"The tragedy today in America is not what becomes of us, but what we become. As Brigham Young used to say, 'if you don't deserve hell and you're sent to hell it doesn't bother you. You just say, I'm in the wrong place; there has been a mistake. It'll be corrected, I don't belong here. But if you belong there, thats the sad thing. Then it's what you are. There is the tragedy." -- As recorded by Hugh Nibley.

This is an incredible story about the internal strengh, and fortitude demonstrated by an American serviceman, under the most extreme of conditions. This book gave me a greater appreciation for the difficulties encountered by those called upon, to serve in a time of war.

I have always admired Hugh Nibley, particularly for his ability to speak his mind, without feeling the need to apologize for all of his beliefs, and ideas. His writings are honest, frank, and spoken in a manner that leaves the reader certain of exactly where he stands in his ideals. This book has added a new dimension to my appreciation of one of my favorite LDS authors.

I frequently have problems with religious/inspirational writings because they often come across as so idealized that it is hard to identify with them, as a regular person, with standard weaknesses. This book has added to my appreciation of what it truly means to live a "Christian" life, in an evil world.

War is one of the more destructive elements of our lives, in this world. I have spoken to my mother, who has a horible fear of war -- having raised her children during the majority of the Vietnam War. I don't believe that she is alone in that natural horror towards war, and the results that war brings to the world as a whole.

This book gave me a greater understanding of the difficulties faced by everyday men and women -- when they are thrown into extrodanary circumstances, and they are forced to have to come to terms with surviving those atrocities. They may not have chosen them, but they chose the service that put them in a position to be exposed to them. These are men an women that should be honored, respected, and given the highest regard that this nation has to offer. They were willing to sacrifice their lives -- not only literally, but mentally, emotionally, and figuratively because they believed in the cause they stood for.

This is a topic that when I talk about it, I always feel like I am doing lip service to a belief that has become antiquated, and even considered unimportant in today's society. But it is these people that continue to service this country, in the most basic, and important means necessary in this country, which reminds me there are others that believe in the basic beliefs this nation is founded on.

Many of us are getting frustrated with politics, and elections, and the course that this country frequently appears to be going. It is more of a popularity contest, than a question of who would be the most beneficial individual for the position. The people we elect to offices, and those that voluntarily go into the service, do exactly that -- they serve their country. It is not a career -- it is a service opportunity -- in an attempt to make this country more than it was before they started. Our goal -- in conjunction with theirs should be to work towards improving this country, building it up, and strengthening it, so it will be better tomorrow than it is today.

In 52 B.C. the Roman Statesman, Marcus Cicero once said, "I did not hesitate to brave the wildest storms and almost the very thunderbolts themselves to protect my countrymen, and, by risking my own life, to win peace and security for the rest. For our country did not give us life and nurture unconditionally, without expecting to receive in return, as it were, some maintenance from us; nor did it engage simply to serve our convenience, providing a safe haven for our leisure and a quiet place for our relaxation. No, it reserved the right to appropriate for its own purpose the largest and most numerous portions of our loyalty, ability, and sagacity, leaving to us for our private use only what might be surplus to its needs."

Service to our country comes in many forms, from service in the military, to holding political office, to the greatest responsibility of all -- that of voting and taking an active part in requiring our government to be responsible to us as a people. This is more than a right -- this is our obligation -- to know what our government officials are doing, in our name -- and speak out when we do not agree with their private agendas. If we fail to do our part, then those that serve, and scrifice so much, do so in vain.

Cicero went on to say, "as if good, brave, and high-minded men could have any stronger reason for entering politics than the determination not to give in to the wicked, and not to allow the state to be torn apart by such people in a situation where they themselves would be powerless to help even if they wished to do so."

In reading this book, I believe that High Nibley believed in these ideals, expressed by Cicero, so long ago. He demonstrated this belief through his service to himself, his family, his country, and his religion. It doesn't matter the denomination, it is time for us to remember what is important to us. For this nation to survive and move forward, we need to quit debating party politics, and start demanding that those who claim to serve this country, do so -- and leave their personal agendas in the background.