Tim O'Brien is faced with a very tough decision. Should he face his fears and go to war, or run away from his fears? Tim O'Brien goes to war because he can not handle the pressure of not going. He feels his family and friends will call him a traitor. He comes to realize that running is not the answer. Going to Canada would be brave; going to war would be even tougher.

Tim, just out of college, is just drafted to go to the Vietnam War. His first reaction is that of disbelief. Tim feels he is too smart to go to war. He does not believe that he should have to fight a war that he fells is unjust. After this state of disbelief Tim, while at work, experiences a "crack." He describes it as something breaking open in his chest. To him it felt like...