Shall Never See So Much is authored by Atlanta writer Gerald Gillis, and deals with the events of the first half of the year 1968.
It is written from the point of view of a brother and sister-twenty-something, highly spirited Chicago natives Tom and Kate Flanagan.
Tom is a young Marine officer who is serving in Vietnam when the Tet Offensive erupts all over the country.
He and his platoon are sent into Hue City where the fighting is particularly volatile.
Kate, who has a deep-felt opposition to the war, takes a position on the staff of Sen.
Robert F.
Kennedy, and then works tirelessly to get Kennedy elected to the presidency.
The main characters are at odds over the war, and the fissures that develop threaten their previously close relationship.
The Flanagan family becomes anguished over the events that seem to engulf and overwhelm them.
Gillis' adept use of several minor characters complements the development of his main characters, and adds strength to the overall story.
Shall Never See So Much is a forceful and stimulating novel.
The reader is made to feel the general sense of trepidation that came with an unpopular war, two shocking political assassinations, and a deeply divided American public.
The reader will also feel the stresses that Tom experiences in Vietnam, as the writing here is descriptive and powerful.
His characters are well rounded and human, and evoke a sympathetic quality that gives the reader plenty of reasons to maintain a high level of interest as the story progresses.
And even though the tragic outcome of Bobby Kennedy's pursuit of the nomination is known beforehand, Gillis still paints a compelling portrait of the campaign.
The way that Gillis interweaves Robert Kennedy into the story is very interesting and his description of the battles raging in Vietnam, as well as the one exploding on the home front in this crucial era of American history is superb.
Readers actually can feel as though they are back in 1968 when reading this well researched, entertaining and insightful piece of fine fiction.
  This is an excellent read for those interested in history in general, and specifically the era of the Sixties.
Shall Never See So Much has such a creative and authentic nucleus to it that the reader will engage early and remain engaged throughout its length.
Gerald Gillis has written a sturdy, informative novel, and I highly recommended it.
It is written from the point of view of a brother and sister-twenty-something, highly spirited Chicago natives Tom and Kate Flanagan.
Tom is a young Marine officer who is serving in Vietnam when the Tet Offensive erupts all over the country.
He and his platoon are sent into Hue City where the fighting is particularly volatile.
Kate, who has a deep-felt opposition to the war, takes a position on the staff of Sen.
Robert F.
Kennedy, and then works tirelessly to get Kennedy elected to the presidency.
The main characters are at odds over the war, and the fissures that develop threaten their previously close relationship.
The Flanagan family becomes anguished over the events that seem to engulf and overwhelm them.
Gillis' adept use of several minor characters complements the development of his main characters, and adds strength to the overall story.
Shall Never See So Much is a forceful and stimulating novel.
The reader is made to feel the general sense of trepidation that came with an unpopular war, two shocking political assassinations, and a deeply divided American public.
The reader will also feel the stresses that Tom experiences in Vietnam, as the writing here is descriptive and powerful.
His characters are well rounded and human, and evoke a sympathetic quality that gives the reader plenty of reasons to maintain a high level of interest as the story progresses.
And even though the tragic outcome of Bobby Kennedy's pursuit of the nomination is known beforehand, Gillis still paints a compelling portrait of the campaign.
The way that Gillis interweaves Robert Kennedy into the story is very interesting and his description of the battles raging in Vietnam, as well as the one exploding on the home front in this crucial era of American history is superb.
Readers actually can feel as though they are back in 1968 when reading this well researched, entertaining and insightful piece of fine fiction.
  This is an excellent read for those interested in history in general, and specifically the era of the Sixties.
Shall Never See So Much has such a creative and authentic nucleus to it that the reader will engage early and remain engaged throughout its length.
Gerald Gillis has written a sturdy, informative novel, and I highly recommended it.
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