I feel sheepish for not writing about this earlier. Ash Gilbertson, a friend of mine, a guy who spent a lot of time in Iraq covering the war, has just released a booked called Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
Its an amazing book. Ash lays it all out. His images show just how brutal the war is for all sides. His words, to me, rank with the best of war writing.
We went up for the book launch in The NYC a few days ago. Many many many drinks were consumed. Lots of talking and hanging with people in the photo scene. Crazy night. I ran into Dexter Filkins, the Polk Award-winning journalist for the Times. What he said to me takes the cake and I'll end with it.
We were outside smoking and joking. All of us had copious amounts of booze flowing through our system. Dexter asked how I knew Ash. I related the story of knowing him through a friend I made in 2004. I happened to spend that year down in southwest Baggers, often running around al-Dora.
"Man, you're lucky you weren't killed," he said a smirk across his face.
"Yeah, no kidding, man."
We walked back to the bar.
3 comments:
THE EXPUNGEMENT OF SIN
What shall I do, my darling? This
Is five years since began
This awful war, and scourge of bliss:
How to commemorate the span?
The answer, John, is hie thee to
The river, plunging head
Beneath the wet, and never do
Release expunging but when dead.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Merry x-mas in advace
Xango Juice
Post a Comment