Where Men Win Glory

In Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, Jon Krakauer shows a great deal of respect for his subject, while exposing the heartbreaking mistakes of the U.S. military that led to Tillman’s death. The book is similar to Krakauer’s Into the Wild in its account of an idealistic young man who met a tragic end because he was inspired to make a huge life change motivated by pure intentions.  Krakauer is clearly intrigued by these men’s paths and therefore wants to probe their personalities.  As evidenced by Into the Wild, the author handles such a story exceptionally well.

Pat Tillman’s character is fully fleshed out here. Jolted by the events of 9-11, Tillman gave up a successful career in the NFL—walking away from millions of dollars—to help eradicate terrorism by serving in the Army Rangers.  This was not a decision that Tillman took lightly; he was a thoughtful, passionate, and intricate person.  The author’s sources include Tillman’s diary entries and interviews with family members.  Krakauer also spent time in Afghanistan amidst U.S. forces. The book is not a straight biography, since the narrative switches between the life of Tillman and the developments of the war in Afghanistan.  Krakauer covers the history of the conflict as well as military maneuvering prior to the incident that took Tillman’s life.

Readers who liked the author’s previous books will probably appreciate this one as well.  It should also appeal to those who are interested in history and current events.  This is a well-written book that educates the reader and evokes a range of emotions.

-Elizabeth