MILITARY

‘We Band of Brothers’

Soldiers in training might not immediately appreciate the value of literature. But professor Elizabeth Samet has found that in time many come to realize the power of words.

By Jennie Yabroff | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Nov 1, 2007 | Updated: 4:08  p.m. ET Nov 1, 2007

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  • Posted By: CSPAN @ 01/29/2008 4:57:35 PM

    WHEN I NEED TO DO SOME SOUL SEARCHING I ALWAYS TURN TO"LITERARY CLASSICS TO FIND AND UNDERSTAND THE ANSWERS THAT COME FROM MY HEART ...C.SANCHEZ JR

  • Posted By: zari @ 11/02/2007 3:25:49 AM

    THE MOST IMPOTANT SUBJECT TO TEACH OUR PRECIOUS SOLDIERS .IS THE HISTORY OF RELIGION,AD HISTORY OF THE WORLD.WAR IS AN ART TOO.KNOWLEG OF HISTORY OF WAR ,CAN BE A GREAT HELP TO WIN A WAR. OUR SOLDEIRS MUST BE INFORMED HOW THE ENEMY IS CONSTANTLY CHANGNG TACTICS AND COLOR.WE ARE FACING A NEW AGE WAR.MANY THANKS TO OUR USA TROOPS AND ISRAELY SOLDEIRS TO GIVE THEIR LIFE ,FOR LIBERTY:WITH RESPECT ZARI NAMDAR; www.zarinamdar.com

    • Posted By: civicus83 @ 11/04/2007 9:44:16 AM

      I just can't understand why people use caps-lock when writing. Is it to emphasize just how important their comments are or how annoying they are?

      • Posted By: tirdad @ 11/17/2007 3:54:21 AM

        I LIKE TO WRITE IN CAPS-LOCK,BECAUSE IT IS EASIER TO READ. AZ AN AMERICAN FREE ARTIST,I LIKE TO BRAKE ROULS.I CAME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR LIBERTY!AZ AN X IRANIAN MUSLIM IT IS CLEAR ,THE MUSLIMS ARE ABUSING THE STATUE OF LIBERTY! ONE THING ISLAM DOESN'T HAVE IS GRACE AND FINNESS!IN ISLAM FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS FORBITTEN!MOHAMMAD WAS A CRUEL BARBARIC LEADER!THE PROOF IS IN THE POUDING! LONG LIVE OUR US TROOPS AND ISRAELY SOLDEIRS. ZARI NAMDAR www.zrinamdar.com

  • Posted By: curlyjkhy @ 11/06/2007 7:15:20 PM

    I have to say that I wish i would have had this teacher in high school. The most important asset for any soldier is the ability to think. Literature is the one constant in this world what ever the political stance may be in any country. If a soldier does not have the hopes and dreams that come from reading literature then how can he or she be expected to fight to defend the hopes and dreams of a nation.

  • Posted By: Evander @ 11/06/2007 6:50:34 PM

    Comment: Dalton Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun" should be on the required reading list.

  • Posted By: Evander @ 11/06/2007 6:40:31 PM

    How about Dalton Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun" as required reading?
    Jay White, Singapore

  • Posted By: regardezvous @ 11/04/2007 7:17:24 PM

    It is not for nothing that the poet Shelley wrote that poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
    Literature takes all the theories, philosophies, policies and whatnot, and puts them to the tempo of the real human emoitions circumstantial with a specific time and place and situation. Literature is the world in miniature and definitely helps anyone not only to think better, but to encourge those a step away from complete cynicism that humans can produce beautiful and peaceful things still.

  • Posted By: sgtslater @ 11/02/2007 4:14:40 PM

    We warriors constantly seek to better ourselves, in body and mind. The trick is to keep all things in perspective. Reading not only provides solace in combat, but increases resolve to explore alternatives and appreciate our differences.

  • Posted By: sgtslater @ 11/02/2007 4:11:37 PM

    We warriors constantly seek to better ourselves, in body and mind. The trick is to keep all things in perspective. Reading not only provides solace in combat, but increases resolve to explore alternatives and appreciate our differences.

  • Posted By: DrAtomic @ 11/02/2007 3:40:11 PM

    The more enlightened the mind the less likely that someone will view another human life as other than valuable and worth saving. And perhaps to think long and hard before they are forced to take that life. There will always be reasons for killing, that is a sad fact of life. But when you think of that life as having lived like you do, loved like you do and having once been a living being it makes it less likely you will take that life. neelessl;y

  • Posted By: Agricola @ 11/02/2007 1:50:15 PM

    Literature is the heartbeat of a nation and a culture. It is about virtue and vice and the difference between them. It is applied philosophy and applied theology. Our best warriors are poet-warriors.

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