http://preface.calpoly.edu/pdf/archives/2002/biography.pdf
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tim O'Brien grew up in a small town in Minnesota, called Worthington. Although, he was born in Austin, Minnesota on October 1, 1946. He enrolled at Macalester college and graduated in 1968 with a BA in political science and a draft notice. O'Brien was against war, but reported for service and was sent to Vietnam. His tour of duty lasted from 1969 to 1970. After Vietnam he became a graduate at Harvard and was one of the very few Vietnam veterans there at the time. He got the opportunity to do an intership at the Wasington Post, he eventually left Harvard to become a newspaper reporter. O'Brien's career as a reporter gave way to his fiction writing when he published his memoir, If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Send Me Home. One of his quotes that really helped me understand why he writes was, " I didn't get into writing to make money or get famous or any of that. I got into it to hit hearts, and man, when i get letters not just from the soldiers but from their kids, especially their kids, it makes it all worthwhile."
http://preface.calpoly.edu/pdf/archives/2002/biography.pdf
http://preface.calpoly.edu/pdf/archives/2002/biography.pdf
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I wonder if he got into Harvard on his own merits or because he was a veteran? Either way he became a great writer.
ReplyDeleteI have to question the same thing as Kevin. But either way that was great that he went back to school apon returning home. I'm sure that wasn't easy at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that he is writing for a purpose and not for the money or fame. In my opinion the authors that write for a purpose or a cause are much better writers because they write with passion.
ReplyDeleteSounds like this person is a true righter, writers should not write for money, they should write because they have a passion and something that would be educational or liked by others.
ReplyDeleteThat uqote is really good and I think that is what every profession should be about, its not about the money or fame, but the lives we touch that makes it worthwhile. Its lucky for him he only had to be there a year, but sad at all the stories he can tell just from the short time he was .
ReplyDeleteI didn't know he was actually a war veteran, I thought he was just an author. That said, it definitely gives his writing an edge because he has a first-hand account of war.
DeleteI really like that quote, i like how he wasn't trying to be famous but he just wanted to touch the hearts of people.
DeleteIt sounds like he was a very intelligent man and he really enjoyed writing and doing what he loved.
DeleteThat is awesome that he loved writing so much.
DeleteSounds like a very humble and educated writer. Even after being in the vietnam war he was able to focus on his studies at Harvard and succeed which is amazing.
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