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Lifetaker
117 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 21, 2022
In his self-effacing introduction, Mr. Shields informs his readers, "I gave my life for these words/
so be it"
This seems what every self-effacing poet today ought do.
My personal feelings upon reading this book can be summarized this way (also by courtesy of the author of this volume; from his piece entitled "advice"):
"I've learned more sitting alone in a small room
facing a dark wall & myself
than anything I ever read"
Everyone getting their hands on this book ought do the same.
A word about stylistic challenges within this work:
The vast majority of lines which Mr. Shields offers us here are three lines at a time; that is to say, two longer lines of text with a shorter line sandwiched in the middle, followed by blank space in between.
This is so all readers can catch a breath; while reading this work, IT DOES need to happen.
Blank space left on the page may also be indicative of the "thousand yard stare" which is on occasion talked about and given by sufferers of PTSD but not necessarily overused within this volume of work to the point of hyperbole.
The old writer's adage from bygone youth remains with us still, "Write what you know." Bill Shields does exactly this, at all times; no less, and in the spaces he offers us as readers to breathe between, so very much more.
so be it"
This seems what every self-effacing poet today ought do.
My personal feelings upon reading this book can be summarized this way (also by courtesy of the author of this volume; from his piece entitled "advice"):
"I've learned more sitting alone in a small room
facing a dark wall & myself
than anything I ever read"
Everyone getting their hands on this book ought do the same.
A word about stylistic challenges within this work:
The vast majority of lines which Mr. Shields offers us here are three lines at a time; that is to say, two longer lines of text with a shorter line sandwiched in the middle, followed by blank space in between.
This is so all readers can catch a breath; while reading this work, IT DOES need to happen.
Blank space left on the page may also be indicative of the "thousand yard stare" which is on occasion talked about and given by sufferers of PTSD but not necessarily overused within this volume of work to the point of hyperbole.
The old writer's adage from bygone youth remains with us still, "Write what you know." Bill Shields does exactly this, at all times; no less, and in the spaces he offers us as readers to breathe between, so very much more.
April 17, 2013
I am a freelance writer for Verbicide Magazine. I tried to interview Bill Shields as he was a favorite author of mine. As I started researching his life, I found out a curious thing: Bill Shields never was a US Navy SEAL, nor did he ever serve a day in Vietnam, in combat or otherwise. He never had a daughter who died of cancer from his exposure to Agent Orange. This daughter did not, in fact, even exist. Bill went on to pretend to be a repo man and wrote even more drivel about his exploits in that job.
I am not wrong and Bill is a liar and a fraud. In this day and age, the fact that Henry Rollins still sells his books while spouting out of the other side of his mouth how much he supports the troops, is reprehensible. Not only should no one read this book, they should not purchase it either.
My article in Verbicide, "Bill Shields: The SEAL Who Never Was" is available online if people want to read it. I still get emails from people saying how I am the liar, but they are duped by Bill's sociopathic behavior.
Rollins should be ashamed of himself for printing and distributing this author.
I am not wrong and Bill is a liar and a fraud. In this day and age, the fact that Henry Rollins still sells his books while spouting out of the other side of his mouth how much he supports the troops, is reprehensible. Not only should no one read this book, they should not purchase it either.
My article in Verbicide, "Bill Shields: The SEAL Who Never Was" is available online if people want to read it. I still get emails from people saying how I am the liar, but they are duped by Bill's sociopathic behavior.
Rollins should be ashamed of himself for printing and distributing this author.
April 28, 2012
Brutal work. You feel like you've been hit in the gut after reading it. Strangely, you want to read more...
December 18, 2021
Decent if a little rambling, the Hubert Selby Jr and Rollins influences are evident (And I like both those guys work).
January 17, 2008
Brutal war poetry. Not for the faint...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews