Summer 2008 - The Barracks Thief by Tobias Wolff

The Barracks Thief is a brief yet powerful tale of three young paratroopers waiting to be shipped out to Vietnam. Brought together one sweltering afternoon to stand guard over an ammunition dump threatened by a forest fire, they discover in each other an unexpected capacity for recklessness and violence. Far from being alarmed by this discovery, they are exhilarated by it; they emerge from their common danger full of confidence in their own manhood and in the bond of friendship they have formed.

This confidence is shaken when a series of thefts occur. The author embraces the perspectives of both the betrayer and the betrayed, forcing us to participate in lives that we might otherwise condemn, and to recognize the kinship of those lives to our own.

Events

An Evening With Tobias Wolff: Tuesday, July 15, 7 pm
Highland Park Public Library

Award-winning author Tobias Wolff, whose book “The Barracks Thief” has been selected as the One Book, One Highland Park title, will appear at the Library on Tuesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. Mr. Wolff will read from “The Barracks Thief” and discuss his writing. A question and answer session and book signing will follow the program.

The event is sponsored in part by: Ravinia Festival; Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood; The Law Firm of Baizer, Kolar, Lewis; an anonymous donor; Central Business District Alliance; Harris Bank; Mayor Michael D. Belsky; Bella Via Ristorante; Courtyard by Marriott; and Pioneer Press.

Book Discussions:

Tuesday, July 10 - 7:00 p.m. at Borders Bookstore: Discussion of the One Book Selection hosted by Borders Books & Music.

Wednesday, July 16 - 7:00 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room: Judy Levin leads a discussion of the One Book Selection hosted by the Highland Park Public Library.

Sunday, July 20 - 2:00 p.m. at Borders Bookstore: Discussion of the One Book Selection hosted by Borders Books & Music