Over the course of a career spanning 70 years, William Deedes, or Dear Bill, has become one of the most respected and admired journalists of the last century. This is his story, told with his characteristic modesty, insight and wit. As a young reporter, Bill Deedes was sent off to cover the Abyssinian war, thereby gaining him a reputation as a fearless war reporter and a Over the course of a career spanning 70 years, William Deedes, or Dear Bill, has become one of the most respected and admired journalists of the last century. This is his story, told with his characteristic modesty, insight and wit. As a young reporter, Bill Deedes was sent off to cover the Abyssinian war, thereby gaining him a reputation as a fearless war reporter and also inadvertently providing Evelyn Waugh with the inspiration for Scoop s hero, Henry Boot. Kept on after the Telegraph merger, Bill rose through the ranks until he was eventually made editor—a position he held for several years. Today he continues to write for the Telegraph as well as work tirelessly for charity.