Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer
by Jenners • 09/10/2011 • 4.5 Stars, Audiobook, History, K Authors, W Titles • 31 Comments
Where Men Win Glory written by Jon Krakauer and narrated by Scott Brick
Publisher: Random House Audio, 2009
Length: 13 hours and 11 minutes
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Where I Got It: Audible
My Rating: 4.5 stars
It is appropriate to write this book review on the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. After all, if 9/11 hadn’t occurred, this book would have never been written and Pat Tillman would probably still be alive.
Does the name Pat Tillman ring any bells for you? When I first saw the subtitle of the book—The Odyssey of Pat Tillman—the name sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it. Upon reading the book description, I realized that he was the NFL player who had enlisted in the Army after 9/11 and was killed in action. I didn’t recall any specifics though, other than marveling that someone could have made that choice.
Tillman in his Arizona Cardinals uniform
Deeply troubled by the events of 9/11 (as so many of us were), Tillman did what he felt was right and honorable: join the Army to fight for and defend his country. Although 9/11 inspired many Americans to do the same thing, I suspect that most post-9/11 military recruits didn’t leave behind a $3.5 million football career. Tillman’s decision wasn’t done for public relations reasons either. He never publicly addressed his decision to join the Army—despite the Bush Administration’s desire to use him as a poster boy—and turned down all media requests regarding his enlistment and military service.
Pat Tillman in his Army Ranger uniform
I mention the subtitle for another reason too—the use of the word odyssey. “Odyssey” is such an appropriate word to describe Pat Tillman’s story. Not only do the definitions of odyssey aptly describe Tillman’s life…
1: a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune
2: an intellectual or spiritual wandering or quest
…but it is also a nod to the Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. Although Tillman’s journey does not mirror Odysseus’s journey, Krakauer quotes a variety of Greek tragedies and philosophical works (including Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra) at the start of the book’s various sections. As the book developed, I began finding these quotes almost prescient—as if they had been written specifically about Tillman.
Of course, that last statement sounds like hyperbole … because it is. Pat Tillman wasn’t a god or a mythical figure. He was a man with virtues and flaws like everyone else. However, to say that Tillman was “ordinary” doesn’t do him justice. He lived life on his own terms—following his internal moral compass and beliefs. He didn’t always play by the rules or follow the pack. This strong internal drive led to his success on the football field and his enlistment in the Army, a decision that caused him much angst. His journals reveal his struggles with his enlistment decision, leading as it did to his separation from his beloved wife Marie and bouts of frustration, disgust and anger at the Army and its practices.
The book isn’t a simple telling of Pat Tillman’s story however. It also provides a fairly concise history of the conflict in Afghanistan, the formation of the Taliban, the rise of Osama Bin Laden and why the events of 9/11 came to pass. By alternating Tillman’s personal history with the history of the conflict in Afghanistan/Iraq, the reader starts to feel a sense of inevitability as events that will slowly and inexorably lead to Tillman’s horrible death unfold … because as much as this book is about Tillman’s life, it is also very much about his death.
Pat Tillman’s death in Afghanistan was the result of friendly fire (what the Army terms “fratricide”). In other words, Tillman was killed by his fellow Army Rangers. Although fratricide is a fact of life in war (and, as Krakauer discusses, much more frequent than most of us probably realize), the Army chose to cloud the circumstances of Tillman’s death with cover-ups, fabrications and outright lies. Krakauer makes a good case that Tillman’s death was used to distract the American public from the public relations nightmare of Abu Ghraib. (In much the same way it used the Jessica Lynch story to distract Americans from how poorly the war in Iraq was progressing.) However, the truth of Tillman’s death didn’t make for a good enough story. After all, friendly fire doesn’t sound so heroic… but getting killed while fighting the Taliban does. So that was the initial story that the Army put out—both to the public and Tillman’s family. Until, of course, the truth came out and the powers that be needed to be protected and distanced from the cover-up.
As you can tell from the length of this review, this book affected me quite deeply. I found Tillman’s story to be so tragic. He tried so hard to do the right thing and made the ultimate sacrifice, yet the Army and the U.S. government pissed all over it. It sickened me to read about the Army’s actions, and the lies and misdirection that the Bush Administration practiced throughout the conflicts that followed 9/11. In addition, the seeming futility of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan (recent events notwithstanding) is disheartening and upsetting. This was a thought-provoking and upsetting read…and exactly why I think that people ought to read it. (Although I suspect that supporters of George W. Bush and his administration will not find much to like in this book.)
A word about the audiobook narration: I finally listened to a book narrated by Scott Brick—the “voice crush” of quite a few book bloggers (in particular Natalie of Book, Line and Sinker). I can see why Brick is a popular narrator. His voice is easy on the ears, and his reading of what was sometimes a technical book was flawless. I was riveted by his narration… particularly the sections in which Krakauer describes the events that led to Tillman’s death as well as the firefight in Nasiriyah that happened after Jessica Lynch’s rescue. I was on-the-edge of my seat listening to these sections, and it made the chaos and confusion of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan feel very real. After listening to the book, I’m glad I opted for this format over the printed copy.
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So intriguing. I remember reading an article about him. But this book sounds like a must read. I probably won’t buy the audio version, but I’m interesting in reading the hardcopy. Thanks for sharing and keeping his story alive but sharing it with others.
I think it is a must read for so many reasons. Not only for learning Pat Tillman’s story but for getting a sense of the realities of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and how the events leading up to 9/11 developed and played out. It is a must for understanding modern history as well as Tillman’s story.
this book sounds hard to read. I really appreciated your review. Off topic, my book club loved What Alice Forgot
I am soooo happy that your book club enjoyed What Alice Forgot. Whew! I won’t look an angry mob at my door!
a very well written post. I’m going to look for this one thanks for the recommendation.
It really got to me. It is hard to remain unaffected when reading it.
Oh, the Pat Tillman story breaks my heart because it’s the story of so many of our soldiers and their families who are disrespected by our government in so many ways. I don’t know if I would have the courage to read this book but I’m glad to read your thoughts on it.
It is unbelievable to me how they lied to his family and disrepected his wishes. And you just know it is the tip of the iceberg with how soliders are mistreated.
I read a lot about this in the news and didn’t really think I needed to read the book, but you’ve got me interested. Although I try to stay away from stuff about Bush that will just make me angry all over again!
I hear you about Bush! So much of the stuff just brought back all the negative things I thought about him and his administration. He just sickens me.
Wow, I remember a little bit about the original story, enough to recognize it by name but I never really focused on it. I have loved Krakauer for years and trust him with almost anything so this is bound to be pretty deep.
I have great faith and trust in Krakauer too. I’ve read all his books (and even his little “mini” book about Greg Mortensen … review coming). He has good journalistic skills and makes complex stories come together in a highly readable way.
Isn’t Krakauer just the bomb? You just have to love him. I have heard alot about this book, and while I never tracked down the audio at my library, I saw it at my mom’s library and convinced her to rent it. I can really hear the emotion in your words here Jenners, and now I know that I am going to have to get my hands on it. Nice job, really.
I’m a huge Krakauer fan. I’ve read everything he’s written so far and I’m always very involved and gripped by the stories he finds to write about. This would be a fantastic audio listen … though it will get your blood boiling. I can almost imagine your post now actually. It will raise your hackles.
I remember when this all hit the news, but I hadn’t realized that Jon Krakauer had written a book about it. I will have to see if my library has the audio.
I had heard about it when it first came out and being a huge Krakauer fan, I had it on my radar forever. I kept waiting to get it via Paperback Swap but then gave up and got it from Audible. Glad I went that route actually.
Sounds like this is a well put together book that gives lots to think about. I’m puzzled by “friendly fire”… I will be keeping this one in mind.
The book gives you lots of food for thought. And the description of how the friendly fire (both in Tillman’s case and in another incident) just boggled my mind.
I do love Jon K’s writing! Might give this one a go…
I’m a big Krakauer fan too. I’ve read all his books, and I think he has integrity and good journalistic skills.
Pat Tillman’s story is practically on the back of all the milk cartons in Arizona. But Jon Krakauer is so excellent, I wouldn’t hesitate to get back into the story to hear his version.
Krakauer mentions how Tillman is such a “folk” hero (for lack of a better word) in Arizona. And I have such trust and faith in Krakauer and his research that I’d read anything he writes about.
This sounds like an moving story about a brave and amazing person. It also sounds like an eye opener, in regards to the Bush Administration aspect of it.
Nice review.
I’ve never been a big fan of the Bush administration (to be honest) and this did nothing to change my mind. The way that whole war was handled and the agenda they had for Iraq just turns my stomach. And that this special man got caught up in this kind of horror just makes me sad and ill.
This story is entirely new to me, and you are right, it sounds tragic beyond belief. I can’t imagine the courage and altruism that it took for someone to give up a career of wealth and glory to go fight in the war, only to be killed (by friendly fire of all things) and then have it covered up by the government. It’s a travesty that this happened, and the government should be ashamed of itself. Tillman does sound like those mythic heroes of long past, doing the amazing and striking out where others fear to tread. This was a deeply impacting review, Jenners, and I think you did a fantastic job with it, despite the hard subject matter.
Thanks for your comment. It was book that hit me hard. I was so angry when I was listening to it. It was just so wrong what happened. And he did seem like the type of person that would have fit into one of those ancient heroic tales.
I remember Tillman quite well. His was the kind of courage rarely seen these days. This does sound like a powerful book and Scott Brick’s voice would be a bonus.
Pat Tillman was a fascinating subject for a book even if his life hadn’t gone the direction it did. And I’m definitely up for another audio narrated by Scott Brick!
I do remember Pat Tillman. I remember thinking about the bravery and courage it took for him to give up his career and join up in the fight….somehow giving up a million+ salary made an impression on me – although in typing that, I should be thinking about the bravery and courage that it takes for everyone to sign up to serve their country!
I was taught that the truth gets you in far less trouble than lies….something that apparently our government and leaders (both current and past) weren’t taught.
You would think that everyone — especially the government — would have learned by now that telling the truth is, in the end, easier and best. It was a disgrace what they did to this man and his family. It makes me so upset that he tried so hard to do right and was treated so poorly.