William Timothy O'Brien

Born:

October 1, 1946, Austin, Minnesota, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Author, Novelist, Short Story Writer

Early Life and Education

• Grew up in Worthington, Minnesota.
• Valedictorian of his high school class.
• Graduated summa cum laude from Macalester College in 1968 with a B.A. in Political Science.
• Drafted into the U.S. Army following graduation.

Career and Major Achievements

• Served in the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1970 with the Americal Division.
• Began writing about his experiences in Vietnam after his military service.
• Received a National Book Award in Fiction for Going After Cacciato (1979).
• Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota (position held until retirement).
• Recipient of numerous literary awards and fellowships, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and NEA Fellowship.

Notable Works

• Novels:
  • If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home (1973)
  • Going After Cacciato (1978)
  • The Nuclear Age (1985)
  • The Things They Carried (1990)
  • In the Lake of the Woods (1994)
  • July, July (2002)
• Short Story Collections: Numerous short stories published in various literary magazines and anthologies.

Legacy and Impact

William Timothy O'Brien is widely regarded as one of the most important American writers about the Vietnam War. His innovative use of metafiction and exploration of the nature of truth and memory have had a significant impact on contemporary literature. Critical analyses of his work often involve discussions of the relationship between fact and fiction. Finding suitable resources such as reliable websites or printed materials focused on literary criticism can aid in understanding the context in which works like The Things They Carried are interpreted. Resources focusing on 'tim o'brien biography books' may contain more personal information which would contribute to understanding the man behind the work.

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