Paul C. (Paul-RLT) reviewed Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman on + 176 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A typical Krakauer book... well-researched, and looking at the main character from several points of view. Also, as usual, some informative digressions...in this book mainly re: Iraq/Afghanistan and al-Qaeda/Taliban. The portrait of Pat Tillman is that of a rugged individualist, an alpha male, who nevertheless had an emotional and intellectual side. The most interesting chapters deal with Army life and Pat's deployment into Afghanistan. There is considerable detail re: Tillman's death and subsequent events.
The lasting emotion for me is sadness for Pat, his wife Marie, and their families.
An excellent book.
The lasting emotion for me is sadness for Pat, his wife Marie, and their families.
An excellent book.
Tammy M. (Tamsbooks) reviewed Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book made me sad. And angry. It reveals the details of football player Pat Tillmans death by friendly fire in Afghanistan and the subsequent cover-up of the details of his death.
Few come off well in this tale. Particularly appalling to me was what appeared as incompetence at best and intentional deception at worst at numerous levels of the government, including the command structure of the Army Rangers. At times, Krakauer also seems appalled; theres almost a sense that he felt to keep a cold objectivity for events so strikingly suspicious would somehow be deception itself. At times, he steps away and simply lets the participants tell the story in their own words in direct quotes from interviews or court transcripts. It is as if he is trying to convey, I am not making this up.
While the story of Pat Tillmans life before his stint in the Army is a quick read, the players and places and events of the major engagements in Afghanistan are confusing and require careful attention. What is incontrovertible in this book is the confusion and terror that attend heated firefights. I felt great sadness as Krakauer outlined one small blunder after another that I knew would end in Tillmans death.
What a shame that the events in this book did not engender in me as deep a regard for the remarkable person that was Pat Tillman as it left me with a sense of disillusionment from what clearly appears as a cover-up. And that may be the greatest tragedy of all.
Few come off well in this tale. Particularly appalling to me was what appeared as incompetence at best and intentional deception at worst at numerous levels of the government, including the command structure of the Army Rangers. At times, Krakauer also seems appalled; theres almost a sense that he felt to keep a cold objectivity for events so strikingly suspicious would somehow be deception itself. At times, he steps away and simply lets the participants tell the story in their own words in direct quotes from interviews or court transcripts. It is as if he is trying to convey, I am not making this up.
While the story of Pat Tillmans life before his stint in the Army is a quick read, the players and places and events of the major engagements in Afghanistan are confusing and require careful attention. What is incontrovertible in this book is the confusion and terror that attend heated firefights. I felt great sadness as Krakauer outlined one small blunder after another that I knew would end in Tillmans death.
What a shame that the events in this book did not engender in me as deep a regard for the remarkable person that was Pat Tillman as it left me with a sense of disillusionment from what clearly appears as a cover-up. And that may be the greatest tragedy of all.
Angie A. (sh0rtstak) -
Helpful Score: 1
I had heard of Pat Tillman, knew he played for the Cardinals, and was killed in the war but that barely scratches the surface of what this book offered. It was an in-depth look at not only Tillman's life but at the military. No matter which way you lean politically, the unjust manner in how this case was handled is appalling. While I can say this book was thoroughly enjoyable, I have to admit there were times I had to put the book down and walk away.. to digest what I had just read.
This book is amazing. I can't say that I agreed with some of Pat Tillman's beliefs but knowing where he comes from gives more meaning to this story. This isn't a short, happy story. It's a detailed account of Pat through the good and bad. I think people need to be reminded of just how skewed the media can be and what real families are going through.
This book is amazing. I can't say that I agreed with some of Pat Tillman's beliefs but knowing where he comes from gives more meaning to this story. This isn't a short, happy story. It's a detailed account of Pat through the good and bad. I think people need to be reminded of just how skewed the media can be and what real families are going through.
I have read all of Jon Krakauer's books and would have to say this book is my favorite from him. He is writing as journalist, but at the same time he writes about Pat Tillman as if he knew the man. It made me feel like I understood Pat Tillman better than just reading articles about him. I feel like he did some justice for this very private and very extraordinary person. You get a real sense of the tragedy of Pat Tillman dying at such a young age. He seemed to me that he was a very caring, loving and loyal man to his wife, family and close friends. If more 'celebrities' that our children look up to could be like him and for the fact, more everyday people could be more like him, we could have a better world. I highly recommend this book and 'Boots On The Ground By Dusk' by Pat Tillman's mother Mary Tillman.
This book was truly an eye opening journey of the middle east conflict as well as the anguishing story of Pat Tillman. He was a true American....a true American HERO !!!
I have enjoyed Krakauer's books in the past and think he is an excellent writer. However, this book wasn't as good as his other works, in my opinion. He was heavy-handed with partisanism. It took away from Pat Tillman's story.
A very compelling and well written and researched book
Patty K. (radiology) reviewed Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman on + 8 more book reviews
wonderful book about a brave man who gave his all for his country!
Great book. Sad turn of events. Tillman was a great guy. The deception in our government is rampant.
Didn't get the book to find out that Krakauer hates President Bush and thinks Al Gore was robbed of the presidency. Needed more about Tillman and less about Krakauer politics.
