Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
by Ben Fountain
Discussion by Professor Emerita Judy SteiningerOctober 16, 2013
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The Iraq War and the NFL collide when Billy Lynn and members of his Bravo Squad arrive at Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, Texas. For acts of heroism, these young warriors (Billy is 19) get a two-week tour of the U.S. to boost patriotism and support for the war. At the game, they meet a large cast of Americans including Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child. Who and what makes America run, what metaphors make Americans shiver and what kind of people are Americans anyway? Don’t hesitate to think about the victory tour of the young soldiers who raised the flag on Iwo Jima. Analogies in literature are always welcome. |
Presenter
Judith Steininger is a professor emeritus at MSOE. She also taught at UW-Milwaukee, Boston College and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, East Africa. She is a free lance writer both locally and nationally. In the last 3 years, nationally, she has published two literature essays: Willa Cather’s Pulitzer Prize novel One of Ours and Jim Harrison’s novella collection The Farmer’s Daughter. In science, she published lengthy articles on pneumatics and the field of engineering. She regularly contributes to Milwaukee Public Radio’s "Lake Effect" program. Her bachelor’s degree is in chemistry (University of Kentucky) and a master’s in literature (Boston College). Steininger taught the first Great Books discussion, Arrowsmith. The Milwaukee Press Club awarded her cover story “Hot Stuff” the Best Feature Length Magazine Article for 2006 in a statewide competition.Menu
Texas Thanksgiving Dinner:
Appetizer - Beer Battered Texas Tooth Picks
First Course - Squash Soup w/ Toasted Pepitas
Entrée-Stuffed Turkey Breast w/ cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce
Bacon brown sugar Brussels sprouts
Sweet Potato Casserole
Dessert - Pecan Pie with Whip Cream
Unsweetened Tea
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