Source: Art DeGroat, 785-532-0369, degroata@k-state.edu
Photos available. Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/feb11/finkelCREDITLucianPerkins.jpg and http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/feb11/finkel22511.jpg
Note to editors: A brief media availability with David Finkel will follow his lecture.
News release prepared by: Emily Vietti, 785-532-2535, evietti@k-state.edu

Friday, Feb. 25, 2011

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER DAVID FINKEL TO DISCUSS 'THE GOOD SOLDIERS' AT MARCH 10 LECTURE

MANHATTAN -- David Finkel is bringing his insights from war-ravaged Baghdad to Manhattan.

Finkel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter, is coming to Kansas State University Thursday, March 10, to discuss his chronicle of modern combat, "The Good Soldiers." The presentation, which will take place in Forum Hall in the K-State Student Union, is free and open to the public.

"The Good Soldiers" is a New York Times bestseller and winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize and New York Public Library Helen Bernstein Award for Excellence in Journalism. It is the story of the soldiers of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry of Fort Riley, known as the Rangers, during their historic tour of duty in Iraq from 2007-2008 at the peak of the surge.

"David Finkel's prolific account of modern soldiering is profound and compelling," said Art DeGroat, K-State's director of military affairs. "His story in 'The Good Soldiers' is about our partners from Fort Riley, and his willingness to share his views with the campus community is especially valuable for our awareness and appreciative understanding of what these men and women do for our security."

Col. Ralph Kauzlarich, the former commander of the battalion and main character of the book, will be a special guest and will also present at the forum.

The event will start with a book sale and signing at 3:30 p.m., followed at 4 p.m. by Finkel and Kauzlarich's presentation. A Q-and-A session will follow.

This is the second book lecture on the surge campaign in Iraq presented by the K-State military professional development series and hosted by the K-State Libraries and others.