Tracy Kidder's Detachment

Most American soldiers who served during the Vietnam war did not see combat. For many of them, the experience was not high drama and heroism but a combination of mundane support jobs, personal challenges, and counting the days until they'd be out. That's what author Tracy Kidder remembers.

Kidder, who's won a Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Award and many other honors for his books of narrative journalism, has turned the lens on himself to write "My Detachment: A Memoir." It's about Tracy Kidder's war in Vietnam. He didn't shoot at anyone, and no one shot at him. But the young lieutenant struggled with himself, with learning to lead other men, and with coming to grips with the war.

Hear a conversation with author Tracy Kidder on his reflections in a time of war.

Guests:

Pulitzer Prize winning writer Tracy Kidder. He's the author of numerous books, including "Mountains Beyond Mountains," "Home Town," "Among Schoolchildren," and "Soul of a New Machine." His new book is "My Detachment."