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The Chess Players, A Novel of the Cold War
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Description edit
It is 1968. The US naval war in Vietnam is at peak level of intensity. USS Ticonderoga, Attack Carrier 14, is in the Gulf of Tonkin for her fifth combat cruise of the war prosecuting Operation Rolling Thunder. The historical naval novel has moved forward from the Napoleonic Wars of C.S.... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
A marine awarded for valor at Khe Sanh in 1967 is accused of assault after liberty in Hong Kong in 1968. Two bright naval officers are asked to undertake what superficialily appears to be a hopeless defense. By sheer devotion to justice and teanacity they learn of emerging theories of post... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters edit
- LTJG Robert Cannon, USNR: A very bright, but intense and driven office rloves an underdog and by sheer force of will leads the defense team
- ENS Ned Chase, USNR: A Harvard educated, Boston Brahmin, is searching for his identity in the cultrural milieu of the US Navy. He admires Cannon for his commitment and dedication and in turn represents the style and status that Cannon seeks.
- LCPL Cachora, USMC: A half-Hopi marine, he was awarded the Navy Cross for valor in the Hill Fights in 1967 in Khe Sanh. In 1968 post traumatic symptoms erupt when firecrackers explode near him on the Fleet Landing in Hong Kong
Quotes edit
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““I haven’t seen any definitive data, but it’s safe to assume they will be higher than the dead and wounded. We are now using a phrase Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, for short, to describe many of these casualties.” “Doctor, is that a phrase that some soft-minded, egghead shrink in Cambridge or Berkeley invented for this war?” Cannon turned his back to Stein and looked right at Lt. Radano when he asked the question."Not at all. It is all very real in military medicine. PTSD qualifies for cash disability payments with Congress and the Veterans Administration."”
Organizations edit
- US Navy: Add a description of this organization.
- USMC
- USS Ticonderoga
- Columbia University
- Harvard University
- American Psychiatric Association: Specifically, the novel is set in 1968 when the concept of post traumatic stress was just being formulated. In 1980 it was formally admitted in the DSM iV as a medically recognized disorder.
First Sentence edit
On the way from Yankee Station to Singapore, USS Ticonderoga, Attack Carrier 14 crossed the equator and celebrated the initiation of “pollywogs” into the Realm of Neptunus Rex. Three thousand shipmates were initiated during the morning watch.
Table of Contents edit
Chapter 1. A Defense Team for LCPL Cachora, USMCp. 8
Chapter 2. Trouble for the Defense p. 25
Chapter 3. The Court-Martial of Lance Corporal Cachora, USMC p. 42
Chapter 4. Ltjg. Cannon Briefs the Court p. 90
Chapter 5. The Testimony of Lance Corporal Juan Cachora p. 99
Themes & Symbolism edit
- Killers and civilization are the other victims of war: Stone reads the citation silently, then he hands the citation to Mates. “He was one, damn-fine marine.” Mates carefully reads through the entire citation, and looks up, “I love that boy like kin. The en’my never broke ‘im.” Chase spoke again. “No. His personal aversion to killing broke him.”The coda was added by Cannon. “Two Arrows is a civilized man. At the core, he is what every civilization must have—men who are conscientious objectors to killing.”
Series & Lists edit
This book is in The Chess Players, A Novel of the Cold War. (standard series)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Francis J. Partel Jr. (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Navy Log Books, Navy Log LLC
Country: USA
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-615-41451-5
Page Count: 386
Publisher: Navy Log Books, Navy Log LLC
Country: USA
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-615-41451-5
Page Count: 386
Notes for Parents edit
Reading Level: Young AdultsTasteful but mature scenes of lovemaking. All characters are highly estimable, positive models for men and women.. Strong narrative. Well-researched naval story of the Cold War in 1967 and reflecting the tensions wrought of the nuclear age. Highly relevant simile to the current anxieties about the War on Terror.
Subjects edit
Links to Supplemental Material edit
- A Wound in the Mind: Information on the novel, the author, excerpts from the book, and where to purchase the book.
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