Plot summary, “The Armies of the Night” by Norman Mailer in 5 Minutes - Book Review

"The Armies of the Night: History as a Novel-The Novel as History" by Norman Mailer, first published in 1968, is a pioneering work in the nonfiction novel genre. The book provides a dual perspective on the October 1967 March on the Pentagon, a protest against the Vietnam War. The first segment, "History as a Novel," details Mailer’s personal experiences during the march, including his arrest and time in custody, written in a narrative style with Mailer as the protagonist. The second part, "The Novel as History," offers a broader historical analysis of the event, examining the organizational strategies of both protesters and authorities, and the dynamics of the protest. The book has won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-fiction and the National Book Award, and remains a significant work for its innovative blend of history and narrative storytelling.