It's often difficult to get perspective on your own stories, on your own experiences, without talking them through with someone who is genuinely interested in thinking about them. And that's the key. Phil Klay difficultexperiencegenuinely Change image and share on social
There's something odd about working 24/7, being consumed with everything that's happening in Iraq, and then coming back to the country that ordered you over there only to realize that a lot of Americans are not really paying attention. Phil Klay americanattentionback share on social
I ended up going to Dartmouth, and I did Marine Officer Candidate School during my junior summer. Phil Klay candidatedartmouthend Change image and share on social
Marines and soldiers don't issue themselves orders; they don't send themselves overseas. United States citizens elect the leaders who send us overseas. Phil Klay citizenelectissue Change image and share on social
I started with things that I was troubled by or confused by or interested in, and then I wrote stories to try to puzzle my way through it. But the question is not how to represent war, because it's an abstract thing that's felt differently for all the characters. Phil Klay abstractcharacterconfuse share on social
A great writer is a great writer... Tolstoy was not a woman, but 'Anna Karenina' is still a pretty good book. Phil Klay annabookgood Change image and share on social
I think that just because you've been through an experience doesn't make you the ultimate arbiter of what it means. We figure things out; we work things out through the help of other people who can engage with us but also be intelligently critical. Phil Klay arbitercriticalengage share on social
I don't believe in any Greatest Generation. I believe in great events. They sweep ordinary people up, expose them to extremes of human behavior and unimaginable tests of integrity and courage, and then deposit them back on the home front. Phil Klay backbehaviorcourage share on social