When Pride was Not an Option

Hello David:

Different people write about war for a variety of reasons...more often than not because sex and violence sell, and war movies/books more than deliver.

I am speechless as I read this work...it is absolutely amazing beyond words. I can tell you how intensely gripping the book is from the very start, but I sense you wouldn't care. What makes makes this book so unique is the heart behind it: a heart which has gained a tremendous amount of wisdom through some very harsh experiences which most of us will never have to know. I believe that the trauma which you have experienced is not without redemption. You may be saving many lives unawares by virtue of imparting your hard-earned wisdom to those who might otherwise make the same mistakes as you did in your youth; i.e., being caught up in the "glory" of war.

I pray that you may continue to find healing and peace. A thankful (and unfortunately, even a thankless) nation owes more to you and to your fellow soldiers than they will ever know.

Blessings to you and thanks for so transparently giving of yourself to write this book.

James Revoir

The way this book is written is like I'm sitting at David's kitchen table, coffee in hand, listening to him talk about how his life went into this completely unplanned direction that took him on a profound and profoundly unexpected, never-dreamed of journey. His understanding of who he was as a teen - over forty years ago - is recalled as though it was yesterday when he half, or more than half hoped his parents would reach out and reel him back in before he had signed his fate away to the military. His disillusionment with the treatment in boot camp is strangely juxtaposed against his pride in having accomplished both getting through basic training and his learning to start reading people and situations - something kids don't often do, but adults must learn to do.

I can't help but feel angry with his parents for not protecting him, but I don't know what it would be like to have a father who served in the military (my father had scoliosis and was denied), I don't come from a family that takes pride in military service or accomplishments - although my sister's father-in-law recalls his time in the military, during WWII as the most rewarding time of his life, the time he was most alive. I don't have sons, only daughters, so don't know how to relate to a mother who would not only let but enable her son to join the military. In our home, if either of our daughters decided to go into the military I would go into complete and irreversible shock, I think. So from my experience, I can't help but feel angry with David's parents.

This story is compelling and I will be back to read more. It is written as though it is being spoken and I can hear it being told to me, rather than feeling like I'm reading it. It's absorbing and I have not found myself distracted in any way. This is a story that needs to be told and I feel privileged to be included among those who are reading it.

David, I'll be back, I wish you all the best. You said you're still working on chapters 16 and 17. I'm a slow reader, so I have plenty of time. You've only just come out of boot camp and had an awkwardly lit cigarette in front of your family.

Wishing you well,
Judy

The Cover is a PERFECT fit for the story inside. Your writing draws the reader in as an observer and as a participant which encourages you to continue on to see what the next adventure is and the feelings related. So many of the feelings expressed are feelings anyone can relate to and others leave one wondering how you ever forged ahead. Your expression of feelings is also extremely brave. Not many people would admit to feeling them in the first place, let alone publish them in any public forum. I admire your service and your willingness to be vulnerable in a book that is written about such a difficult time in your life and our history, which is again where we find ourselves now. The way you have written your book is not the usual war related book, it covers so many facets; growing up, family and life in general. Your descriptions of how easily seemingly simple choices can impact one's entire life are so clear and would be difficult for anyone to challenge. I would hope it would make someone stop and think a bit before making similar choices. Reading, I can actually see your Mom asking you if you are sure, and feel the pain she must have felt when you answered. I am not finished reading and will make additional comments but just wanted to share with you the impact reading your book has had on me and encourage you to continue! This would be a good book for teens who may struggle with some of the same feelings you describe but would never share them. Thank You for Your service! Welcome Home!

Oh David, you write about something most of us will never experience and you do it so vividly. These chapters are gripping. One suggestion is to delete the exclamation marks -- they're distracting and the text reveals the tension, as well your emotions. Just use exclamation marks for things exclaimed - "Full Suppresion! Both sides!" etc. Also, I feel something similar about the italics used for emphasis and I'm guilty of the same thing in vessels. Your short pitch caught my attention. Your long pitch should be broken into a few smaller paras for easier reading and "countries" should be "country's". Great work! Backed!
Katherine of vessels

Great writing! I also like your attitude. Doesn´t matter if I make it to the top or not. I feel the same. Yet your story is worth being published. Read up to chapter 13. It's like a movie.
Karel AFRICAN DIARY

This is a very exciting, heartfelt story. High stars and good luck with it.

Cathy x

David,
Very gripping and compelling. I am ex military and so this is the book I look for. I know it is sad, I find it hard to read other genres.....
Well done mate. Its a winner.

Sean

...your writing is compelling David.
Sharp, riveting and drawing me in to your sensitive story... thanks for giving me the privilege to read it.

best wishes,
Linda Horowitz,
While the Sands Whisper

Hello David.

Thank you for everything you have done for US. I've often wondered what it's like for a boy be forced through a maturing process like war. I saw this book and the alluring cover on another person's list and I had to check it out. Since I work a crazy job that is taking too much of my time recently, I try to chose a couple chapters from the middle and one near the end when I look at books here.

I agree with some of the comments below regarding the voice of this story. It is not pretentious or over done. You write like you are telling family or friends. Your voice is a younger you - not that of an older, wiser man looking back and trying to tell the story.

I like it overall. I'd like to read more. There are a few tense issues that caught me off guard and made me stop and go back and some repetativeness in word choice - but nothing a little polishing would not fix.

Best of luck! You are appreciated. God bless you.

Stacy G.

David I'm not quite fifty but I took care of and drank with a lot of veterans when I was in and out of the service. I'm digging your attitude and your book. I'll keep reading and review after. Also while I didn't do much fighting in Persian Gulf I, I did stir up a rukus for two and half years all over West Africa. I don't know if I'll ever have the courage to put that to paper.--JL

WHEN PRIDE WAS NOT AN OPTION
This is an interesting story. It opens with a look inside at what it feels like to be a soldier in the middle of a battle. Then goes back and describes what it was like to live in the 60s. The mark of this is your writing style. You write with a great deal of detail (which makes everything that is happening seem real) but you also know not to include so much detail you bog down your story. I’m sure you’ll find a wide audience for this among veterans who will like to be assured the horror of war they experienced wasn’t unique (it was happening to everyone). You’ll also find readers among soldiers’ families as it can help family members understand why a loved one came back from a war a different person than the one who left). Highly starred and added to my shelf. Wanttobeawriter: Who Killed the President?

Wow - what a wonderful book! The writing is straight from the heart - vivid and exhilerating. It took me into a world about which I know very little and I was drawn into the story right from the start. The way you think aloud in the story is brilliant and means the reader is right with you every step of the way. Feeling your uncertainty, your anguish, your fear - every raw emotion. It must have completely drained you to write in this way and I very much admire and respect you.

I read several chapters and a couple of small points in the early chapters caught my attention and may help. In the first chapter 'It's time I made a wave' I didn't quite understand the bit "No I wasn't" in the para which starts 'It sounded like he was going to go along with what wanted etc'. The 'No I wasn't' didn't seem to refer back to the previous para but it may have been just my misunderstanding.

The other point is the use of 'your' rather than 'you're' in several places e.g. 'So... your home early' and 'I guess your right'. But these are small things and I soon forgot them as I was drawn further and further into this excellent book.

Thank you so much for sharing this and I hope to continue reading when I have some more time! Highly rated and I hope to find some space on my shelf in the not too distant future!

Margaret Weston
How do I know I know God?

Hello , very exciting and above all conveying the stresses of combat , which are normally ignored or glossed over, it puts ones own petty fears in perspective , though of course they are real enough - the fear before making that important phone call! Before telling a girl how you really feel! Though ,of course, you don't wind up in hospital or the cemetery with those experiences. You really have an excellent, very trenchant style which is perfect for the subject you are describing. Watchlisted and starred.Definite publication potential.Would you have the time to look at the first chapter of my novel 'A Buccaneer' which is set amongst Pirates in the 17th century , with best wishes , Strachan Gordon

Just finished the chapter, Bigger Steps and enjoyed it very much. You have a real knack of remembering well what it really is like as a teenager, the things you think about and want to do, the need to be treated like an adult and get in on the "men's talk." It comes across authentically and very ordinary which is an important image to create in this section here before you hit real combat. It's good to establish well who you were before the Vietnam experience and you do this well. Your honesty rings through and adds more to the narrative. The scene in the airport is well drawn and add a nice bit of shock value to the end of the chapter (jees I'm sure it's common but it's something that never crossed my mind).

The only bits of suggestion I might have are in the first section when you're on leave be careful with your tenses. You plunge into "I was home on leave" towards the beginning and there is no break in the page so it really plunges us in. Since you're sort of in present tense throughout you might want to insert spaces or asterisks to give the reader a pause to absorb the change. The tense there is okay but further down you write "part of me that started growing and hasn't stopped..." when you're writing about a desire for combat. With the tense structure you're inferring that you're still interested in combat or at least that part of you that started growing.." If you reword it to "hadn't" we get the sense that it grew back then only. They are only little nits though. Kristin

I've read the next chapter, Next Steps and found that very engaging. You give us a real sense of what the initial training is like and how it set against your expectations. The first incident with your friend Bruce trying to score with a hooker was so classic it could be in a novel. You also gave a good accurate sense of who kept you company on the bus, the motely crew that arrived and needed to be shaped up into a unit. The drill seargents are classic and well characterized too. The polished narrative flows along well and you pause at just the right times to immerse us in key scenes that reveal your own development and thoughts and sense of disillusionment and reordering of your ideas.

There are just one or two elements I wondered about here. Though we all have our ideas of what a base looks like from films and what your barracks looked like you might give us more of a sense of it here. This would emphasize more what I suppose is the only area you saw in your 6 weeks there-- the barracks, the canteen, the grounds. The only other element I wondered is what happened to Bruce? Did you make other friends at all yet? I don't really get a sense except a hint that you didn't really when you talk about the brotherhood. (funny enough Bruce was my other brother's name, the one who went AWOL. He enlisted in late 68 I think, though he was in NJ and then later onto CA. Scored high on test. They wanted to make him an officer, he said no way. They had him as an mp for a while then assigned him to missile training--hated it. Drug dealers mostly and they got him on some hard stuff).

This is really very well polished and very engaging. Part of its strong appeal is that it's so very honest in its self appraisal. Kristin

After reading the prologue and chapter 1 it is evident that this memoir is in the hands of a real storyteller. The prologue gives a real build up of tension and fear and draws the reader in with its compelling detail that makes the reader feel as if they were right there alongside of David. As we move into the first chapter we are thrown back into his home town where we see David in his family environment and school and observe the type of boy he was before his army experience. The time period is clearly laid out for the reader so we know how he viewed his world and what its particularly limitations were for that time. He was an ordinary kid in an ordinary town, something he conveys well with his desire to be one of the gang, to cruise around in a car and stare out the window in Latin class. But how ordinary is he really? To get up out of class and decide there was nothing more to learn shows us something different about David. To make the choice to enlist and to commit to it after finding out he'd gotten into a college at junior year (what about SATs- or was that what the test was). It is a crazy move but one the author helps us to understand -- the sense of distinction, the need to prove himself in that way and of course the army hard sell.

Your pace and style suit the memoir style story you're telling and create something that is very compelling. The only things you might consider is in the prologue, if you would explain what an L.Z. is the first time that would help us non soldiers. And in the first chapter you wrote "I think I'm wanna drop out." Both of which are just tweaks. The final thing I wondered was if you knew anything about Viet Nam at all. Were you aware of the conflict at that time? I know it was on the news then, but I can see that you might not have. Your parents, too. Didn't they mention it at all? I think you might want to address it one way or the other in the first chapter.

This is a story that reads really well and on that merit I will come back. But I also found it so interesting in comparing to my brother. You helped me understand a bit more why he gave up college (he was 17) and enlisted, making my parents sign the papers. Highly rated. Kristin

David,

I read your prologue and the chapter after it.

I think that your prologue is an atmospheric one, but could use a bit of tidying up. You use a lot of fragments and short sentences in order to build tension, but its use was not careful and made it a touch heavier than it could be. It is a fine prologue however, one tat made me turn the page.

The chapter that followed was a long one, filled with straight-forward narration of events. I enjoyed the first part where you paint the scene with colors of times past. In very little room you made me feel as if in one of those movies in sepia colors, where gangs gathered and formed pirate stations and yelled out of convertibles. Your images at this point were easy to follow.

BUT you chose to carry on with this kind of narration all the way to the class - to the home -to the next scene etc... with minor exceptions of glimpses of dialogue...

I read on your profile what your point of view is about your work and the site in general. You might even find my thoughts here of little importance, but I will go ahead and share them with you. The only person that could keep reading after the middle of the first chapter, would be someone who knows you personally. Someone who can relate to the events of your life no matter what.

My suggestion is -and you can discard it without a second thought- since you are working hardon this novel, to make it a bit richer. To add a few up-close moments inbetween your narration (infodump is a better way to say this). Think about it. Wouldn't this be more interesting.

It is an interesting story, David. And I felt awkward not being able to concentrate to read more of it. You can make it shine, I'm sure, there were moments where I enjoyed, even laughed with your MC's thoughts.

5 stars from me for the interesting story and to encourage you to carry on with your hard work.

All the best.

Yannis
The Book of the Forsaken

Hello David:

Different people write about war for a variety of reasons...more often than not because sex and violence sell, and war movies/books more than deliver.

I am speechless as I read this work...it is absolutely amazing beyond words. I can tell you how intensely gripping the book is from the very start, but I sense you wouldn't care. What makes makes this book so unique is the heart behind it: a heart which has gained a tremendous amount of wisdom through some very harsh experiences which most of us will never have to know. I believe that the trauma which you have experienced is not without redemption. You may be saving many lives unawares by virtue of imparting your hard-earned wisdom to those who might otherwise make the same mistakes as you did in your youth; i.e., being caught up in the "glory" of war.

I pray that you may continue to find healing and peace. A thankful (and unfortunately, even a thankless) nation owes more to you and to your fellow soldiers than they will ever know.

Blessings to you and thanks for so transparently giving of yourself to write this book.

James Revoir

OMG! I'm a teenager in vasity. I don't know what I'd have done if I were thrust into such a situation.
Brilliant story telling. Can't wait to read more.

OMG! I'm a teenager in vasity. I don't know what I'd have done if I were thrust into such a situation.
Brilliant story telling. Can't wait to read the rest.

hi David,
your story is gripping and emotional, not only for the fact that a young man joins the army, but for the inner struggle and conflict this man has to endure to flee the confinement of a world which is too small for him.

I found the reasoning and deliberations very interesting, almost like analysing the signposts of existentialism. A young man's development into an adult, who will be fully aware of the grit and heartache this entails, seems to be the real story here. The inner dilemmas are well observed and the physiology of choice is superbly dealt with. Backed.

The way this book is written is like I'm sitting at David's kitchen table, coffee in hand, listening to him talk about how his life went into this completely unplanned direction that took him on a profound and profoundly unexpected, never-dreamed of journey. His understanding of who he was as a teen - over forty years ago - is recalled as though it was yesterday when he half, or more than half hoped his parents would reach out and reel him back in before he had signed his fate away to the military. His disillusionment with the treatment in boot camp is strangely juxtaposed against his pride in having accomplished both getting through basic training and his learning to start reading people and situations - something kids don't often do, but adults must learn to do.

I can't help but feel angry with his parents for not protecting him, but I don't know what it would be like to have a father who served in the military (my father had scoliosis and was denied), I don't come from a family that takes pride in military service or accomplishments - although my sister's father-in-law recalls his time in the military, during WWII as the most rewarding time of his life, the time he was most alive. I don't have sons, only daughters, so don't know how to relate to a mother who would not only let but enable her son to join the military. In our home, if either of our daughters decided to go into the military I would go into complete and irreversible shock, I think. So from my experience, I can't help but feel angry with David's parents.

This story is compelling and I will be back to read more. It is written as though it is being spoken and I can hear it being told to me, rather than feeling like I'm reading it. It's absorbing and I have not found myself distracted in any way. This is a story that needs to be told and I feel privileged to be included among those who are reading it.

David, I'll be back, I wish you all the best. You said you're still working on chapters 16 and 17. I'm a slow reader, so I have plenty of time. You've only just come out of boot camp and had an awkwardly lit cigarette in front of your family.

Wishing you well,
Judy

Cover is an eyecatcher! To think one should be in Latin class instead of a war zone really brings home the contrast and innocence. Chapter 1 gives a great sense of David, his upbringing, values and person. The talk and unexpected 50 a nice touch.nThats as far as I read but I hope I am right that this is a coming of age, survivalist experience. Will definetely read more. 6 starred and added to watchlist, waiting room on shelf.

Cover is an eyecatcher! To think one should be in Latin class instead of a war zone really brings home the contrast and innocence. Chapter 1 gives a great sense of David, his upbringing, values and person. The talk and unexpected 50 a nice touch.nThats as far as I read but I hope I am right that this is a coming of age, survivalist experience. Will definetely read more. 6 starred and added to watchlist, waiting room on shelf.

Dave: You are now backed on my book shelf. Thanks for backing the Dust and the Glory.

Earl Cripe

When Pride is not an option.

This is a story that will touch a lot of people.
A young man who really just wants to leave school, is given the option, join the services or stay at school.
But in calling his parents bluff he joins the army.
The author tells his story wonderfully, it is easy to read and leaves the reader wanting to read more.
Added to my WL I will return to read more.
Star rated
Ruth
A New Day

really compelling long pitch. it feels like it is going to be an emotional ride after that build up. you could break up your long pitch into paragraphs, too, for an easier read.
j
what every woman should know

I read the first chapter. You have an authentic voice. Your story needs told and you do it well. Starred, regards, Mark

I find your subject matter fascinating and the opening lines of the prologue were compelling, but I lost interest fairly quickly. For me, it was a matter of style.

As a general proposition, the prologue is not punctuated well (see, e.g., the first three sentences of the second paragraph). Perhaps the unconventional grammar/punctuation is a part of your voice, but I found it off-putting (though I appreciated the action and sentiment conveyed in that second paragraph).

The third paragraph is just too vague. It uses a lot of words to say that "last time" was bad and no one knew what to expect. That idea is easily conveyed, however, in one sentence.

Also, I think you should use exclamation marks a bit more sparingly. Likewise, avoid expressions like "the fact that" (especially twice in the same sentence), for it adds nothing. Indeed, there are many wasted words, cliches, etc. in the prologue that pull the reader out of an otherwise dramatic scene. Likewise, you use too many phrases in each sentence and use too many commas, which stilts the flow. Moreover, it's the idea of repeating the same ideas/thoughts over and over again. Find the best way to express that it was scary and chaotic, yet you found you could act despite the fear/chaos and say it just once. Otherwise, you convey two things to the reader: 1) you don't use words judiciously and 2) either you don't have confidence in yourself to express a given idea OR you don't have confidence in your reader to understand what you're saying. Believe in both yourself and your reader.

Notwithstanding, this is just one reader's opinion and I wish you nothing but the best with this project.

Love your prologue and first chapters! I felt your uncertainty and fear. Reminds me of the stories my grandpa told me about WWII when he was a grunt under Patton (under the influence of Southern Comfort...). You told us in a voice that didn't seem to be an old guy looking back, but we were with that young man and saw and felt what he did. He read like the frightened, confused kid he was! Having been a journalist and dealt over the years with many Vietnam vets' stories (always include a few for Veteran's Day); your story rings with truth about how it was and what it felt like from the ground. I recently felt moved-to-tears at local parade where the 'Nam vets marched and people stood to their feet and gave standing ovations. Your writing is very succinct and poignant. The Prologue on the helicopter drew me right in. I particularly liked your description of the South Vietnamese soldiers - supposed comrades-in-arms, and how the enemy seemed to always see you, but you couldn't see them.
***I obviously haven't read all the way to the end, but presume you have an epilogue? One thing no one ever brings out is that over 1 million people remain in concentration camps in Vietnam to this day. I also did a several stories of the Vietnamese "boat people", who were civilians that escaped certain death from the Viet Cong after the Americans pulled out, leaving them behind to face the wrath of their northern countrymen. It could be of interest (and in the interest of fairness) to mention a few post-war statistics for Vietnam. Here's a helpful site on the stats: http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/SOD.CHAP6.HTM
Approx 3.6 million civilians killed, up to 1.6 million after the war...
For a lot of people, the aftermath of that war for the Vietnamese civilians has been non-existent- all sides had their agenda, and now, out-of sight, out-of mind. Most continue to cling to whatever position they held at the time, without thoughtful review of the results. That said - overall, this is much, much more powerfully written as a personal story from one guy's unique perspective. Often, its this type of personal experience packs a far more powerful punch to future generations than a dry, boring historical presentation. You made it all so real! And - prompted to me (the reader) to think about and write all this! This is the job of the writer! GOOD WORK! My son could sure use this book on his shelf teaching high school history classes!
I've watchlisted and plan to shelf this in my next rotation! Highest stars!

Thank you so much! It is becoming more diffulcult to finish the final edit of the writing as I am going over and over those times that I never had the strength to tell anyone before this. Your encouragement makes it a little easier. To you especially, and all who cared and still do....You are so welcome! David

The Cover is a PERFECT fit for the story inside. Your writing draws the reader in as an observer and as a participant which encourages you to continue on to see what the next adventure is and the feelings related. So many of the feelings expressed are feelings anyone can relate to and others leave one wondering how you ever forged ahead. Your expression of feelings is also extremely brave. Not many people would admit to feeling them in the first place, let alone publish them in any public forum. I admire your service and your willingness to be vulnerable in a book that is written about such a difficult time in your life and our history, which is again where we find ourselves now. The way you have written your book is not the usual war related book, it covers so many facets; growing up, family and life in general. Your descriptions of how easily seemingly simple choices can impact one's entire life are so clear and would be difficult for anyone to challenge. I would hope it would make someone stop and think a bit before making similar choices. Reading, I can actually see your Mom asking you if you are sure, and feel the pain she must have felt when you answered. I am not finished reading and will make additional comments but just wanted to share with you the impact reading your book has had on me and encourage you to continue! This would be a good book for teens who may struggle with some of the same feelings you describe but would never share them. Thank You for Your service! Welcome Home!

Read the prologue. I remember the same feelings and asking myself the same questions. Very descriptive, very real (to me). If you want to make it much more powerful, go through and take out all the passive verbs and rewrite in active voice. Example: You said, "One hand was gripped tight on the trigger." You could say... One hand gripped the trigger; knuckles white in anticipation. Doesn't change the story, but the active voice brings you in even more. You have several instances of passive voice; just think about my suggestion. It will help you show the reader what's going on, not just tell him about it.

Bob, First of I hope your fishing trip was all that! Thanks for the suggestions. Your so right. I am working on it as we speak. The more I edit, the more I realize that I am better at being real than I am proper writing. After all I only had a ninth grade education :-) Thanks so much for taking the time to read some and I hope you will find it interesting enough to read it to the end. David

Read the prologue. I remember the same feelings and asking myself the same questions. Very descriptive, very real (to me). If you want to make it much more powerful, go through and take out all the passive verbs and rewrite in active voice. Example: You said, "One hand was gripped tight on the trigger." You could say... One hand gripped the trigger; knuckles white in anticipation. Doesn't change the story, but the active voice brings you in even more. You have several instances of passive voice; just think about my suggestion. It will help you show the reader what's going on, not just tell him about it.

Good start though. I'll catch more later.

Old Bob
A PLACE IN LIFE

The entire book is there. The chapters after number 11 still have many I's and italics and other editing errors. Please excuse them. I am editing them and replacing each chapter as it is finished. I sincerely hope you enjoy it! David

I'm having trouble with error messages when I try to upload, but will get them up as fast as they allow me to.

The chapters after number 11 have not been edited. I have had several requests to put it up anyway.I quickly went through it and removed a few swear words in the original. There will be none in the final work. I might have missed a few but they are not real bad words. I am editing each chapter and updating it as fast as I can. I thank you all for your patience and understanding and hope you enjoy my work!

I have had several E-Mails requesting that I put the entire book up and edit it later, and put up the revised edition as I complete each chapter. I will do that tonight! Thank you all so very much for your encouragement and kind comments! David

I finished reading chapter 9 last nite, but it was late and I had to sign up to comment. So here it goes,
******** This is a really Great book! Seriously! I have been drawn into the author's life and struggle from page one! It is one of those stories that you want to keep reading to find out what will happen next! I grew up in the Vietnam War Era, and I think that this book is very pertinent to my generation. I was young and carefree at the time, and didn't know anything about what was really going on "Over there". I did not have any brothers and the thought of real people actually volunteering to go fight for our Country wasn't something I paid much attention to. All I knew was that this was not a popular war and a lot of innocent Soldiers were killed. I was trying to get my education and start my Adult life and gain my independence. Then I met my current husband, he was still in the Army, he had to enlist due to the fact his draft number was numer 3. He was still stationed in Fort Hamilton when I met him, and he was looking down the road at the end of his enlistment. He told me very little of what he had been through, but he had not been directly in the combat zone. He had top secret clearance and didn't divulge any information to me.I do know it has affected his life in many ways....

This book is very timely, it lets those of us who sat back and didn't involve ourselves in the goings on of the country at the time, sit up and listen to reality. As a mother, I can totally relate to thisbook. I have a son who wanted to enlist in the Air Force, before our country was involved in the current War. He has now thanked me for encouraging him to think twice, and is now married. I could not image parting with my son knowing I may never see him again. I told him whatever he did with his life, it was valued and he didn't need to trade the possibility of death, for a funded College Education. I'd rather he worked mopping floors and was alive, than take the risk! He is now College Educated, and in a field he loves!

In conclusion, I am really enjoying this book, getting a new education and confirming that for once, (I hope), I steered my son in the right direction. The Author is certainly one of the brave few that could endure the stress and change he had to go through to find his place in the world! I applaud him!
Great Book!!

Chapter nine is coming soon. They are one chapter behind because of the prologue. I am receiving many kind comments and I appreciate them very much. I am finishing them as fast as I can wiithout sacrificing editing mistakes. Thanks for your patience! David

First off, your cover and title pulled me right in! Then I started reading the story and I fell right into your theme. I grew up in the sixties and found it so easy to relate to your first chapter. The music, Latin class, street lights meant time for home, etc. so many great lines. I am shelving this for talented writing and a riveting story. Ill be back for more and further comment. The only editing issues I noticed were that many of your paragraghs begin with "I" or "They" so maybe you can mix that up a bit - easy to fix. Otherwise, thanks for a great entertaining piece of literature. This will do well here.

Skater

Thank you so much for the kind comments! I agree with your suggestions completely! That is exactly what I am working on. The book is finished, this is my final editing. There will be less as I continue. Thank you for being honest with me. I need that. it also made your praise for the book that much more. It makes me feel that I am accomplishing what I am trying to to, and a reason to continue! I look forward to any other comments you may have! Sincerly! David

First off, your cover and title pulled me right in! Then I started reading the story and I fell right into your theme. I grew up in the sixties and found it so easy to relate to your first chapter. The music, Latin class, street lights meant time for home, etc. so many great lines. I am shelving this for talented writing and a riveting story. Ill be back for more and further comment. The only editing issues I noticed were that many of your paragraghs begin with "I" or "They" so maybe you can mix that up a bit - easy to fix. Otherwise, thanks for a great entertaining piece of literature. This will do well here.

Skater

Oh David, you write about something most of us will never experience and you do it so vividly. These chapters are gripping. One suggestion is to delete the exclamation marks -- they're distracting and the text reveals the tension, as well your emotions. Just use exclamation marks for things exclaimed - "Full Suppresion! Both sides!" etc. Also, I feel something similar about the italics used for emphasis and I'm guilty of the same thing in vessels. Your short pitch caught my attention. Your long pitch should be broken into a few smaller paras for easier reading and "countries" should be "country's". Great work! Backed!
Katherine of vessels

Katherine, Thannk you so much for your kind comments I will take them very seriously. They do make sense! I have uploaded chapter one. Please send me the information on how to get to your book as I am brand new to all this and still have trouble navagating my way around. Thanks again MUCH appreciated! David

Oh David, you write about something most of us will never experience and you do it so vividly. These chapters are gripping. One suggestion is to delete the exclamation marks -- they're distracting and the text reveals the tension, as well your emotions. Just use exclamation marks for things exclaimed - "Full Suppresion! Both sides!" etc. Also, I feel something similar about the italics used for emphasis and I'm guilty of the same thing in vessels. Your short pitch caught my attention. Your long pitch should be broken into a few smaller paras for easier reading and "countries" should be "country's". Great work! Backed!
Katherine of vessels