Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman - 2009 - Jon Krakauer

 

As previously noted, Krakauer is one of my favorite authors. I will try my best to read all of his stuff. I also like Kristin Hannah, Erik Larson, and Michael Lewis.

This is an exceedingly interesting book. I asked chat if Krakauer is an outspoken democrat because this book is pretty harsh towards former president Bush II. It is slightly hard to write a review because Krakauer presents a clear perspective with a lot of evidence. However, the military and White House I am sure would be happy to argue strongly for the opposite view. I think life in general is all perspective basically. For the record, I believe Krakauer is mostly right.

One thing this book taught me is that the government and the military are liars. I knew this, but I thought that they were not too guilty. I was wrong. Apparently the invasion of Iraq was unfounded. Apparently Bush stole the election from Gore in 2000 (really the Supreme Court handed it to him). Apparently if your superior in the military tells you to lie then you have to lie. Apparently the government knows in advance when the news is going to run negative stories about them. Apparently the army is made up of a bunch of misfit kids with a few mature adults sprinkled in. The commanders are also often inept and more concerned with public perception than the truth. After reading this book, I would not join the army. To be fair, Krakauer went into a lot of detail on some of their worst moments. I am sure you could write another book about their success stories. 

On Pat Tillman, he is an interesting guy. He turned down millions and left his hot wife to go fight for the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. I respect that. He loved reading and was an exceptional football player (although not an exceptional triathlete or marathoner). I have mixed feelings about him leaving his wife to join the army. Surely it is honorable to serve, but should you leave your wife to risk your life if you dont need the money? Another guy in his platoon left his wife and new born to serve. It was the right thing to fight the terrorists, but I always wonder how much stress are you supposed to put your family under. Am I allowed to leave mason and join the army and visit sometimes? I dont think I would do that even if I wanted to. 

On Pat’s death, the U.S. military had so much fire power and so much training and were facing an enemy that constantly disappeared into the cliffs. The U.S. military was too desperate for action and therefore went overboard, leading to Pat’s death. I don’t think there was criminal intent. I do think there was a failure to effectively identify friendlies and to engage ceasefire appropriately. Also it was twilight at the time so that may also have played a role in the fratricide. 

Other notes, Marie remarried and has a foundation in Pat’s honor. She also has at least one child. Pat’s parents divorced before his death. Probably you don’t care about that fact, but I am always curious about this because I can never figure out if marriage is a good deal or a bad deal. Lol. I thought Saudi Arabia was the enemy, but apparently the Taliban were just over the border in Pakistan and Pakistan knew this. My reading of the text is that sometimes the Pakistanis helped the Taliban and sometimes they fought them. Pakistan seems like a very confusing country. They have many divergent interests at the same time. I have pretty much lost all respect for Bush, Rumsfeld, the army, Cheney, and the trustworthiness of newspapers and war reporting. I also have lost a lot of respect for the U.S. military in general. I kind of thought we were more competent. The military is highly competent in making you think they are competent jajaja. 

On Krakauer: He is one of my favorite authors because he goes really really really in depth in his books and does not skip over even the smallest detail. His research is really really good. Whether he is an ardent democrat or not, I am not sure, but he once again did a really good job on the research for this book, down to the alphanumeric names of the vehicles in the convoys in the battles in Iraq.

Anyways, I have written a lot. Scott, mom, dad, read this book for sure. I think it will give you a lot of new perspective and make you question previously held opinions. I thought the Taliban was in Iraq lol but we just went there for weapons of mass destruction. I had such a poor understanding of what really happened in the Middle East before reading this book. 

Peace, Coach Cathy recommended a book for me to read next! Let us see! My reading list is so so long as usual!! Jajaja But that is a good thing!!!