I don't know enough about William Manchester's work to say he was a great writer, but I thought The Glory and the Dream was exceptional. I've read it two times and many chapters a third or fourth time.
I had a very high opinion of the author.
Then I read an essay that exposes the late Manchester as someone who commits the crime of "stolen valor," someone who overstates his accomplishments and heroics while in the military. In this case, Manchester's deception also carried over to civilian life.
Manchester's real-life exploits as a Marine on Okinawa didn't compare what he created over the years after his discharge in 1945. Manchester earned a Purple Heart for shrapnel in his back, but later in life he added numerous other war wounds in his memoir and his recollections. There is evidence paperwork he created and left with his personal effects, paperwork designed to make others think he had been nominated for and awarded significant medals for heroism that was performed only in Manchester's dreams. In other words, Manchester left behind phony "evidence" of valor that would be part of his obituary.
He also claimed to be a college valedictorian (he was an average student), and that information was passed along in an introduction prior to Manchester receiving an award from the NEH.
If anyone here has heard of Manchester, whoop-te-do. Just airing my disappointment.
I had a very high opinion of the author.
Then I read an essay that exposes the late Manchester as someone who commits the crime of "stolen valor," someone who overstates his accomplishments and heroics while in the military. In this case, Manchester's deception also carried over to civilian life.
Manchester's real-life exploits as a Marine on Okinawa didn't compare what he created over the years after his discharge in 1945. Manchester earned a Purple Heart for shrapnel in his back, but later in life he added numerous other war wounds in his memoir and his recollections. There is evidence paperwork he created and left with his personal effects, paperwork designed to make others think he had been nominated for and awarded significant medals for heroism that was performed only in Manchester's dreams. In other words, Manchester left behind phony "evidence" of valor that would be part of his obituary.
He also claimed to be a college valedictorian (he was an average student), and that information was passed along in an introduction prior to Manchester receiving an award from the NEH.
If anyone here has heard of Manchester, whoop-te-do. Just airing my disappointment.
