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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
This man and story is phenomenal. My only wish is that his story had been told with the help of another writer, it was a bit long and boring. But 4 stars because it really is a story we all need to read.
Nez talks about how the spoken language is so important in Navajo culture, and Avila writes that all of these stories were told to her verbally. I can definitely see how a lot of these stories would have been more engaging hearing them told, rather than written down. The writing was very simple and straightforward, which I think is a product of how it was created, so I shouldn't fault it for that.
Overall, this book is billed as the experience of a code talker and there really wasn't much about the code in here. It is more a military memoir than anything. I will admit that I skimmed a lot of the chapters about his experiences in battle. It's very much not my thing and I wouldn't have finished if this wasn't for a book club. The small parts about how the code was developed, and the parts about his life growing up on the reservation and then learning to live in society after his service were more interesting, but still not enough to really draw me in.
Overall, this book is billed as the experience of a code talker and there really wasn't much about the code in here. It is more a military memoir than anything. I will admit that I skimmed a lot of the chapters about his experiences in battle. It's very much not my thing and I wouldn't have finished if this wasn't for a book club. The small parts about how the code was developed, and the parts about his life growing up on the reservation and then learning to live in society after his service were more interesting, but still not enough to really draw me in.
The Navajo people endured death matches, abuse, the wholesale slaughter and waste of their cattle (their wealth), and torturous residential schools designed to strip them of their culture, all at the hands of the US government. Yet when the call came for them to fight in WWII, many young men stepped in unhesitatingly, inspiring Chester Nez. They were proud to fight for the country that had abused them, proud of their service and accomplishments, and at the same time willing to suffer additional abuse and indignities after the war in the name of keeping the code secret. These were powerful, courageous men, and they deserved better.
The memoir was touching in many ways, and the full extent of these men's ingenuity and bravery should be shouted from the rooftops and taught in every classroom. Chester and his compatriots, all dead now, were incredible men.
The memoir was touching in many ways, and the full extent of these men's ingenuity and bravery should be shouted from the rooftops and taught in every classroom. Chester and his compatriots, all dead now, were incredible men.