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The Intern and a Good Book


Yes, I am a 46 year-old intern.  I was not proud of this title until today.  A colleague and I were working on a project for the New York Times’ Library when he asked me, “Why did you go pick up a book at the New York Public Library?  Couldn’t they have sent a messenger?”  “Yes, they could have,” I responded, since my supervisor offered to send a messenger.  But she thought I might like to go over there and walk around the building.  She was right.  I am getting a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.  Of course I’d like the opportunity to walk over to - and through - that library.

Then I said to my colleague, “You know, it’s all a learning experience, every bit of what I am doing.” 

After I said it, I realized how true it is: the idea of continuous learning has been a trusty thread, subtly tying my days together. Just this morning I was reading a book of short stories titled,  “Redeployment,” by Phil Klay.  It happens to be the most recent book we’re featuring for the next discussion of the Gotham Book Club (an online chat with author participation).  The author is a former United States Marine who served in Iraq, and a graduate of Dartmouth.  These explicitly crafted fiction stories must be influenced by Klay’s experience in Iraq – a war I’ve only heard about from a journalist’s reporting or Carrie Mathison, Claire Dane's character on cable T.V.  I imagine there are many people out there like me with little to no real-life connection to military service.  My father was in the Navy before I was born, more than half a century ago.  My mother’s brother was in Vietnam; he died in 1985 from AIDS. 

This book is raw and refined, invasive and almost matter-of-fact about things atrocious and commonplace.  I put off starting the short stories, afraid I would be afraid.  And I was right.  I am afraid - and horrified and disturbed.  But this is an important book, one that I believe people in our country need to read and think about. While the collection of stories is fiction, I have to imagine that some of what was written - actually happened in one form or another.  Phil Klay is an artful writer, willing to put it all on the line for the reader.  Something he already did for our country.

 If we're merely paying attention as we go about our days, there's always something to learn. But seeking out information, however we do it, can be rewarding in many ways.  Reading this book has changed me - a necessary byproduct of learning.  I imagine that's one goal of any author: to give the reader something to consider that may change the way they see things.  I see and consider our military in a profoundly different light.  Thanks Phil Klay, for this book and your service.

Join us on April 30th at 3:00 p.m. – when we will discuss this book with its author – Phil Klay.

Here's the link: http://www.gothamnetworking.com/m/book/home/ 

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