Ok, seems I have touched a bit of a cultural nerve with my criticism of Pride and Prejudice ... the book / movie some describe as the ultimate description of a woman's heart. With wifey out of town, I rented Band of Brothers. I just finished episode three (Carentan) of Band of Brothers last night.
I feel a poll is in order.
Given just two choices, who do you want your son (pretend you had a son if you don't) to grow up and be like and why. Winters or Darcy?
I am not even going to touch this one. Too loaded!
Posted by: John M. | April 26, 2006 at 13:13
I'll touch it. I meant to comment on your prior p&p post and say "youdaman." Your analysis was spot on and I'm with you. Every now and then my wife gets a Jane Austen movie and gets very dreamy eyed about the whole thing. Fortunately, she's a good wife and doesn't force me to watch these things with her.
I actually haven't seen Band of Brothers, I don't get HBO, but if it's between a soldier and Darcy, that's a no-brainer - I'm voting for the soldier.
Posted by: David Wayne | April 26, 2006 at 13:54
Thanks David!
I recommend BOB if you can handle the usual soldier language and a blown off limb or two. Unfortunately, there is one sex scene in one of the later episodes in the series ... it marrs an otherwise great series.
Winters is a particularly interesting case study in leadership. He has the qualities of leadership that Christian leaders should have.
There are lots of usuable sermon illustrations too. Serge points to one good one on the other post. The 101st airborne troops parachuted into Normandy on D-day with these heavy bags (full of weapons etc) tied to their legs. Inexplicably, nobody really tested this set up. When the transports came in low and fast (under heavy German fire), the troops jumped and most of the bags were ripped away by the force of the prop blast. The troops landed with no weapons. They had to scrounge and improvise in many cases. Going into combat without a weapon can be rather hazardous. Seems like a good illustration in there ;)
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | April 26, 2006 at 18:41
Other than David, everyone seems to be wimping out of this little survey. I know the lurkers are hitting this post.
Is P&P that entrenched as a sacred movie in our Christian subculture? :)
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | April 26, 2006 at 18:43
I'm not familiar enough with "Winters" to answer, maybe that's other readers' problem, too.
Posted by: carlaviii | April 27, 2006 at 00:11
Thanks Carla, you are probably right.
Here is the offical Richard Winters web site.
http://www.majordickwinters.com/
Do yourself a favor and go check it out. Winters is an American hero and deserves the congressional medal of honor for his action on D-day. I am writing both of my senators a letter to express my opinion on Winters worthiness for this award -- and you should too!
We need to recognize valor, bravery and leadership in the field. They are values desperately needed in our world today.
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | April 27, 2006 at 06:16
I know, I am a whimp. I want him to be BOTH. Willling to fight and die for a cause, willing to serve a cause, yet debonaire and culturally sensitive enough to win the lady of his dreams, and keep winning her. I guess I want Jacob to be a refined, principled, God fearing Jesus Freak. All the above will come with that.
Posted by: Carl Holmes | April 27, 2006 at 07:44
OK, I'm going military. I actually would like to see one or both of the girls grow up to be like mom - an officer in the US Navy. But in the "pretend" world of having a son, it's Winters.
No long explanations - duty, honor, country. Just like wifey!
Later.
Posted by: BWB | April 27, 2006 at 09:05
Mr. DawnTreader, you have to know the thrill my heart experienced when I came to your website for the first time and saw "THE MAN" Major Winters' picture. I knew I had entered a holy area of the WWW universe!
(Ok...maybe that's a little extreme. But I was definately fired up!)
I am much more of a Dick Winters guy. I have watched BOB at least 6 times and have used them for a men's discipleship group.
I have read Ambrose's book Band of Brothers, and I have also read (well, almost finished), Dick Winter's new book of his memoirs. Each page helps me to appreciate his balance between God and country. He is very clear about his passion for excellence. There are times when I read a paragraph and think, "Wow! That sounds really prideful." Then I remember that this guy really did all the things in the the books and the movie and has every right to say them.
The guy is an inspriration to me because he obviously had a heart for God, and a heart for people.
Having said that, I would want my son to be as much like that Darcy character as he can.
(Just kidding! Give me a Winter's man any day.)
Posted by: Danny Kaye | April 27, 2006 at 09:09
I'm a first time visitor, so maybe I haven't read enough of your posts to catch all the context of this. Still, for me it's a no-brainer. I've read BOB, am currently reading "Beyond Band of Brothers" (Winters war memoirs), and hope to read the new bio.
If my sons grow up to have his character and courage, I will feel I have succeeded.
Posted by: Nephos | April 28, 2006 at 10:53
Danny and Nephos,
Context or no, Winters wins. Thanks for voting :)
Carl, you cheated! :)
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | April 28, 2006 at 14:18
Winters is winning in a landslide. I think all the female voters except Carla left this blog after my "why men hate pride & prejudice" post. :)
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | April 28, 2006 at 14:19
Nephos! What is this new bio about which you spake.
Needs must I know in most urgent fashion.
Anyway, just in case you don't come back to this site, I'll see you over at your own.
;-)
Posted by: Danny Kaye | April 28, 2006 at 14:47
DK,
I left the info in a comment at your blog. For some reason I was redirected to the IRS webpage, so, just in case you didn't get the comment, the name of the book was "The Biggest Brother" by Larry Alexander. Can't wait to read it personally.
Posted by: Nephos | April 28, 2006 at 15:31
Thanx, Nephos. I got it. You must have figured out the really high-tech anti-spam block I have on my site, eh? Just type in the letters "dk" in the little text box and your are in like Flynn, baby!
The IRS redirection is a trick I play on the spammers if they try to leave comment spam. (yeah, I know they don't ever see it and that it's all computer generated. But its just my little fun.)
Again, thanks for the info. I'll put that book on my Fathers' Day list. (How else can I teach my son how to be like Major Winiters?)
Posted by: Danny Kaye | April 28, 2006 at 20:27