B L O G S
These blogs are reflections on work that I prepared for ENGL 280 - The Journalistic Essay. The first blog is my initial impression of the book "The Endless War" by Dexter Filkins, which a group of classmates and I are reading over the course of the semester. The second blog is a quick write-up about who I chose to profile for our first essay assignment. Both are quick, informal pieces strictly for reflection purposes.
The Endless War: My First Impression
The Endless War is a great read so far. I am really enjoying the different descriptions Dexter Filkins offers, descriptions that Americans aren't used to hearing or reading about. The author has a direct, almost dry way of telling about his travels, but keeps the reader informed while doing so. He will explain something that an average reader wouldn't normally know about, as far as the region is concerned, and then tell us how it is from his perspective and often from the perspective of others. I think it's remarkable that his first time traveling to Afghanistan was in 1998. Even more remarkable is that was 13 years ago, the nation has seen war for a very long time.
I now understand what Jessica and Sarah were talking about in book club a couple of weeks ago; the author jumps around quite a bit and it could be easy for a reader to get a little bit lost. At this point, I think he is just telling different stories about what he has seen in different places, and will probably be able to tie it all back together later on in the book.
While Afghanistan and Iraq are certainly different wars, they are undoubtedly similar and one can see that through just the first parts of this book. Filkins paints an awesome picture in his writing, which helps me realize the severity of each of these occupations and the struggles that the Iraqis and Afghans face every day.
"Iraq was filled with people like Yacob Yusef. They weren't survivors as much as they were leftovers." Filkins, p. 72
"Murder and torture and sadism: it was part of Iraq. It was in people's brains." Filkins, p. 73
Those are a couple of things I underlined in a really dark part of the book. I am looking forward to finding out more about his experiences in these war battered areas. It is really nothing Americans have ever seen. End blog here.
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Who I am going to interview, and what I might ask
I decided (with the help of Jessica P.) to interview my friend's father, Bob Gallagher. I plan to tell the story of his battle with drug addiction, the experiences he had hitting rock bottom and his recent ascent back to happiness leading a normal life. I think this will be an interesting piece because his story has so many ups and downs. Additionally, I think people will be able to relate to a story that hits so close to home. He is a family man, former head hockey coach at Oliver Ames High School (from my hometown), hard worker and a generally great guy with a great sense of humor.
Not only do I think the general public would be able to relate to this story, I also know that many people from my hometown would be excited to read it. I have flirted with the idea of trying to get it published in the Easton Journal if I get his approval, and if I really love the outcome.
Possible Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to drugs? Specifically, what did you use?
2.) When did you realize it was time to seek help?
3.) Tell me what it was like when you were asked to step down as OAHS Head Coach.
4.) How hard was it to recover? What did you take away from the recovery process?
5.) How have you learned to cope with addiction on a day-to-day basis? What helps?
The Endless War is a great read so far. I am really enjoying the different descriptions Dexter Filkins offers, descriptions that Americans aren't used to hearing or reading about. The author has a direct, almost dry way of telling about his travels, but keeps the reader informed while doing so. He will explain something that an average reader wouldn't normally know about, as far as the region is concerned, and then tell us how it is from his perspective and often from the perspective of others. I think it's remarkable that his first time traveling to Afghanistan was in 1998. Even more remarkable is that was 13 years ago, the nation has seen war for a very long time.
I now understand what Jessica and Sarah were talking about in book club a couple of weeks ago; the author jumps around quite a bit and it could be easy for a reader to get a little bit lost. At this point, I think he is just telling different stories about what he has seen in different places, and will probably be able to tie it all back together later on in the book.
While Afghanistan and Iraq are certainly different wars, they are undoubtedly similar and one can see that through just the first parts of this book. Filkins paints an awesome picture in his writing, which helps me realize the severity of each of these occupations and the struggles that the Iraqis and Afghans face every day.
"Iraq was filled with people like Yacob Yusef. They weren't survivors as much as they were leftovers." Filkins, p. 72
"Murder and torture and sadism: it was part of Iraq. It was in people's brains." Filkins, p. 73
Those are a couple of things I underlined in a really dark part of the book. I am looking forward to finding out more about his experiences in these war battered areas. It is really nothing Americans have ever seen. End blog here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who I am going to interview, and what I might ask
I decided (with the help of Jessica P.) to interview my friend's father, Bob Gallagher. I plan to tell the story of his battle with drug addiction, the experiences he had hitting rock bottom and his recent ascent back to happiness leading a normal life. I think this will be an interesting piece because his story has so many ups and downs. Additionally, I think people will be able to relate to a story that hits so close to home. He is a family man, former head hockey coach at Oliver Ames High School (from my hometown), hard worker and a generally great guy with a great sense of humor.
Not only do I think the general public would be able to relate to this story, I also know that many people from my hometown would be excited to read it. I have flirted with the idea of trying to get it published in the Easton Journal if I get his approval, and if I really love the outcome.
Possible Questions:
1.) How were you introduced to drugs? Specifically, what did you use?
2.) When did you realize it was time to seek help?
3.) Tell me what it was like when you were asked to step down as OAHS Head Coach.
4.) How hard was it to recover? What did you take away from the recovery process?
5.) How have you learned to cope with addiction on a day-to-day basis? What helps?