Carl Oglesby (1935–2011)

I picked up Ravens at the library on the strength of its cover and didn't managed to put down. An enthralling memoir of the late 1960s and early 1970s. I learned so much history reading this book: of people and events that I had heard of but didn't know in detail, or didn't know were contemporary. I now intend to pick up some of the other books Oglesby suggests.

The book is not perfect-- for one, as with all autobiographical works, I'd be interested to hear whether the people who appear in the book feel it's faithful to events. For another, it's occasionally repetitive, to the point that entire sentences were somehow transplanted wholesale to the third part of the book. Each chapter is organized chronologically, but the book as a whole jumps back and forth a bit, which can get confusing. This would be more justifiable if the theme of each chapter was tighter.

But don't let my nitpicks get in the way. If you've ever had any interest in the anti-war movement, this is a fascinating introduction and analysis, spiced with personal anecdoted that run the gamut from hilarious to tragic. I am much too young to remember the '60s, but I always wished I could have been there; thus, I'd be interested to hear what people who were there have to say about Ravens.… (meer)