Ultraviolet Drab
Mike had just not understood the workings of the military that day in late 1942 when he enlisted. He thought the recruiter had promised him a job as an airplane mechanic on Oahu, far behind the lines, among swaying palms and hula girls. He should have listened more closely. But after nearly being killed by that tornado that blitzed Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and his reassignment to an ultra-hazardous mechanized reconnaissance outfit awaiting deployment in Texas, he just wants to get out of the U.S. Army anyway he can—except in a box—and back home to his big Italian-American family in New York City. Someone else can fight the goddam war!
But everyone in the U.S. Army in World War II wants something. Captain Wesley Wickett covets a promotion and the self-preserving power over other men that higher rank derives. The lowly Private Dimel unknowingly stands in his way. Refusing to kowtow to the despised captain or to army processes, Dimel inexplicably gains the grudging respect of Top Sergeant Keller and the enigmatic squadron commander, Colonel Eglebrook, who sees in the private a reminder of what the war has already torn from him. Each with his own purpose, together they form an unconsecrated triumvirate in opposition to Captain Wickett.
With historical accuracy, the tale follows the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron from training at Camp Maxey, Texas, to the arsenal that is pre-invasion England, to the beaches of Normandy and as part of the Allied juggernaut across northern France. Private Dimel does his duty as the army sees his duty to be, but without ever losing sight of his own singular purpose of finding his way the hell out of it all. Comrades in arms, whose inevitable physical and emotional debilitation proves the truth that war forever changes men, join him on the march. The greatest of human qualities—intelligence, courage and compassion—are ripped from the constitutions of soldiers implacably exposed to the disorder and devastation of combat. Dimel’s final confrontation with Captain Wickett for what little remains of his ravaged soul is as disturbingly un-resolving as war itself.
"1109140665"
But everyone in the U.S. Army in World War II wants something. Captain Wesley Wickett covets a promotion and the self-preserving power over other men that higher rank derives. The lowly Private Dimel unknowingly stands in his way. Refusing to kowtow to the despised captain or to army processes, Dimel inexplicably gains the grudging respect of Top Sergeant Keller and the enigmatic squadron commander, Colonel Eglebrook, who sees in the private a reminder of what the war has already torn from him. Each with his own purpose, together they form an unconsecrated triumvirate in opposition to Captain Wickett.
With historical accuracy, the tale follows the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron from training at Camp Maxey, Texas, to the arsenal that is pre-invasion England, to the beaches of Normandy and as part of the Allied juggernaut across northern France. Private Dimel does his duty as the army sees his duty to be, but without ever losing sight of his own singular purpose of finding his way the hell out of it all. Comrades in arms, whose inevitable physical and emotional debilitation proves the truth that war forever changes men, join him on the march. The greatest of human qualities—intelligence, courage and compassion—are ripped from the constitutions of soldiers implacably exposed to the disorder and devastation of combat. Dimel’s final confrontation with Captain Wickett for what little remains of his ravaged soul is as disturbingly un-resolving as war itself.
Ultraviolet Drab
Mike had just not understood the workings of the military that day in late 1942 when he enlisted. He thought the recruiter had promised him a job as an airplane mechanic on Oahu, far behind the lines, among swaying palms and hula girls. He should have listened more closely. But after nearly being killed by that tornado that blitzed Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and his reassignment to an ultra-hazardous mechanized reconnaissance outfit awaiting deployment in Texas, he just wants to get out of the U.S. Army anyway he can—except in a box—and back home to his big Italian-American family in New York City. Someone else can fight the goddam war!
But everyone in the U.S. Army in World War II wants something. Captain Wesley Wickett covets a promotion and the self-preserving power over other men that higher rank derives. The lowly Private Dimel unknowingly stands in his way. Refusing to kowtow to the despised captain or to army processes, Dimel inexplicably gains the grudging respect of Top Sergeant Keller and the enigmatic squadron commander, Colonel Eglebrook, who sees in the private a reminder of what the war has already torn from him. Each with his own purpose, together they form an unconsecrated triumvirate in opposition to Captain Wickett.
With historical accuracy, the tale follows the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron from training at Camp Maxey, Texas, to the arsenal that is pre-invasion England, to the beaches of Normandy and as part of the Allied juggernaut across northern France. Private Dimel does his duty as the army sees his duty to be, but without ever losing sight of his own singular purpose of finding his way the hell out of it all. Comrades in arms, whose inevitable physical and emotional debilitation proves the truth that war forever changes men, join him on the march. The greatest of human qualities—intelligence, courage and compassion—are ripped from the constitutions of soldiers implacably exposed to the disorder and devastation of combat. Dimel’s final confrontation with Captain Wickett for what little remains of his ravaged soul is as disturbingly un-resolving as war itself.
But everyone in the U.S. Army in World War II wants something. Captain Wesley Wickett covets a promotion and the self-preserving power over other men that higher rank derives. The lowly Private Dimel unknowingly stands in his way. Refusing to kowtow to the despised captain or to army processes, Dimel inexplicably gains the grudging respect of Top Sergeant Keller and the enigmatic squadron commander, Colonel Eglebrook, who sees in the private a reminder of what the war has already torn from him. Each with his own purpose, together they form an unconsecrated triumvirate in opposition to Captain Wickett.
With historical accuracy, the tale follows the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron from training at Camp Maxey, Texas, to the arsenal that is pre-invasion England, to the beaches of Normandy and as part of the Allied juggernaut across northern France. Private Dimel does his duty as the army sees his duty to be, but without ever losing sight of his own singular purpose of finding his way the hell out of it all. Comrades in arms, whose inevitable physical and emotional debilitation proves the truth that war forever changes men, join him on the march. The greatest of human qualities—intelligence, courage and compassion—are ripped from the constitutions of soldiers implacably exposed to the disorder and devastation of combat. Dimel’s final confrontation with Captain Wickett for what little remains of his ravaged soul is as disturbingly un-resolving as war itself.
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Ultraviolet Drab
Ultraviolet Drab
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940013999749 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Michael Skene |
| Publication date: | 02/24/2012 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 7 MB |
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