The Armies of the Night: History as a Novel, the Novel as History by Norman Mailer Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Armies of the Night: History as a Novel, the Novel as History
Book Review: At war with oneself
Summary: 5 Stars
Most interesting to me, being a rather apolitical person, was the way Mailer described his "image" as a being completely outside of himself, and how the character "Mailer" in the book can be seen as his image, while the Narrator can be seen as the real Mailer. Mailer is an enjoyable author to read, as his utterly opinionated and iconoclastic personality cannot be kept apart from his subject matter, a fact that is all the more true for ARMIES OF THE NIGHT. I was surprised how much self-awareness he actually possesses... writing in the third person allowed him to step outside himself and observe some of his more unusual personality traits. I also enjoyed the books BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and the new novel KITE RUNNER-----that is, if you're looking for something really different and great to read.Book Review: The novelist as central actor on the stage of history
Summary: 5 Stars
The novelist places himself in center stage. He writes of the March on Washington in protest of the Vietnam War as if he were a major character. He writes with a great sweep and strength almost as if he had recaptured the power once present when he wrote his first published novel. But of course there is no way he cannot let his own generous capacity for grandiose grandstanding not come into the picture. Still all things considered it is no doubt one of his best books. And it is one which gives a broad- lens picture of the Anti- War movements various components .
Mailer is very good here, and the book does record a moment in the history of the great republic. But it is necessary to be wary of the author's various theories of power in American life.
This is a man who can write so wonderfully at times, but is also capable of tremendous nonsense.
Let the reader judge where this is outstanding, and where it should never have been written.
Book Review: absorbing, explosive writing from great American novelist
Summary: 5 Stars
Always appreciate reading the other reviews from Mailer's right-wing detractors: great laugh, it really is, talking about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WRITING (mentioning unsavoury details about his private life - how noble and intelligent, as befits this pondlife trash). Anyway, the concept of this novel is a wonderful one, turning the history as novel and novel as history themes on their head. There are some great anecdotes here, with Mailer (writing what he knows, as all good writers do) uncompromisingly and combatively taking on the might of authority and Pentagon power. Memorable incidents include his being semi-drunk on stage at Washington's Ambassador theatre comparing himself to Lyndon B. Johnson's "dwarf altar-ego." The march itself, the subsequent arrest and his riding with the 'Armies of the Night' along America's broad, epic roads - the mass of people opposed to the War. Mailer's polemic is similarly spot-on - his prediction that "the biggest danger to Communism was Communism itself" is borne out by historical fact. This was predicted in 1967 - the USSR was never defeated militarily. Its collapse was due to the financial flws inherent in the system's structure - it could not economically sustain itself. It was, contrary to certain people, of little threat and was never defeated militarily. Mailer's prediction is exact, unfortunately not heeded by the denizens of his country's own political landscape. Another thing is that Mailer makes constant references to his fondness for America and its history. Always accused - like all great American artists - of despising the US, you criticise aspects of the country in order to prevent its abuse and perversion. This is because he loves the country, not because he hates it.Book Review: An account that's better than history, grander than fiction!
Summary: 5 Stars
Mailer's 1968 account of the march on the Pentagon is something of a great and sweeping read where all of Mailer's skittish brillance falls into place. With nearly every facet of the counter culture gathering in Washington DC to give voice the commanding idea that the Viet Nam War was a folly that is at heart evil --antiwar protestors, Yippies, Quakers, poets, beats, rock stars, various drugged out crazies, nuns and ministers--Mailer was the superb witness to the events as they unfolded. The book is cranky, spirited, rolling with the metahors and acid insights that the mature Mailer manages; he is a subtle and rich noticer of small things, bits of business, gestures, facial expressions. Indeed, "Armies of the Night" is as much a comedy of manners as it is literary journalism. The shrewd and blunt estimations of Robert Lowell and Dwight MacDonald are wonders of the whole-honed phrase.
Book Review: Good for Baby Boomers only
Summary: 3 Stars
For those of us born after the events of October 21, 1967, the book is a disappointment. Mailer fails to offer better explanations of important characters that were icons of the late '60s. Since I was born after that, I have no inherent knowledge of the hippie idols, etc. In this 'history as novel', Mailer fails miserably at what most great novelist excel: character development.