.... written by Ben Blum, published by Doubleday, 2017.The subtitle reads: 'A story of soldiers, family and an inexplicable crime.' I heard the author being interviewed when I was driving, listening to public radio. It sounded so interesting I wrote the info. down, and requested it from the library, just finished last week. A fascinating tale that is so unlikely as to be baffling, but surprisingly true.
The author, Ben Blum, is the cousin of the main character, Alex. Young Alex has wanted to join the Army, complete basic training, and become one of the elite Rangers since childhood. Everyone who knows him as a youngster is aware of his desire to complete Ranger training. His family has seen him talk, walk, dress, breathe Army since grade school. Alex finishes high school, talks to a recruiter and signs up. He is dedicated to his goal, devoted to exercise and a healthy lifestyle, serious about his determination to qualify and complete the demanding training required to become a Ranger.
After weeks of basic training, then qualifying for Rangers, he completes the exhausting stressful Ranger training at Ft. Benning GA. Alex is posted to WA prior to being deployed to the mid-east. He meets an older Ranger who has twice deployed, and this man, Elliott becomes a mentor to Alex. It is not unusual when these men are off duty, as amusement, they will look at their surroundings and plan how to secure the building, or 'take down' the occupants. Just for entertainment, 'casing the joint', practicing what they have been trained to do in guerilla warfare, talking, egging each other on, though nothing actually happens. At a bowling alley, or fast food eatery, any place they happen to be with overload of testosterone.
Elliott lured Alex into participating in the robbery of a bank near Seattle. Several others recruited by Elliott were involved. Naturally they all were caught and incarcerated. Alex maintained he did not they were serious, actually holding the bank up, when Elliot asked hm to drive the group to the bank. His family was stunned when they realized what this straight arrow, single minded, devotedly Army, patriotic to the core guy had done.
The book is well written and researched. Ben spent years talking to the people involved: meeting with the participants in prison, talking with attorneys, interviewing experts in psychology and brain washing, military personnel, family members. All done in an effort to piece together how Alex, a man who seemed to be so focused and devoted to making a career of the Army became so naive, and easily lead astray.
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