57 pages • 1 hour read
Jon KrakauerWhere Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Tillman’s Journal
Tillman’s journal is one of the most important pieces of firsthand knowledge in the book. Moreover, it’s a symbol of Tillman’s growth as a man, especially after his life-changing fight in high school. As hyper-masculine and physical as Tillman was, he was equally receptive, emotional, thoughtful, and non-reactionary. Many wanted to paint him in a specific light, to further enforce masculine roles within American society and to strengthen nationalistic support of the country’s war. Within his journals, however, Tillman’s true voice prevails, expressing his dictate for the military, for the media, and for those who wanted to make him a symbol for things with which he disagreed.
The Übermensch
Tillman’s adherence to virtue and integrity are exceptional. They’re so extreme, in fact, that Krakauer compares him to Nietzsche’s famous philosophical übermensch a next-level, more evolved person. Surrounded by those seeking material gain, Tillman only wished to be as good as possible. He didn’t see himself as better than anyone, eagerly seeking connection and communication with anyone. Tillman repeatedly chose to maintain his integrity in the face of material and social gains. In an unprecedented choice, he turned down a multimillion-dollar contract with the St. Louis Rams to stay with his beloved Arizona Cardinals because they believed in him when no one else did. Similarly, he turned down another such contract to stay with the Army because ’of his steadfast dedication to his own commitments. Although his commitments led to his death, Krakauer is careful to assign blame to the bureaucratic policies and manipulations by the government and the archaic traditions of the U.S. military. Finally, Krakauer’s depiction of Tillman as an übermensch represents a fascinating take on the “Great Man” theory of history. To Krakauer, the great men and women of this era of history are not the generals or politicians, but rather individuals like Tillman who, rather than bend history to their will, are destroyed by it.
The Drug Trade in Afghanistan
The production and trade of opium in Afghanistan is a huge motivator for the ensuing conflicts that compose much of the book. Beginning with the scorched earth policy of the Soviet Union, the external influence on the largely tribal country created the perfect conditions for a violence-ridden dependence on the heroin trade. Afghan tribes had intricate, decades-old irrigation systems to make the farmlands viable. The area is rugged and without much rain. When the Soviets burned the farmlands, these canals were ruined. Poppies, however, are heartier growers than the vegetables cultivated by the remote Afghan villagers. The crop became the only thing the farmlands could support; thus, heroin became the only financial support for these agricultural communities. The rise of warlords due to the new drug trade subsequently brought chaos and violence. The Taliban were formed in reaction to this violence, to bring more order and calm to Afghan communities.
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By Jon Krakauer
