Ernie Pyle
Indiana University’s School of Journalism has posted a number of Ernie Pyle’s columns from the Second World War. Please do go explore the 40 odd columns that they’ve posted as there’s almost no better way to get a feel for just what the greatest generation accomplished during their time in the sun. It’s also instructive to see what our Nation was once capable of pulling off in the face of sustained hardship that makes the recent terrorist wars seem like such small potatos by comparison. The sheer muscularity of their convictions is truly breathtaking.
For those who prefer audio, IU has provided recordings of the columns read by Professor Owen Johnson who really should investigate a side career in spoken audio. He brings to the columns a voice that closely matches what I’ve always imagined Ernie Pyle himself would have sounded like were he still alive today. Tragically, he isn’t, but perhaps this can be the next best thing. For those equipped with iTunes, I’ve set up an rss feed that you can use to download and listen to the recordings.
Please do go read the whole thing (or listen if that’s your bent)
P.S. Now that you’ve read the master, go read his modern day equivalent, Michael Yon.