One thing I truly have to thank George Allen for...

[Wetzelbill]

Is I probably never would have thought about reading one of Jim Webb's novels before. But since Felix Macaca's campaign made an issue about them, I have only heard great reviews about his work. (other than from Felix's campaign) I knew he wrote a few books, but I had no idea they were this well-reviewed and respected. I sort of expect writing from politicians or people who do it outside of their actual career to be trite and second-rate. Not all of course, but a lot of the time people write a book just to write a book and it may be decent but nothing all that special. Take Bill O'Reilly for example. He wrote a fictional novel, and from the few passages I have read, the story and his prose is pedestrian, at best. That is something I would not even consider reading.

But Jim Webb's writing is different than just the same old weekend warrior type stuff.

It appears that his work is some of the most seminal writing on Vietnam ever. In fact, Fields of Fire is particularly revered, and has been on the Marine Corps reading list for twenty years. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/28/AR2006102800911_pf.html

Jim Webb's writing is actually taught to people. Which tells me it must have some value to it. And, because of that value, I am now going to put Jim Webb's novels on my "must read" list. Definitely Fields of Fire, anyway.

So thanks, George Allen. Your taking the low road has opened up another avenue of learning and personal enrichment to me. I am going to read Jim Webb's writing, and I hope lots of others do too.

So here is hoping Webb sell lots of books and races up all the online best seller lists.