Risky, Ambitious, and Brilliant is the way to describe this author's works and life. As a contemporary American novelist and short-story writer he uses his characters to express his life throughout the war. One of his most recent works is "In the Lake of the Woods". All of his writings are in reaction to his war experiences. "(Tim O'Brien)" certainly ranks among the best writers we have. (O'Brien). Tim O' Brien uses emotional appeal very effectively to make his readers feel the plight of the American people and uses a lot of moving examples that the American people have dealt with.
             His name is Timothy O'Brien, born October 1, 1946 in Austin, Minnesota. He grew up in Worthington, Minnesota with his father William Timothy O' Brien (sold life insurance), mother Ava E. a teacher (maiden name Shultz).Raised with brother Greg, sister Kathy. He married wife Ann (a magazine production manager) in 1973.
             O'Brien attended Worthington Senior High School during his teen years. He also attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, where he graduated in Summa Cum laude in 1968. Having earned a degree in Political Sciences, he then entered the Ph.D program in government at Harvard (O'Brien). After graduating in 1968, he was drafted into the U.S. army. He served in the army during 1968-1970; also served in Vietnam. He was awarded the rank of sergeant and received a Purple Heart. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. He quoted "in the end, it was less reason and more gravity that was the final influence" (O'Brien). Being drafted into the army produced a major emotional crisis for him. He found the conflict morally reprehensible and emotionally unacceptable. "It was horrible but it makes a man out of you" (O'Brien).
             O'Brien holds a strong familiarity to writers such as Robert Stone, Tom McGuane, and Philip Caputo. He can relate to the types of stor
             ...