Interview Quote by Charles Brandt
““Eliciting information from Frank Sheeran about his combat experiences was the most difficult part of the interview process. It was two years before he could accept the fact that his combat experience was even worth discussing. And then it became painstaking and stressful for both a respectful questioner and his reluctant subject, with many stops and starts. To””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer, Charles Brandt, 1999
The interview struggled because the subject resisted confronting painful war memories, making the process slow and emotionally taxing for both parties.
In simple terms: Interviewing war veterans can be hard when they avoid painful memories.
Key Takeaway
Approach with patience and empathy.
Themes
trauma
memory
interview
empathy
trust
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- veteran counseling
- historical research
- documentary filmmaking
- psychotherapy
Key Concepts
psychology
combat stress
narrative
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can interviewers build trust with reluctant subjects?
- What techniques help ease discussion of traumatic experiences?
A Different Perspective
The subject’s reluctance may limit the depth of information gathered.
