A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE

A powerful, unflinching portrait of a generation fighting for change in Iran, Afghanistan, and Ukraine 

"Sala's dispatches are as immersive and original as they are anthropologically probing... [They] come alive in ways that ordinary newspaper journalism rarely does."—The New York Times Book Review

In The Fire, acclaimed journalist Cecilia Sala takes readers on a gripping journey through some of the world's most volatile regions, from Eastern Europe to the Middle East. Through the eyes of people like Kateryna, a Ukrainian soldier; Assim, an Iranian student at the forefront of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests; Nabila, a queer Muslim kickboxing champion; and Zarifa, a political activist in Afghanistan, Sala offers an intimate portrayal of those fighting for a better life.  

By immersing herself in their daily lives and political battles, Sala crafts a poignant narrative that captures the human dimension of some of the world's most intense conflicts. The Fire is a testament to the courage of a generation at the forefront of global change.



"Marie Colvin... used to say that her calling was to write about 'humanity in extremis.' As Sala makes clear in The Fire... she is a worthy successor to that noble pursuit. Her dispatches are as immersive and original as they are anthropologically probing... Sala intersperses these fascinating mini-profiles with facts about life in the countries she visits that make them come alive in ways that ordinary newspaper journalism rarely does."



"In steady, unblinking prose, Cecilia Sala paints a sweeping portrait of young activists fighting for freedom around the world. Drawing on interviews, historical analysis and firsthand accounts, The Fire is the perfect book for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance from those at the front lines of global conflict."



"Sala pulls off a tricky feat, keeping the page count extremely reasonable while creating a book that feels thoroughly researched and reported. Fire is a whirlwind trip through three countries that gets to the heart of what matters."



"The Fire centers on the stories of the young people Sala meets on her fearless reporting trips around the world. A Ukrainian soldier, an Iranian protestor, an Afghan activist—those risking their lives for political change, in essence. The archetype of the globetrotting reporter hopping from warzone to warzone is alive and well."



"A choral reportage that starts from personal stories and broadens the story to the geopolitical context."



"The only hope left lies with the younger generations; they are the only ones who still have a vision and can recount the story of our planet without prejudices. Cecilia Sala does precisely that, with great skill and passion, in this extraordinary book."