Posted on 09/02/2003 7:42:46 AM PDT by kattracks
NEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Lynch, the former prisoner of war whose capture and rescue from an Iraqi hospital made her a national hero, has agreed to a $1 million book deal with publisher Alfred A. Knopf."Many folks have written, expressing their support for me and for the thousands of other soldiers who serve their country," Lynch said in a statement issued Tuesday by Knopf.
"I feel I owe them all this story, which will be about more than a girl going off to war and fighting alongside her fellow soldiers. It will be a story about growing up in America."
"I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story," co-written by Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Bragg, is scheduled to come out in mid-November with a first printing of around 500,000 copies, Knopf spokesman Paul Bogaards said.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but a source close to the negotiations said Lynch and Bragg will divide a $1 million advance. The source spoke on condition of anonymity.
"I feel a kinship with Jessica and her family, and am thrilled at the prospect of bringing this story to the wider world," Bragg said in the statement issued by Knopf. He has been granted exclusive access to Lynch and her family.
Lynch received a medical discharge last week from the Army, making her eligible to pursue book or movie deals.
Lynch, 20, suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries when her 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah on March 23.
Her rescue on April 1 made her a celebrity. She joined the Army to get an education and become a kindergarten teacher.
She returned home to Palestine, W.Va., in July to a hero's welcome after a long stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"I am feeling better every day, and all the good wishes of the many who have written have certainly kept my spirits up," Lynch said. "I am walking with crutches, but my doctors tell me that as I gain strength I will be able to walk on my own again soon. I am looking forward to those first steps."
Bragg has written several books, including the memoir "All Over but the Shoutin'," and won the feature-writing Pulitzer in 1996, two years after he began working for The New York Times. He resigned from the Times in May after the newspaper suspended him over a story that carried his byline but was reported largely by a freelancer.
Well, she'll probably have to do interviews to promote the ghostwritten book anyway; I don't know the terms of her moneymaking deal, but I doubt her publisher would let her get away with completely avoiding interviews for the promotional period of the book. But it's still disgusting for a person to cash in this way though.
"Would any FReepers join me in signing a petition to be delivered to Lynch in Palestine, W. Virginia, that all of the profits of her book (except some expenses to cover her own costs) go to: the families of those battle slain in her Army Maintenance Division, such as trust funds or scholarships for those left behind?"
It must be nice for AmericanInTokyo to know better than other people how they should use their money. Kind of shocking to see such ideology of FR, though.
What do you mean you don't care? You're the one that brought it up.
A person can make a bad choice no matter what the gender. The big bad wolf comment is a play on people's perceptions.
Bad choice? Nah, you revealed what really upsets you, her gender.
Then you can move to Cuba where people are not allowed to cash in. Why aren't you holding Franks to the same standard you hold Lynch? Could it be...her gender? Yeah, could be.
Yep, you sure did.
I have said that I applaud her for doing her job.
Yes said that as a front to give you a way to snipe at her.
Why do you feel it necessary to put words into my mouth?
You do that on your own.
Goodness. I'd never disagree with her right to cash in. She can do anything she wants.
Why aren't you holding Franks to the same standard you hold Lynch?
Franks was not involved in a tragedy like Lynch was. Apples and oranges.
Could it be...her gender? Yeah, could be.
That would make thing easier for you wouldn't it? The issue isn't gender, it's poor decision making.
What do you mean you don't care? You're the one that brought it up.
Yeah, to give you a little tweak. And it worked. I don't care what a soldier's gender is. If women want to do it, fine. More people between me and the enemy is a good thing!
Yes you do. You said that she should spend it a certain way and if she doesn't spend it your way, that she isn't a moral person.
I have NEVER said otherwise.
Yep, you sure did.
The FACT that her character will be shown in how she handles the notability and how she spends the money is not trying to control her.
Yes it is.
It is a fact that whole world will see who she really is, whatever that may be (I have not said one way or another). I have made no suggestions as to how to spend the money nor will I. My comments to this fact is not controlling.
You say that the way she spends money will show if she's a moral person or not. You are trying to control other people's money. That's socialism. You are being a self-righteous hypocrite because you won't tell us what you've bought over the last year. You want to judge Lynch on how she spends money but you are not willing to have other people judge you on how you spend yours. You are inconsistent. You can't judge a person by how they spend their money anyway. I suppose you think that SUV drivers are all going to hell?
You know my biggest grip is that the Feds will take 50% of whatever she makes - now that is a crime.
Yeah, it is.
She is not a hero, that is my only contention. Anything else you try to project onto me is intellectually dishonest on your part.
What does hero or non-hero have to do with it? I don't see any Lynch supporters trying to cram the hero thing down anyone's throat. Buy you Lynch complainers keep acting as if we are. The only thing we've been saying from what I've seen is that we should humbly appreciate the sacrifices of others.
Please show me where I am a hypocrite? Please post a quote of mine.
Show us your itemized budget.
I NEVER SAID SHE SHOULD GIVE IT TO THE COMMON. YOU ARE A LIAR.
Then where do you want her to give it if you want to judge her on it? What, if she buys a house she's moral, but if she buys a nice car she's not? If she buys a washing machine she's moral, but if she buys a dishwasher she's going to hell? You don't think she should redistribute her money?
I do not go to a church nor do I give money to a church. I donate money and time to real needs in the community and the world. I have no need to assure you of the efficiency of my donations. You need no other information.
Too bad you don't feel the same about Lynch. See what I mean about hypocrisy?
I enjoy G_ds blessing by doing as He commanded. It is between me and G_d and I make to demands on others to do the same. My fruit is in the lives G_d has touched.
It's not for you to judge who's moral and who's not other than for self-protection. God says over and over that He is the judge, not you.
Yes you did. You think she should redistribute her income.
She can do anything she wants.
Not according to you.
Franks was not involved in a tragedy like Lynch was.
Franks was overseeing the War! What do you mean he's not involved? LOL Isn't his book going to be dripping with the blood of all those that ever fought under him, as you guys like to say about Lynch? You are inconsistent.
Apples and oranges.
No, it's the same.
That would make thing easier for you wouldn't it? The issue isn't gender, it's poor decision making.
You made it gender. You admitted it.
So you have no problem allowing women to die for their country, you just don't want to appreciate them for it.
Hey if someone wants to give her money, more power to her.
She didn't ask to be captured and endure whatever they did to her.
I have a problem when several soldiers die in a tragedy and the one soldier left to tell America what happened decides it's time to cash in. How much of that cash is going to the victims families? Why are they less deserving of the million bucks?
You can dance around and cloud the situation with gender isssues but I don't have any hang-ups about it. It's terrible that this former soldier isn't showing her appreciation for the heroes that rescued her.
Don't be too hard on poor (?) sweet Je$$ica. You see, she couldn't remember anything that happened. She couldn't remember the people that risked their lives for her. What's that? 1 Million Dollars??? Yeah, yeah, I guess I can remember after all......
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for legalized prostitution. But I don't call it something it aint.
Number 3 Loser and others need to get real girlfriends and stop worrying about sticking up for poor little Je$$ica. The truth is, she seems the type that wouldn't give them the time of day. Not even if they saved her life. Well, unless they could bring the CASH.
Yes you did. You think she should redistribute her income.
I think it was wrong for her to cut a million dollar deal while the heroes around her and the familes of the heroes who died protecting her aren't given nearly the same level of treatment. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I struck such a bargin
She can do anything she wants.
Not according to you.
She can do what ever she wants. My point is, just because a person CAN do something doesn't always mean that they should. There are ethical and moral responsibilities that we all must consider.
Franks was overseeing the War! What do you mean he's not involved? LOL Isn't his book going to be dripping with the blood of all those that ever fought under him, as you guys like to say about Lynch? You are inconsistent.
He was not directly involved in this particular incident with this one small team getting lost. He's brilliant, but he's not a micromanager.
And his story, in his own words can be easily found in many interviews and articles. He's not holding out for an exclusive rights deal, he's an honorable man.
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