Wendel Berry was a not too far away, he was reading from ‘Andy Catlett’ his last book (Counterpoint LLC). Wendel Berry’s words were not unfamiliar perhaps, because, Weldell’s presence is anything but unfamiliar. From his selection for the evening his character Andy, exposed some of the realities of war times. ‘Andy’ experienced for the first time, the expansion of his world when he traveled abroad. Andy thought war involved such things as: learning to kill, confronting death, deciding upon the lives of others—be it an enemy soldier or a civilian. But above all war as he experienced it, was a process, which caused dramatic changes. War changed itself, but is also changed all the people involved. War changed Andy's very essence.

Being in a war allowed conflicting values to surface: What does it mean to fight for a nation? What does it mean to kill a child? The character talks about watching others being killed, buildings being blown up, and witnessing the environment around being destroyed. Facing death, and the human fragility, made Andy aware of what it means to be a human. A human much alike those on the other side of the firing line, and much like those waiting for him back home.

Wendel Berry was in Madison, WI to speak of ‘courage’ the central theme of the 2009, Wisconsin Book Festival. But he also spoke about the connection between people and the land. His choosing of a war topic may have surprised many people who expected his words to lean heavily towards the connection with the land. His presence, however, is a symbol of that human-land connection. But, perhaps Berry wanted to tell the audience ‘Do not forget about the war’. This country is in war times. There are many men and women, who are sent away in the name of this nation. These people would be changed in a drastic way, perhaps in a a way similar to what Andy Catlett experienced.

Berry’s choice and talk was a reminder of the interconnections. It was humanity at its best. It was a reminder of the fragility of that we call life. It was Wendell Berry after all!