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"The Good Soldiers"
In January of 2007, a battalion of 800 United States Army soldiers from Fort Riley, Kansas, known as the 2–16,
prepared to deploy to Baghdad to be part of a campaign to quell sectarian violence known as “the surge.”
Determined to be the ones who would make a difference in this war, they thought of themselves as “the good soldiers.”
Very few diplomats or politicians were willing to visit them in Rustamiya, a place where garbage, roadside bombs, and violence were a daily fact of life.
One civilian chose to travel with them so that he might tell their stories. David Finkel,
a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with the Washington Post, spent eight months on base with the men of the 2-16.
His book, "The Good Soldiers", takes readers inside the war to witness first hand what these young men endure on the front lines in Iraq.
His book is heartbreaking, challenging, honest, and has been called, “the best book on war since the Illiad.”
When Century College's Common Book Committee considered nominations for the 2010-11 common book, it was agreed that the time had come to discuss
the many sacrifices made by our soldiers and vets, and that "The Good Soldiers" is the book that should start this very important conversation.
David Finkel's Century Visit
Join us on Tuesday, September 21st, in the W. Campus Theater at 7 pm, when David Finkel discusses "The Good Soldiers". Admission is free.
Media Appearances & Interviews
Contact
We would love to hear how you are using the Century College Common book. If you have any comments or
questions, please contact:
Amanda Olson
Chair, Common Book Committee
651.747.4058
