A veteran whose book has inspired others in the
military both locally and across the world will speak at the University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Dec. 3.
Brian Castner, author of “The
Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows,” will present at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Laird Room of the Dreyfus University Center. His talk
will focus on bridging the gap and finding common ground between the military
and civilians. The public may attend free of charge. A book signing will
follow, with copies available through the University Bookstore both before and
after the talk.
Castner will also speak to
students in a UW-Stevens Point first-year seminar course for veterans and have
lunch with the Veterans Club. “The Long Walk” inspired much of the structure of
the course, says instructor David Chrisinger.
“Castner coped with his
experiences in war by learning history, running and writing,” he said. “Those
activities helped him gain perspective, and that’s what we’ve done as part of
the course.” Chrisinger said that some of his students identify closely with
Castner and many have also found it healing to put their thoughts on paper.
“The
Long Walk” tells of
Castner’s struggle to survive modern combat in Iraq and his
personal tale of confronting the new person he had become upon returning to his
family. It was an Amazon Best Book of 2012 and a Chautauqua
Literary and Scientific Circle selection in 2013. His writing has appeared in
various national and regional publications, including Wired magazine, Newsweek,
The New York Times and Gary Trudeau’s “The Sandbox” anthology, an online forum
for dispatches by Iraq and Afghanistan service members.
Castner served as an explosive
ordnance disposal officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1999 to 2007, deploying to
Iraq. After leaving the active military, he served as a consultant and
contractor, training soldiers and Marines prior to their tours in Iraq and
Afghanistan. He lives near Buffalo, N.Y., with his wife and four sons.
Skip to main content
