Grand Tour - Softcover

This novel details the coming of age of two young, idealistic Americans, one in the bawdy seaports of the 20th Century and the other in the terrible crucible of the Civil War. In turn, ribald, humorous, serious, passionate, and tragic, their stories limn an innocent America and foreshadow their own loss of innocence in exchange for maturity in an imperfect world.Jake Randolph serves in the famous Vermont Brigade during one of the most terrible battles in the Civil War while his great-grandson, Howard Randolph, serves on two U.S. warships during the Korean War era. During their tours of duty they learn the meaning of duty, friendship, and love.The shock of encounters with the outside world and their country's military cultures in times of crisis season these callow farm boys. Through harsh experience they learn to cope with the world as it is and not as they wish it would be.

The author is a retired editor and assistant publisher of a monthly publication in the association field. He served on board the U.S.S. New Jersey during the Korean War. His hobbies include the reading of history, especially those books describing Vermont?s role in the Civil War, and trying to break the 100 barrier in golf. His greatest joy is following the development of his first grandchild, a gorgeous young lady named Mya.