by John Kerry
First published 1971
A young soldier navigates the complexities of military life and combat duty in this early work of fiction. The protagonist faces the harsh realities of war while questioning the meaning of service and sacrifice. Kerry draws the character through moments of intense conflict, both external battles and internal struggles with duty, morality, and survival. The soldier must reconcile his ideals with the brutal facts of warfare, making choices that will define his understanding of courage and honor. The story examines how war changes those who fight it, stripping away illusions while revealing deeper truths about human nature under extreme pressure. At its heart, this is a story about a young man's transformation through the crucible of military experience.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, military-fiction, action
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-transformation, internal-conflict
Paperback · Collier Books
Content warnings: violence