The Unforgiving Minute

Sex is not the problem, but for some people sexism itself has become eroticized, and that, yes, is a problem. Good flirting is the kind where they see us. I want to be seen. There are none so emotionally blind as those who look at a person standing right in front of them and see a mirror, not a window. But we have apparently created a world where it is incredibly difficult for a man to desire a woman and treat her as a human being at the same time.

So no, we are not trying to outlaw sexuality. We are trying to liberate it. You ask how the species is going to survive if we have to constantly check for consent before we get to the means of reproduction, but I promise you that the species has more pressing problems than that. If femme and female citizens were allowed to actually articulate our own desires then we could skip a few lessons and move straight to the advanced level of learning-to-treat-women-as-people, the one where we talk about managing our feelings like grown-ups.

I understand that you are terrified of rejection. Rejection is the worst. So awful that an entire architecture of quiet violence, shame, and blame has been built up to help men avoid it. That confusion is not human nature. Men who believe they cannot change are already being shown up every day by the growing number of their fellow male humans who have changed, who are changing. We can rewrite the sexual script of humanity. Unfortunately, we are in one of those rare and curious moments where we have to do something unfair and hurtful in order to answer decades of pain and injustice.

We tried to ask nicely for our humanity and dignity. We tried to put it gently. Nobody gave a shit. This is what happens when women actively place their own needs first. The whole damn world freaks out. You were taught that sex was a commodity you could acquire by bargaining, badgering, pestering, or force. You were never told that is was wrong to do these things. Well, you were told, but not often, or not by anyone who mattered. That all feels unfair to you, though it was far less fair — and a lot more dangerous — to us. It also feels unfair that some men who have hurt women will be made examples of in their communities and workplaces while others who have done the same will escape, for now.

It feels unfair that the cost of mistakes you made in your youth may well be professional respect, job security, money, and power. But it has been a lot less fair for a lot longer for people who were hurt and humiliated, disrespected and degraded, and who were expected to choose between shameful silence and blowing up their careers or communities by speaking out.

For so long, women have been confessing to crimes men have committed and being punished accordingly. You are wondering if forgiveness is possible. If amnesty is on the horizon. The answer will eventually be yes. By marching so many terrains, he has covered the subjects central to every life: He has also produced a page-turner, a brutally honest account of West Point life, the innocence-abandoned experiences of an American abroad at Oxford, and ultimately an indelible story of life and death on the battlefield. In words his squadmates might recognize, I recommend The Unforgiving Minute without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.

But The Unforgiving Minute is far from heavy and never maudlin. This self-effacing frankness makes his coming- of- age-in-uniform memoir a charmer…. Mullaney, a master storyteller, plunges the depths of self-doubt, endurance, and courage. This is a book written under fire-a lyrical, spellbinding tale of war, love, and courage. With unflinching candor, Mullaney depicts his evolution from idealistic teenager to reflective veteran who retains his conviction and patriotism once his innocence is lost.

His emotional, often funny memoir takes us to the U. Military Academy at West Point, through the rigors of Army Ranger school, then on to drunken debates and romance at Oxford, where he had a Rhodes Scholarship…. The book [is] a departure from traditionally dry military memoirs —it reads like a work of literature…. This is a classic coming-of-age memoir and a valuable insight into post-Sept. Entertaining, balanced, and graceful, The Unforgiving Minute is a powerful narrative of purpose, responsibility, courage, and personal growth. Every young man and woman in America should read this book, and aspire to his standard of public service.

Craig Mullaney has provided a far greater service to his nation by penning a riveting memoir that should be mandatory reading by every junior officer who dons the military uniform. Sure you loved your country. So tell me something I didn't expect or know. His take on Oxford came across as naive and dull. We argued, we laughed, we drank beer.

The best part of the book was Afghanistan. With that said, the death of O'Neal seemed more like a plot point for self analysis than true anguish. A well-written read but not much special or memorable about it. Jul 07, Bill rated it it was amazing. I read this book over the long holiday weekend. I found it strangely compelling and much better than I expected.

Mullaney is an interesting author however, he came from a squarely blue collar New England family that I found easily to relate to. His family didn't have a history of military service a I read this book over the long holiday weekend. Further making the narrative interesting was the fact that the author was obvious an intelligent young adult. He finished second in his West Point class academically and then went to England on the Rhodes Scholarship. He is soon in Afghanistan leading a platoon when he is still in his early 20s.

Most the books actually covers his training before the war, which I found very interesting. Officer training takes smart people and pushes them very hard over many years. His ruminations on whether how he was disturbed about how easy violence seemed even in training were interesting too. All in all I thought it was a great book to read to see a different take on a lot of the world events that unfolded around our country in the last decade.

May 29, Jeff rated it it was amazing. Mullaney has plenty of interesting material for this autobiography. I never knew what it took to be a West Point graduate and Army Ranger, and was really impressed by the discipline and hard work required. This glimpse into the life of a soldier really opened my eyes and gave me a new respect for the men and women who do these A West Point graduate 2nd in his class , Army Ranger, Rhodes scholar, world traveler, veteran of Afghanistan, and history professor at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Mr. This glimpse into the life of a soldier really opened my eyes and gave me a new respect for the men and women who do these hard things every day.

His description of battles in Afghanistan and what it is like to loose a soldier in combat his 'Unforgiving Minute' were especially thought provoking. Mullaney's writing style is perhaps a little too cold and factual in this book. For example, when describing his 'wooing offensive' of his future wife, I couldn't really tell if he was chasing her because he really liked her, or if he just picked someone at random to chase.

Towards the end of the book he does a much better job of sharing his feelings about events, rather than just the events themselves, but he could have done this throughout the book, and done a better job of it overall. Apr 18, Chris rated it it was amazing Shelves: Eloquent, engaging, enchanting, emotional. So much for my "e"literation of this powerful and compelling personal memoir.

It takes its title from Chapter 29, page ; a title which attracted me to place it on hold at my library several months ago. So after several months of patiently waiting it arrives and I am initially disappointed. I am going to have to wade through a personal narrative starting at Plebe Summer West Point. Been there, done that. However, once starting I quickly realize that t Eloquent, engaging, enchanting, emotional. However, once starting I quickly realize that this initial third and longest part of the book labeled "Student" is easily the best part of the book. The second part "Soldier" is superb.

This is not so much a book about combat but a book about life and how to live it with passion and zest and to treasure it. I almost feel like a member of Craig's family after reading this. He communicates an intimacy and honesty but still manages to keep some secrets like all of us. I'll be buying this book and recommending it to patrons at my library. It's easily in my top ten for military memoirs. Mar 24, Amanda rated it it was amazing. I normally do not read anything in the military genre mostly because it's just too hard to read.

I saw Craig Mullaney on The Daily Show and the interview was compelling enough that I checked the book out from the library. This is an exceptional book. Mullaney writes about his time at West Point, going to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and leading a platoon of soldiers in Afghanistan, all before he turned The book follows through with his life after war - ge I normally do not read anything in the military genre mostly because it's just too hard to read.

The book follows through with his life after war - getting married, joining the Old Guard at Arlington Cemetery, teaching history at a Navel school and sending his little brother off to war. An incredibly written book, I was moved to tears more than once. While I never assumed any of the American soldiers are stupid, I never ever realized the extent of training that they go through and the intelligence they have to have in order to survive combat and make things run smoothly. All while usually being shot at.

That's pressure that the majority of folks are never going to encounter. I still am not a fan of military books, I highly recommend reading this one. Apr 28, Jim rated it really liked it. There is not as much war as one might expect but rather life's experiences.

The Unforgiving Minute

I loved, laughed, and cried as I read this book. Thinking objectively I suppose this book will be more meaningful to those who have lived this life or one similar, to have had these experiences. If it can be read will an open heart it will help those who have never served in the military understand the service per A true story written of the experiences of a Army Ranger, West Point Graduate, and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. If it can be read will an open heart it will help those who have never served in the military understand the service person's life, love of country and commitment to freedom.

I have the thought perhaps it can be understood that these unique individuals value your freedom more than their life. It also illustrates the high level of education and intellectual achievement many military person's have. I loved the book, I marked it as I did because I know some just won't be able to grasp this level of personal commitment some made to serve others.

Please read it and enjoy. Jul 28, Sheehan rated it really liked it. Well written autobiography, chronicling the life of an Officer's life in the Army and personal growth associated with leading men into battle. The book made me continue to re-evaluate preconceived notions I have about the military. Oral histories and autobiographies, this one especially, provide a depth of understanding of the individual experience that is lost in a lot of the more polemical books I have read about war in general.

Yes, war is wasteful, often engaged in lightly by those in power an Well written autobiography, chronicling the life of an Officer's life in the Army and personal growth associated with leading men into battle.

The Unforgiving Minute

Yes, war is wasteful, often engaged in lightly by those in power and for the "wrong reasons", but in the end they are also all populated by individuals. Books like this which parse out the individuals definitely problematizes my opinions and leaves me feeling compelled to keep reading more to understand the motivations that make a military milieu. Just what a good book should do Sep 04, MaryHelen rated it really liked it.

This beautifully written biography was a learning experience for me. The author detailed his life experiences as the child from a working-class family, a West Point cadet and graduate, an Army Ranger school graduate, a Rhodes scholar who earned two masters degrees at Oxford, an Afghanistan veteran of firefights and other challenges, and finally as a teacher of history at the U. It is humbling to realize how dedicated our professional soliders must be and how complete is their ed This beautifully written biography was a learning experience for me. It is humbling to realize how dedicated our professional soliders must be and how complete is their education toward the goal of military leadership.

Still a young man in his 30s at the time of this book's publication, Craig Mullaney has written a poignant memoir that is full of life lessons and a spirit of service. May 02, BookSweetie rated it liked it Shelves: A clearly written, emotionally and culturally revealing memoir of one self-disciplined person's young adult experiences as he pursues a military career.

Mullaney, a Catholic Rhode Islander, includes his emotionally complex father-son relationship as well as his interfaith challenges winning over his future wife a medical A clearly written, emotionally and culturally revealing memoir of one self-disciplined person's young adult experiences as he pursues a military career. At the back of the book, the author identifies three organizations "to support the troops": Mar 05, James rated it it was amazing Shelves: Destined to be a classic - this is a powerful, eloquent, and enlightening book. Knowing a fair amount about the rigors of some of his training, I am humbled by Captain Mullaney's ferocious drive and toughness, although his recounting of events includes his failings and mistakes as well as his successes and is sometimes hilarious at his own expense.

From the perspective of middle age, I'm also humbled at the degree of wisdom he has somehow reached in his 20s. I hope to see more books from him, as Destined to be a classic - this is a powerful, eloquent, and enlightening book. I hope to see more books from him, as well as to see him play a prominent role in public life in other contexts now that he's left the military, and I hope this book gains the wide readership it deserves.

Jun 23, Gordon rated it it was amazing Shelves: I loved this book. Craig's journey from West Point to graduate studies, to leading men as an infantry officer, to courting a spouse from a different culture are all experiences I could relate with intimately. I know most of the mentors Craig mentions and felt proud to see how they mentored and influenced Craig. Craig's love of history and literature shape his view of the world and his leadership role - I wish I could have learned this at his young age. Instead it took me twenty years to 5-stars.

Instead it took me twenty years to realize their true value. Mar 26, Andrew Chin rated it really liked it.

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Gives you a perspective on a soldier's life. Jul 09, Mia rated it liked it. This book was the selection for the campus-wide shared reading experience at my daughter's college a few years ago, and I picked it up and added it to my "to read" pile when I was cleaning out her closet. After a day's reading, I was left with the feeling that compared to Craig Mullaney, I have wasted every moment of my life since about age 9. I've accomplished nothing, and I never will.

So, unless you were also an outstanding example of young humanity-- excelling in academics This book was the selection for the campus-wide shared reading experience at my daughter's college a few years ago, and I picked it up and added it to my "to read" pile when I was cleaning out her closet. So, unless you were also an outstanding example of young humanity-- excelling in academics, athletics, religious devotion, personal development and just plain grit--prepare to feel like crud about your own life course as you follow Mullaney's progress from high school valedictorian to West Point, to Oxford, to Afghanistan and voila!

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It's like reading about a different species of human--one who doesn't waste after-school hours watching Gilligan's Island or reading Flowers in the Attic. I can forgive the braggity bragg bragg of Mullaney's tale partly because he really is impressive and it'd likely be smarmily faux-humble for him to come across as anything less, and also because he was still young when doing the writing, with a young person's expectations that things will work out if you just don't quit.

Another reviewer pointed out, unkindly maybe but also factually, that Mullaney's education lasted much longer than his career as a wartime soldier. West Point and Oxford lasted six years. Mullaney's deployment lasted one year, and makes up a correspondingly portioned part of the book. A scholar goes to war" might be a more accurate title, though unlikely to sell books in our anti-intellectual nation.

I'm on the fence about whether I'll recommend this book to my son. I started out thinking that I might because hey, maybe he could benefit from the example Mullaney sets--working hard, studying, intellectual curiosity--but having finished the book, I don't know. It's disillusioning in the end, to see what became of all that effort and will to learn.

Jun 15, Kyle C. Dunham rated it liked it. A thought-provoking bildungsroman and memoir of a West Point graduate and soldier-scholar who goes to battle in Afghanistan.