I received my draft notice right after graduation from college and had three months before going into the Army in September to think about it. Tim O'Brien armycollegedraft Change image and share on social
A small, seemingly inconsequential event can determine a life. Tim O'Brien determineeventinconsequential Change image and share on social
I learned that moral courage is harder than physical courage. Tim O'Brien couragehardlearn Change image and share on social
Vietnam was the defining event for my generation. It spilled over into all facets of American life - into music, into the pulpits, in churches of our country. It spilled over into the city streets, police forces. And even if you were born late in the generation, Vietnam was still part of your childhood. Tim O'Brien americanbearchildhood share on social
I hated the draft, but at the same time, it's something that made every American take war seriously. Tim O'Brien americandrafthate Change image and share on social
When I have a book I enjoy, I'm partly in the book. I'm not just observing it. Tim O'Brien bookenjoyobserve Change image and share on social
In Iraq and Afghanistan, our soldiers signed up intentionally. That's a huge difference from the largely conscripted army of my era. Tim O'Brien afghanistanarmyconscript Change image and share on social
A bullet can kill the enemy, but a bullet can also produce an enemy, depending on whom that bullet strikes. Tim O'Brien bulletdependenemy Change image and share on social
In the summer of 1954, after several years in Austin, Minnesota, our family moved across the state to the small, rural town of Worthington, where my dad became regional manager for a life insurance company. To me, at age 7, Worthington seemed a perfectly splendid spot on the earth. Tim O'Brien ageaustincompany share on social
Poetry is not an issue of form and enjambments. Poetry, as the word is classically used, has to do with sound and sense. It can be rhyme. It can be rhythm, pace, breath. Tim O'Brien breathclassicallyenjambment Change image and share on social