Jon Krakauer’s, Where Men Win Glory
For each book, I will do a quasi-review using the following Sergio Leone-inspired layout:
The Good: For starters, and I will lead with this every time, Scott Brick was phenomenal. He could read the alphabet, and it would hold my attention. I can’t speak for other audio book readers, but for me, the narrator makes such an enormous difference. With novels, Dick Hill and George Guidall are legends, and rightly so, several of the novelists that are must-reads for me, are so because of those 2 guys. Scott Brick is quickly becoming one of those narrators for me. It is just incredible. I have a personal rule: for non-fiction texts, the author had better be the narrator. How can you properly communicate the message of your book, if you’re not doing the reading? Well, now there’s an amendment: if you’re not going to read it yourself, use Scott Brick. He was fantastic.
Having said that, even if you’re not an audio book reader, I think nearly all Americans should read this book. If nothing else, Krakauer does yeoman’s work of explaining the history of Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, and all of the events that have led to that theatre’s inclusion in the Global War on Terror. It is very necessary.
The Bad: Of course, Krakauer is a pinko loon, granola Leftist partisan, without a doubt. I don’t care about that, for the reasons stated above. But, he really just doesn’t get it when it comes to Pat Tillman’s significance. I have, through my graduate studies, encountered a surprising number of American men aged 18-28 who have been to Afghanistan or Iraq, who have contributed to the insurance of our lifestyle and Western civilization. They truly are the new “Greatest Generation”, just heroes, all. However, outside of my academic universe, there is very little interaction or sacrifice being made by me or my peers in this global conflict. We are at war. And so little of the American public has been impacted by that. This is atypical of the American experience of our wars, and that is not a good thing. Pat Tillman really, really understood that. And that is the importance of Tillman’s story. So many of our heroes of past generations; athletic, pop cultural, political, they all were also war heroes. They gave back to the nation that gave them so much opportunity, and they pitched in, unflinchingly, when she was threatened. The fact that Tillman has become the anomaly in that capacity is a sad, sad statement as to where we our as a nation. Pat Tillman should be the standard for our heroes, and that should be the message.
The Ugly: There isn’t much. But Krakauer does suffer incessantly from Bush Derangement Syndrome. He spends vast expanses of words and pages railing needlessly, and vitriolic, against the Bush Administration. It seems strangely out of place, and does a disservice to the seriously good story telling that he presents. It’s just sad, really.
Overall Review: 3.5 out of 5. It is a must read, simply because it is like a Cliff Notes for the Global War on Terror. If you can look past the Bush-bashing.
I think the Pat Tillman point is stirring. I had never looked at his story through that lens and it is so very true. Ted Williams, Joe Louis, etc - all soldiers; and that service was paramount to their athletic endeavors Seems like this would be a good read for my Terrorism and US Foreign Policy course.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good post...I will try to listen to some of these books as I ride around town.
ReplyDeleteAs for this book, I only wonder if the author takes time to bash the Bush Administration does he also provide an educated alternative to the situation or does he just take time to stand on a soap box and complain. I hate people that whine but offer no solutions. I can enjoy a different point of view just not complaints about others that do take action while the author just sits on the sidelines.
He spent alot of time insinuating that if 5 partisan Supreme Court justices hadn't unconstintutionally handed W the 2000 election - we wouldn't be in Afghanistan and Pat Tillman would still be alive. It's ridiculous hooey. But, 75% of the book is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteGreat book and most importantly amazing story of patriotism and sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't appreciate how the book used this story to attack our administration,while forgetting it's true message.
Fog of war is something that only a few will ever understand. Things happen, stories change. Ultimately someone has to put it down on paper.
Its very unfortunate how this particular story unfolded, but using it to bash our government left me with a bad taste.
I understand that " hero's " sell bonds, and in public eye they make the war seem just. It happened during WWII, and long before that ( Iwo Jima flag raising , and selfless acts of John Basilone on Guatacanal which earned him the MOH ) more recently even with Pvt Jessica Lynch(03-23-03 battle of AnNasiriya, Iraq). All these stories were exploited and embellished at times by our media.
It should be understood by the general public that stories of bravery and heroism, will always play the role to overshadow our misfortunes or mistakes.
Speaking from experience while in AnNasiriyah, Iraq the story Pvt Jessica Lynch overshadowed the story of my battalion that came to 507 maintenance Co. rescue, loosing 18 marines in a days fight with many more wounded. The truth of the matter is that her story appealed to the media. The fact that some of our KIA and WIA came from green on green, automatically sidelined us. In turn never reaching the public eye.
Just think about it a "woman PFC kidnapped by the fedayeen" much more romantic then " marines killed by own plane "
Out of all of this we have to take out the good and remember the sacrifices made by our man and woman every time they put on the uniform. Pointing fingers and putting the blame solely on few people will get us nowhere. It can only divide us at a time where we should all be united.
In the words of Forrest Gump " that's all I have to say about that "
Books you might be interested in
" WAR " by Sebastian Junger
Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10- Story of Marcus Luttrell
This is, of course, a great point. Also, the Pentagon was quick to turn Jessica Lynch into "Iraq Barbie" - completely discounting Shoshana Johnson, also a captured female soldier from the 507th. Whether or not there was a racist component to that is for others to debate.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, as I stated, I think that the bigger narrative, and lesson, of Pat Tillman is that we Americans are using a small percentage of our population to fight a "proxy war". There isn't enough skin in the game. Your friends and family in New Jersey understand the sacrifice and commitment that our predecessors have for previous American war efforts. But many of us do not. That has to change.
Thanks for your service to our country for our continued way of life. For me, your sacrifice, as well as those of your fellow marines was just and worthy - and I am appreciative of it everyday. I wish there were more that I, and my fellow Americans, was doing to share the burden. I think Pat Tillman's story brings that sentiment closer to home - and I wish others would read the book and come away with the same feeling.
I have read Junger's "War" along with just about everything else he has written. I will look for Luttrell's book and include it on my quest. Thanks for the feedback.