A Soldier and Harry - In Iraq

[cdayr]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboyminn at ...> wrote:
>
> I was watching a PBS television special based on a book 
> by various soldiers from Iraq. After their tours, they 
> wrote about their experiences. Most of it was very 
> profound and moving. Intercut with their personal 
> stories were interviews with the soldier/authors.
> 
> During one of these interviews, a Lieutenant Colonel
> said when he was first assigned to Iraq, he used to
> read history and social/political/cultural commentaries
> on the region so he could better understand the conflict.
> 
> But the war drew on, and his burden became heavier, 
> until they became almost too much to bear, he turned
> to ...dramatic pause... Harry Potter. Partly because
> his children were reading Harry Potter and it gave
> them a point of connection and conversation. 
> 
> As the interview closed, he said that 'the only time I'm
> not in Iraq, is when I'm with Harry'.
> 
> I found that very profound. I was deeply move that Harry
> could help remove this person from the horrors of war 
> and the terrible stress that he is under, and give him
> a few moments of peace.
> 
> For what it's worth.
> 
> Steve/bboyminn
>

I saw that same program and was equally touched. There is something 
so moving about a huge, fatigues-wearing soldier in the midst of war 
speaking so candidly about needing to escape into the Wizarding 
World. He reminded me why I love the books so much- as a way to 
exist in another world for a little while.

Also, in general, I thought the program was a fascinating mix of art 
and war, and the vivid fiction and poetry writing brought me to Iraq 
in a way that news reports never do.

Tim O'Brien, who spoke on the show as one of the authors from the 
Vietnam Era, is one of my favorite authors of all time. His 
novel "In the Lake of the Woods" I read at least once a year. His 
book "The Things They Carried" is, for me, the piece of literature 
that evoked the realities of war more than any other work I've read 
(or seen). Another book suggestion from me...

Celia, glad I was not the only Potter fan to see that program