David Grann Quotes

Being a reporter seems a ticket out to the world.

I did think that it'd be truly cool to be a foreign correspondent, and it was. There is a degree of freedom - and the right to roam the earth on somebody else's nickel.

The fact that people will pay you to talk to people and travel to interesting places and write about what intrigues you, I am just amazed by that.

One of the exciting things about reporting is going to places you've never been to before.

I worked as a carpenter for a few years. I began writing. I wrote a book about my time in Africa - that came out in 1988 - called 'The Village of Waiting.'

I was no stranger to risk myself, having made documentaries in dangerous conditions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Africa.

Growing up, I wanted to be a journalist. I was in love with Lisa Ling, who's a broadcast journalist and who travels the world. I used to read all of her articles and watch her when she'd go to China or South Africa or Australia. I thought that was the coolest job because she got to travel and tell people's stories.

Journalism: an ability to meet the challenge of filling the space.

Most people I know don't even realize I'm an award-winning author, but I have gotten many opportunities to travel to places I'd never have visited otherwise.

I'm still having fun, and I'm doing something and I'm seeing the world! I wasn't massively ambitious, but I did always want to do the best I could do.

I go wherever the good story is.

I've done a lot of stories over the years, and sometimes there are larks, and they're fun, and you kind of move on.

I wanted to be a journalist because I like to ask questions. And I like the idea that someone might feel responsible for answering them.

Being a journalist always makes you a quick study of wherever you're at. You're out all the time and seeing places that normally you wouldn't get to see. It gives you an unusual level of insight into any place.

When I was younger I dreamt of intrepid travel and whenever I had some time off I wanted to scuba dive. Nowadays I'm a bit more relaxed but I'd still like to do an Amazonian trek.

At one point, I wanted to be a wildlife photographer. I also love to travel, so maybe I'd do travel writing.

We'd never thought we'd get to travel so extensively, meet our heroes, and collaborate with so many people.

I love collections. I got into journalism with the idea that I'd be doing them.

I always try, if I can, to travel before I start a writing project. For me, travelling is my education. It inspires me, and it clears my mind and allows me to come back with a cleansed palate.

I've worked in government. I've worked in competitive New York litigation, I've worked as a writer and reporte..

I'd waste a holiday trying to set a story in this new place I'd visit, whereas I would never write a story about Indianapolis.

Rio has been absolutely epic. I did leave my heart out there, and I wanted to do everybody proud.

We spent a year touring the world and it wasn't until it was over that we truly appreciated the upside and downside of our success.

I always thought of myself as more of a columnist, but maybe a columnist who does reporting.

I want to do a travel book.