“In 1952, when I was 15 and living on Governors Island, which was then ...” — Lois Lowry Quote

In 1952, when I was 15 and living on Governors Island, which was then First Army Headquarters, I encountered the newly-published 'The Catcher in the Rye.' Of course, that book became the iconic anti-establishment novel for my generation.

What comes to me always is a character, a scene, a moment. That's going to be the beginning. Then, as I write, I begin to perceive an ending. I begin to see a destination, although sometimes that changes. And then, of course, there's the whole middle section looming.

If we as writers could predict what readers grab on to, we would write it.

So many of my books, I don't want to say they have messages, but they have important things to say.

I don't care what America and Africa think; I am only concerned that the people of this country should be saved from its Army.

BTS fans - the 'ARMY' - tell us about their feelings, failures, passions, and struggles all the time.

You cannot defeat Islamic State with airstrikes only. It's necessary to cooperate with ground troops, and the Syrian army is the most efficient and powerful ground force to fight the Islamic State.

I accept that the Army must do what it thinks it needs to get people to join, but I think they ought to be extremely cautious about the message they send outside.

Even though the National Guard and Army Reserve see combat today, it rankles me that people assume it was some kind of waltz in the park back then.