![WG Spock[5]](http://unfinishedperson.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/wg-spock5.jpg?w=500 "WG Spock[5]")
This week’s Weekly Geeks was to either choose a Memorial Day theme and/or a summer theme. For (my) longer explanation, see here. I decided to focus on the first one.
1. Memorial Day: Favorite war books, movies: Probably my favorite book about war when I was a teenager was The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich by William L. Shirer. I just remember being impressed by not only the breadth of Shirer’s research, but also the details about history about which I knew nothing. Later in college, I believe, I read The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman, which, of course, is about World War I. To me, any understanding of World Wars I and II begins with these two books.
As for movies, to me, there is only one war movie that must be watched on or near Memorial Day (which reminds me we need to watch it), or even on June 6:
The reason I chose this video was two-fold, not only because it is from the movie, but also because it uses the song “One” from Metallica, which was based off the book, Johnny Get Your Gun by Dalton Trumbo. The book is another of my favorite books on war, because the way it questions if war is worth fighting for “freedom” and whose idea of freedom. Of course, each of us may have our own answer to that, but Trumbo’s story of a soldier who loses his arms, his legs, his sight and hearing in wartime definitely puts all of that into perspective.
I’m going to leave you all with first a link to the original video from Metallica’s “One,” which has clips from the movie Johnny Get Your Gun…
..and one of my favorite songs from the 1970s that summarizes my own thoughts and feelings about war:
I chose to read a book called His Edge, by Wayne Harding on memorial day long weekend.
This plot is perfect for a movie! Where are you, Steven Spielberg?!
You have to check it out its the most amazing book with a great story line that you will not be able to put down.
I always think of Elaine from Seinfeld when I hear that song.
I forget things so easily and sad to say had to Google to what you were referring, but once I did, I got it. It might have taken a while, but finally I got it. Classic.
I never knew “One” had anything to do with the Trumbo book. I agree it is one of the best war books. I never saw the film, because I don’t watch war movies. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a happy week! Rikki
I never saw the film either myself. So you don’t watch war movies, period? I don’t usually watch war movies, but some are just too good to pass on, such as Saving Private Ryan.