I’ve been waffling between super busy and insanely apathetic this last month. I’ve struggled with a lack of interest in getting things done and my reading goals suffered because of it… but I managed to re-arrange my living space, make progress on a knitting project, and read just a few things, including a non-fiction title that’s been on my “to read list” since 2012!
I first became interested in Nathaniel Fick’s story by watching HBO’s Generation Kill, a show inspired by the book a journalist, Evan Wright, wrote about his time embedded with Marines during the first phase of the Iraq War.
It says a lot about his character, that the reason Nathaniel Fick joined the Marines was because they didn’t say how great they were, but asked instead if he could be great enough to join them. They challenge applicants to be better than even they think they can be and, if they succeed, they will embody the values held by the Marine Corp and will become “The few, the proud, the Marines.” (no pun intended)
“You need discipline most, when it’s hardest to muster.”
― Nathaniel Fick
I listened to the audio version of this book, which is read by Nathaniel Fick, and while the narration is sometimes bland, the content more than makes up for those few moments. It is particularly enthralling to hear a Marine’s thoughts as he makes the decision to join up, goes through various levels of training, and finally goes to war following the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
While serving, Nathaniel Fick’s core objective was to take care of the men under him. I think we hear more about the abuses of power, than about those individuals who truly care to make a difference in the lives of the people they lead… and that’s terribly sad. It is an honor to lead others, be it on the battlefield or in the office, and those in positions of power should take care to remember that.
“Complex ideas must be made simple,
or they’ll remain ideas and never be put into action.”
― Nathaniel Fick
Having heard his story through his own words, I can only that the world could use more men like Nathaniel Fick.
On a recent trip to Nashville, I was able to get my hands on a copy of The Radium Girls at a used bookstore, yay!
This nonfiction title is about when radium was first discovered and how, as the new thing, we didn’t really understand the side effects it could have. The Radium Girls is about the women who worked in radium-dial factories and the serious effects this dangerous element had on them.
Can’t wait to crack this one open!
Meandering Michelle 