Where Men Win Glory
Thomas Gray
A.P. U.S. History
12 August 2012
Written Book Review: Where Men Win Glory, by Jon Krakauer
1) Jon Krakauer is an avid outdoorsman, climber, and reporter for Outside Magazine. “He has made a name for himself by writing about impassioned individuals and the incredible lengths to which they go in pursuit of their goals,” says the San Jose Mercury News. His book, Into the Wild, is practically a twin of Where Men Win Glory. Both feature a character that makes a surprising life decision and heads off on a journey to find themself. Krakauer’s desire to set the record straight and get the whole story drove him to write both these novels. These people that he writes about match his own personality so well that Men’s Journal states that “it’s tough to think of a better match than Jon Krakauer…and the story of Pat Tillman.
2) Army cover-up and confusion following Pat Tillman’s death effectively clouded the true events on that fateful day in April, 2004. Jon Krakauer’s purpose in creating this book was to uncover that truth. Throughout the novel he canvasses the opinions and viewpoints of Tillman’s life. The section about the fight at the Roundtable Pizzeria contains interview from friends of the individual Tillman mistakenly attacked. These opposing viewpoints of Pat’s character give the reader a more well-rounded view of him. Rather than reporting just one facet, Krakauer gives the whole truth. Similarly, he gets multiple opinions concerning the punishment of the teammates responsible for killing Tillman. Some of them said they were too severe, and others thought they were a mere slap on the wrist. These interviews show the truth of the discord between the members of the platoon, caused by the death of Pat Tillman. The most important opinion of the book is Tillman’s own. Krakauer’s analysis of his diaries and notes is crucial to understanding Pat’s mind and his decisions. For instance, the reader learns that joining the army wasn’t about glory for Tillman;
A.P. U.S. History
12 August 2012
Written Book Review: Where Men Win Glory, by Jon Krakauer
1) Jon Krakauer is an avid outdoorsman, climber, and reporter for Outside Magazine. “He has made a name for himself by writing about impassioned individuals and the incredible lengths to which they go in pursuit of their goals,” says the San Jose Mercury News. His book, Into the Wild, is practically a twin of Where Men Win Glory. Both feature a character that makes a surprising life decision and heads off on a journey to find themself. Krakauer’s desire to set the record straight and get the whole story drove him to write both these novels. These people that he writes about match his own personality so well that Men’s Journal states that “it’s tough to think of a better match than Jon Krakauer…and the story of Pat Tillman.
2) Army cover-up and confusion following Pat Tillman’s death effectively clouded the true events on that fateful day in April, 2004. Jon Krakauer’s purpose in creating this book was to uncover that truth. Throughout the novel he canvasses the opinions and viewpoints of Tillman’s life. The section about the fight at the Roundtable Pizzeria contains interview from friends of the individual Tillman mistakenly attacked. These opposing viewpoints of Pat’s character give the reader a more well-rounded view of him. Rather than reporting just one facet, Krakauer gives the whole truth. Similarly, he gets multiple opinions concerning the punishment of the teammates responsible for killing Tillman. Some of them said they were too severe, and others thought they were a mere slap on the wrist. These interviews show the truth of the discord between the members of the platoon, caused by the death of Pat Tillman. The most important opinion of the book is Tillman’s own. Krakauer’s analysis of his diaries and notes is crucial to understanding Pat’s mind and his decisions. For instance, the reader learns that joining the army wasn’t about glory for Tillman;