[applause] the National Book awards are a huge part of that mission, and it is a thrill to be here with everyone tonight recognizing exceptional literature and increasing the visibility of books which are among the most powerful weapons we have against what has lately felt like an often hostile world. I think this past year has felt overwhelming and disheartening to many people. Its also felt exhausting for women, for people of color, for immigrants, for muslims, for the lgbtq community, for so many groups. To remain on the defensive in nearly every waking hour takes its toll. For some of us, books provide a welcome escape into someone elses world. For others they serve as a valuable resource for arming ourselves with indispensabling knowledge of history. But all books offer something we need so desperately right now; broadened perspective. Books allow us to view circumstances through the eyes of someone else. They cultivate empathy. They inspire action. They make us feel less alone an
Next step to discusses his novel about afghanistan following the u. S. Invasion. The book is green and blue. Mr. Ackerman is in afghanistan and iraq war veteran. He spoke at Johns Hopkins university in baltimore. Or guest tonight is elliot ackerman. Hes a decorated decorated veteran of United States marine corps and a writer whose work has been published in the new yorker along with the accomplishments the atlantic the times and the new republic among others. Mr. Ackerman was introduced to the daily beast and a member of the council of foreign relations. He served as a white house fellow in the abundant prior to that he spent eight years as an infantry and special operations officer. He served multiple tours of duty in the middle east and southwest asia and the Marine Corps Special Operations Team leader operated as a primary combat advisor to 710 Afghan Commando battalion responsible for capture operations and senior taliban leadership. Also let a 75 man platoon that aided in relief o
Consequence feeling connected to what youre doing is that motivated factor if you are in a nonprofit it can be pretty tiring because youre up close with the ugly it is the private on the battlefield it is difficult doesnt see big progreso as a consequence they can give very disheartened very quickly so give them the big picture was important to them if theyre doing something they are tired and cold and scared theyre not causally reinforced this is your contribution and you were making a difference it can undercut them then you want them and the matter how difficult sea or making decisions. The opportunities are remarkable having the chance to talk to the head of h. R. Eight and i said how was recruiting . He said we dont have a problem with that but we have these technology for wizards a you can work here on the coolest stuff that nobody else has but with the advances of medicine it has been driven off the battlefield. Those of the big advances. Looking at the organizational models i w
On tonights pbs newshour. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by moving our economy for 160 years. Bnsf, the engine that connects us. And the william and flora hewlett foundation, helping people build immeasurably better lives. And with the ongoing support of these institutions and individuals. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Woodruff north korea had tough talk today for the United States, following the weekend adoption of new sanctions by the United Nations. The new measures target north koreas alreadylimited export market, and seek to further isolate the nation after recent missile tests. Lisa desjardins reports. Desjardins to new sanctions, north korea today reacted with its own threat. translated the uss villainous illegal actions against our country and people will be reciprocated by thousandsfold. If it thinks that it will be safe because it is ac
After the september 11th attacks, and initially he was involved with u. S. Efforts at the u. N. Security council to freeze and block assets linked to alqaeda. But after the invasion of ric in 2003 of iraq in 2003, he ended up in baghdad among the First American diplomats sent to the iraqi capital. And then he went on to spend seven years in either iraq or afghanistan advising u. S. Forces and working with local authorities and others. Kaels service, for which he received the secretary of states medal for heroism, was uncommon not only for the amount of time he was posted in iraq or afghanistan, but also for the range of his contacts and the depth of his involvement with american troops and local civilians. His new book, the mirror test, recounts his personal journey, and it also provides a closeup, gritty, emotional portrait of the, of the wars that america has been engaged in now for well over a decade. Kaels very critical of americas failures in both conflicts and makes a point of hi