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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This book's strongest point is its descriptions of the chaos of actual battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, in its recounting of the killing of Pat Tillman and of some of the combat related to the Jessica Lynch capture/rescue. It also tells a pretty shocking story of the army dishonestly presenting events that happen in war to fit into its narrative. In the Tillman case it's particular strange because it's clear that the military leaders know they're not even going to get away with the stories they were spinning. The writing is fast moving and gripping. That said, I found Krakauer's choice of subjects to focus on strange at times -- why did we need a long description of the recount in the presidential election of 2000? -- and I think his attempt to weave Tillman's pre-war life into political events failed because Krakauer never tried to explain what Tillman thought about any of it.
Jon Krakauer is a great non-fiction author (he wrote "Into Thin Air") and the story of Pat Tillman is sad, frustrating and inspirational...together this book makes for gripping reading. while i found the detailed exploration of Tillman's childhood a bit overmuch, in the end these anecdotes help to paint a picture of a man who acts consistently throughout his short life. Krakaue has no mercy for the idiots in the White House who went to war in Afghanistan and then took their eye off the ball in order to take down Saddam. his in depth look at the Jessica Lynch media event, in which Tillman ends up playing a peripheral role, is perfect to set the stage for the lies and evasions that the military resorts to when Tillman is killed by friendly fire on his first mission in Afghanistan. again the story is sad and frustrating in that such an admirable young man died so early for absolutely nothing, but it is inspiring that there are still people like him...and the story is also instructive, so that we can try to make sure that we elect governments in the future who will not take similar actions. a must read for anyone interested in current events.
Masterfully researched and written, Krakauer's story of Pat Tillman's life and death was captivating. Tillman was someone I would have liked to have known, and reading of his death and the cover up following it, as well as the historic events that put him in the line of fire in the first place, left me in anger, disbelief, disgust, and sorrow.
My heart is saddened just thinking about this book. What a tragedy. How brave Krakauer was to show the fratricide side of war. And how brave to show the truth as he sees it. The truth about the type of man Pat Tillman was, the truth Karkauer sees about the war. And just like his other work, his writing is so succinct and "storytellish" that I kept forgetting that I was reading non fiction. I loved how he juxtaposed Pat Tillman's story with the story of what has been happening in the Middle Eatst.
All that being said, I took one star because this book does only look at one side of the story. You, as a reader, will definitely know how Krakauer feels about the entire situation. He certainly doesn't withhold his opinion. Seeing as I agree with him, I appreciated that. However, if your feelings slant to "the right" then perhaps you should pass on this telling of the story.
All that being said, I took one star because this book does only look at one side of the story. You, as a reader, will definitely know how Krakauer feels about the entire situation. He certainly doesn't withhold his opinion. Seeing as I agree with him, I appreciated that. However, if your feelings slant to "the right" then perhaps you should pass on this telling of the story.
didn’t finish the last like 50 pages i just cannot read this book anymore i’m sorry it is so fucking boring
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
I know Krakauer is very popular, but this is the first of his books that appealed to me as I am not a huge reader of non-fiction. He does write well, and I may go on to read Three Cups of Deceit. The book runs on parallel tracks, alternating between Tillman's biography and events in the Middle East and Asia taking place at the same time. That for me was the strength in this, the history of how things came to be. I learned a lot that I was too young and self absorbed to notice when it was happening.
By the end of the preface, there is no question as to where the author stands. That was a little hard for me because I read the whole book wondering if there was a bias throughout. Was the Bush administration that ignorant? Was Pat Tillman a superman? He was certainly an upright, talented young man with a bright future who felt compelled to do the right thing. But Tillman is one of many sons, husbands and fathers who perished, leaving a hole in the lives of their families that will never be filled.
Ultimately, this was a very dark episode in the Army's long history. I hope the family has found some peace.
By the end of the preface, there is no question as to where the author stands. That was a little hard for me because I read the whole book wondering if there was a bias throughout. Was the Bush administration that ignorant? Was Pat Tillman a superman? He was certainly an upright, talented young man with a bright future who felt compelled to do the right thing. But Tillman is one of many sons, husbands and fathers who perished, leaving a hole in the lives of their families that will never be filled.
Ultimately, this was a very dark episode in the Army's long history. I hope the family has found some peace.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
*audio book review*
Krakauer did an amazing job of keeping my interest, even though I already knew the outcome, by way of extensive research (a credit to his journalistic talents) and riveting, detailed descriptions. I was, in equal parts, inspired by Pat Tillman's courage and character and outraged by the chain of events that led to his death. I'm guessing that I would've enjoyed reading this book more than listening to it, as there were times where it was hard to keep track of the names (especially in the sections on Afghan history) as well as distinguishing between excerpts (e.g., from Tillman's journal) versus Krakauer's own words.
Krakauer did an amazing job of keeping my interest, even though I already knew the outcome, by way of extensive research (a credit to his journalistic talents) and riveting, detailed descriptions. I was, in equal parts, inspired by Pat Tillman's courage and character and outraged by the chain of events that led to his death. I'm guessing that I would've enjoyed reading this book more than listening to it, as there were times where it was hard to keep track of the names (especially in the sections on Afghan history) as well as distinguishing between excerpts (e.g., from Tillman's journal) versus Krakauer's own words.