Paul Rieckhoff

[CarolNYC]

I don't know if you guys have ever discussed Paul or his book Chasing Ghosts, but I went to see him at a book reading/signing at the Strand in Manhattan this week and was really impressed.

He's really a wonderful guy. And the book is great. Of course, as a Wes Clark supporter, it was nice to hear him bring up the General a few times during the Q&A period....He'd just met and spent time with Clark the weekend before.

Anyway, I totally recommend the book...Check it out here: www.chasingghosts.com ....And I really admire the work he's been doing with IAVA.

I just wanted to share those thoughts becuase I really was so impressed with him.

[Monkeyman]

1. Paul is a good person and a brother vet

Met him in the defence of Murtha

[CarolNYC]

2. Paul live blogging

BTW, Paul will be live blogging at General Clark's blog tomorrow (Tuesday) night at 8PM ET, in case anyone wants to talk to him....

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/8200

[Major Hogwash]

3. I think I'll have to get his book now since you recommended it, Carol.

Rieckhoff is a decent guy, a real stand up guy, and I think he has a really good take on what is going on in Iraq from what I have read of the reviews of his book.

Thanks for taking the time to make this book recommendation, CarolNYC.

[CarolNYC]

4. I don't think you'll regret it

I really think you will enjoy the book and everyone should buy it....

For one, a portion of the proceeds go to the Hope for New Veterans Project, a program helping homeless Iraq and Afghanistan vets.

And for two, it's really a great read. It's funny. It's sad. It's thoughtful and thought provoking.

Look at this post he made about the book on his live blog last night:

"I picked all the quotes to start the chapters off. Big fight with my editors to get that done. I had few others in there, Eminem lyrics for example, that we couldn't get legally approved in time. I tried to keep the book moving. One of my favorite writers is Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club). He once said that he tries to write books for people who don't read books. I tried to do the same thing. I wanted to write a book that read like a conversation. I wanted the language and style to be accessible for everyone--especially young people. And I wanted it to be a quick read. I think I accomplished that. A cool note: This book was the first one my dad has ever read in his life. He never went to college and is a real blue-collar guy. And he read every word. That was one of my proudest moments as an author."

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/8216#comment-128302

I love that story...and he really did succeed in what he set out to do in the book.

He was a gem during the live blog, too....In spite of site problems (the site crashed twice while he was on...drastic, immediate spikes in visitor numbers), he hung around for three hours.

Without a doubt, he's one of the good guys and he's fighting the good fight.

Check out the website for his book, where you can listen to him read the first chapter:
www.chasingghosts.com

And, of course, IAVA:
www.iava.org

Let me know what you think when you read it.

[CarolNYC]

5. Paul is blogging at dkos today....

If anyone wants to visit...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/14/74637/0622