Customer Reviews

The Armies of the Night: History as a Novel, the Novel as History

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Most interesting to me, being a rather apolitical person, was the way Mailer described his "image" as a being completely outside of himself, and how the character "Mailer" in the book can be seen as his image, while the Narrator can be seen as the real Mailer. Mailer is an enjoyable author to read, as his utterly opinionated and iconoclastic personality cannot be kept apart from his subject matter, a fact that is all the more true for ARMIES OF THE NIGHT. I was surprised how much self-awareness he actually possesses... writing in the third person allowed him to step outside himself and observe some of his more unusual personality traits. I also enjoyed the books BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and the new novel KITE RUNNER-----that is, if you're looking for something really different and great to read.

Always appreciate reading the other reviews from Mailer's right-wing detractors: great laugh, it really is, talking about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WRITING (mentioning unsavoury details about his private life - how noble and intelligent, as befits this pondlife trash). Anyway, the concept of this novel is a wonderful one, turning the history as novel and novel as history themes on their head. There are some great anecdotes here, with Mailer (writing what he knows, as all good writers do) uncompromisingly and combatively taking on the might of authority and Pentagon power. Memorable incidents include his being semi-drunk on stage at Washington's Ambassador theatre comparing himself to Lyndon B. Johnson's "dwarf altar-ego." The march itself, the subsequent arrest and his riding with the 'Armies of the Night' along America's broad, epic roads - the mass of people opposed to the War. Mailer's polemic is similarly spot-on - his prediction that "the biggest danger to Communism was Communism itself" is borne out by historical fact. This was predicted in 1967 - the USSR was never defeated militarily. Its collapse was due to the financial flws inherent in the system's structure - it could not economically sustain itself. It was, contrary to certain people, of little threat and was never defeated militarily. Mailer's prediction is exact, unfortunately not heeded by the denizens of his country's own political landscape. Another thing is that Mailer makes constant references to his fondness for America and its history. Always accused - like all great American artists - of despising the US, you criticise aspects of the country in order to prevent its abuse and perversion. This is because he loves the country, not because he hates it.

Mailer's 1968 account of the march on the Pentagon is something of a great and sweeping read where all of Mailer's skittish brillance falls into place. With nearly every facet of the counter culture gathering in Washington DC to give voice the commanding idea that the Viet Nam War was a folly that is at heart evil --antiwar protestors, Yippies, Quakers, poets, beats, rock stars, various drugged out crazies, nuns and ministers--Mailer was the superb witness to the events as they unfolded.

The book is cranky, spirited, rolling with the metahors and acid insights that the mature Mailer manages; he is a subtle and rich noticer of small things, bits of business, gestures, facial expressions. Indeed, "Armies of the Night" is as much a comedy of manners as it is literary journalism. The shrewd and blunt estimations of Robert Lowell and Dwight MacDonald are wonders of the whole-honed phrase.

For those of us born after the events of October 21, 1967, the book is a disappointment. Mailer fails to offer better explanations of important characters that were icons of the late '60s. Since I was born after that, I have no inherent knowledge of the hippie idols, etc. In this 'history as novel', Mailer fails miserably at what most great novelist excel: character development.

Winner of the 1969 Pulitzer Prize for General-Non Fiction, Norman Mailer demonstrates his considerable skills of observation & insight: As Novelist, Historian, and Journalist in one book!

Necessary reading for understanding the United States of the 1960's, and perhaps the American psyche today, twenty something years later. Actually two books; History as a Novel, where he writes about himself intimately in the third-person. The second, The Novel as History, Mailer steps back and gives a more detached view of the 1967 march in Washington and its surrounding events.

If you dont like Mailer's syle at all, or even a little bit, stay away from this novel you unlucky people.Norman proves why he is the best writer in America by writing some of the best passages I have ever read within. The ending in which he compares America to pregnant mother astounded me. This book deserved the pulitzer. Also, Norman shows shows a greater understanding of America than anyone else i can think of.

Those of you who are already familiar with the work of Norman Mailer don't need much of an introduction to the man who could perhaps be the most transcendant egoist of the century. For those of you who haven't read Mailer, know this: he writes unlike anyone of his peers, he can turn a phrase as well as Fitzgerald, he is a profound and unusual thinker, and has a great sense of humor.

In this, the book that won him his first Pulitzer Prize, Mailer gives us what he likes to think of as two books. First comes "History As A Novel," in which Mailer describes his experience (in the third person) participating in the largest anti-Vietnam War rally to have occured by 1967 when this book was published. In traditional fashion, a somewhat besotted Mailer makes rousing and unsettling remarks at a theater based event, lends his support to draft-card burners (actually, the group of protesters were to turn in their cards, rather than burn them), and walk in the historically significant march on the Pentagon. At the Pentagon, Mailer manages to get himself arrested (a goal he had previously set for himself), and spends the weekend in jail. He describes all of this with such wit and insight that Mailer himself becomes as much the subject matter as the march itself.

In the second book, "The Novel As History," Mailer gives us a historical perspective on the march and describes its genesis, reason for existance, movers and shakers, and then describes the march as it might have been seen by an unbiased reporter (although Mailer admits that no unbiased reports of this event could ever be given).

Mailer is an enjoyable author to read, as his utterly opinionated and iconoclastic personality cannot be kept apart from his subject matter, a fact that is all the more true for Armies of the Night. I was surprised how much self-awareness he actually posesses... writing in the third person allowed him to step outside himself and observe some of his more unusual personality traits.

You do not need a heavy interest in the Vietnam War to enjoy this book (although I suppose it may help)... all you need is your sympathy, intelligence, and sense of humor.

the writing of this book in a 3rd person view was a bad enough idea, but the story itself is boring, he takes 30 pages to explain speeches he makes, blah!

Mailer has a really enjoyable ego, and a rather likeable personality. This book describes vividly a March on Washington in '67 against the Vietnam War, and the main character is Norman Mailer. (This book is written in the third person; an ingeneous way for Mailer to take shots at himself).

Most interesting to me, being a rather apolitical person, was the way Mailer described his "image" as a being completely outside of himself, and how the character "Mailer" in the book can be seen as his image, while the Narrator can be seen as the real Mailer.

That last bit may not make complete sense but anyhow this book has moments of vivid excitement, of feeling the slow painful movements of history unfolding, the "existential moment" as Mailer calls it, of doing something uprecedented and thus not having any idea of what will come of it.

Unfortunately the prose shines only in patches and often i found myself skimming. This may be my fault, for though I like America and everything, i dont have the overwhelming enthusiasm and obsession for all things American that Mailer has. Nevertheless this is a really enjoyable read and Mailer, unlike most political people - and certainly unlike most "activists" both radical and conservative - can laugh at himself as well as those around him.

I checked this book out from the public library because it was short and looked interesting. I found one of, if not the best book I have ever read. This gives an excellent account on the March on the Pentagon and is definitely worth reading. Buy it today.