he did in the Netherlands, he could change the debate here too.’ Simon Kuper

‘Luyendijk is a great observer, his style is flawless and fortunately he can laugh at himself, which makes this book all the more entertaining and attractive.’ HP/De Tijd

‘For journalists this book is an absolute must read, just as it is for TV-watchers, radio-listeners and newspaper-readers.’ Elsevier

‘A revealing look behind the scenes of the media and the expression of personal revulsion make this a very strong book.’ NRC

‘Written with great knowledge and humour. One hopes this will be read by everyone who has a fixed opinion or solution to the conflict in the Middle East. Rises high above the average correspondent book.’ Trouw

‘Hold onto your hat and let go of your assumptions about journalism - disturbing, thought-provoking and ultimately profound.’ Norman Solomon, author of War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death

‘Luyendijk's reflections make for uncomfortable and contradictory reading; the best journalism should be nothing less.’ Antony Loewenstein for the Sydney Morning Herald

(EGYPTE: EEN GOEDE MAN SLAAT SOMS ZIJN VROUW)

A young man goes to live for a year amongst Egyptians of his age - Muhammad the Feminist, Ali the Worrier, Fundamentalist Imad, Liberal Hazem. He talks to them about love, Islam, the West, sex, democracy, homosexuals, Jews, fundamentalism, emancipation and the meaning of life. He sees how everyday Egyptians live, have fun, hate and fall in love. Colourful, shocking, incredibly revealing and refreshing. Travel writing with a difference.

‘Luyendijk is a witty, intelligent and expert writer who describes life in Egypt with compassion.’ Observant

Podium NL;

Europaische Germany.

Material: Dutch and German editions (220pp)