Benjamin Busch talked about his book, Dust to Dust: A Memoir, in which he reflects on mortality. He recounted how he returned from a brutal tour of war and his young daughter did not recognize him. Then his parents died, changing his place in the social structure. He talked about his childhood, Marine training, deployment to Iraq, and his career as an actor and writer. After his presentation he was interviewed by George Packer and then responded to questions from members of the audience at the Strand Bookstore.