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Dust To Dust: A Memoir (2012)

by Benjamin Busch(Favorite Author)

3.75 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0062014846 (ISBN13: 9780062014849)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Ecco

review 1: There is a rare beauty in Benjamin Busch's writing that is difficult to explain. Delivered through simple syntax and a tempo that lends to reflection, Dust To Dust, is a true experience for the mindful reader. Told through elements of his own life, contrasted against elements of our world, Busch lays open the yin and yang of the metaphysical and physical, immortality and eventuality, survival and invincibility against all that ever remains -- Love by and of mothers and fathers. A moving tribute to his parents, this writer, soldier, actor, husband, father, and son delivers his message in the art of his father's and the stories of his mother's and compels the reader to ask. What is my story? How will I be remembered?
review 2: This is a unique, carefully restra... moreined yet eloquent coming-of age memoir of a would-be artist, actor, and eventually, somewhat inevitably, soldier. Busch structures his experience in terms of the elemental elements and experiences of his life which, so far, includes working artist/engineer of forts and dams; graduation from Vassar, service as a Marine officer (the first grad of Vassar to serve in the Marines) in Iraq and several other countries (where I didn't know we had serving Marines!), a return to civilian life as an actor (frequently portraying soldiers, and cops), parent, writer/producer/director, and that unenviable task, 'parenting' and finally saying farewell to his parents, and to the memory-filled objects of his past. I found the last-mentioned sections, on dealing with fading parents and their mementos, particularly moving and all too familiar. I was also impressed by the wisdom, and restraint, of his comment on the war he shared in Iraq with Iraqi civilians. 'It was the pointlessness and the faces of people who were left to live in the violence we had brought with us or drawn to us." p.281. I came away from his story feeling proud of our military. In even a few of ours are as wise, compassionate, and moral as Busch on the personal level amongst themselves and confronting our friends and enemies, then our military (mis)adventures are not, not pointless, and may, in fact, bring some good into the chaos of war. less

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