Peace Is a Shy Thing

"Peace Is a Shy Thing" offers a comprehensive exploration of Tim O'Brien's thirteen months as an infantryman in Vietnam, drawing from over one hundred interviews with those close to him, as well as exchanges with O'Brien himself. This meticulously researched biography details his transformation into a literary icon while intertwining his writing process and career. It features fascinating elements, including an unpublished short story and an exchange between American and Vietnamese writers, all set against the backdrop of key historical moments. Authored by Vernon, a combat veteran and literary scholar, the book presents both O'Brien's life and a history of the era he shaped.