Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey Of Pat Tillman (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
The story of Pat Tillman is inspiring, but this book is just lacking. The flow between different subjects/time periods was weak. Chapters often felt as if they were just thrown together, and the sections on Jessica Lynch were pretty repetitive. Krakauer showed himself to be a hypocrite when he criticized the Bush Administration's attempts to use Tillman as a symbol, while Krakauer did the same thing, just with different goals. I hate to give another Krakauer book 4 stars, but I keep reading them, and once again, I have no choice. Because of the author's start in magazine journalism he is a wonderful writer with a keen sharp editing mind. He writes clear, to the point, and never meanders. The best part of the story is Pat Tillman. I was surprised to find much of the book is directly quoted from extensive journals Mr. Tillman kept. I am overwhelmed by his intelligence, integrity, and simple eloquence. He was an amazingly man, and this insight into his soul is uplifting, heartbreaking and inspiring. Complete with all the flaws of humanity, he struggled to do that which he believed was virtuous, and I am a better person for getting to know his very personal first person account. As with Everything Krakauer does, there is the typical yellow tint, plenty of glaring left wing scandal-mongering and selective inclusion of fact. There is an unavoidable Hemingway-esque quality to his writing; and to his viewpoint and focus on love and his own personal politics that shine through. The problem is, while reminiscent of Hemingway; H. wrote fiction. The lack of objective reporting in Krakauer's (ostensibly non-fiction) books always grates on me, this more than most. As he has become more well known, his opinions have begun to take up more and more space. Sometimes, like sun glare, it not only obscures the view, but it hurts my eyes. A little more E.H. quality in writing and less in the political undertones that have taken off in recent years would be appreciated. John and I aint never gonna be drinkin' buddies, but his works are thought provoking, crisply written and emotionally charged. If I have to slog through some leftie-loosie rhetoric, at least its done by a decent writer, and that's the highest compliment I can give.
What do You think about Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey Of Pat Tillman (2009)?
Fantastic read; I could not put this book down. Krakauer's writing style is fantastic.
—llebpack
Very good. It puts a different perspective on the war that I've never thought about.
—Keiara
I cried. I knew what was coming and still cried. Amazing storytelling.
—Shadow
Krakauer at his best. Heartbreaking and important story.
—Kaliu
To political!Good grief! It made this not fun to read.
—elise
