“What I write about is not war but the courage of man.”

“It began to seem that the generals had got us into something they had no business doing.”

“Any idiot can be brave, but courage is about knowing what's at stake, and moving forward anyway.”

“I know we built our career almost on being a positive influence on people. But the truth is, that's not always the way I feel. And I'm tired of being afraid of what people are going to think if I don't write that way. I want to write about what's really happening in the world. And in me.”

“Soldiers seem so durable, resilient, and so heroic in war novels. On the television screen they're afraid of nothing. I wonder if I have that same courage. Basic training is supposed to teach us bravery and fortitude.”

“You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I'll ruin you.”

“But courage is also means being afraid, accepting a fear of the unknown. Anyone who claims to be unafraid as they sit in a barracks in-processing for war is either lying or crazy.”