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Synopsis When his wife beating stepfather dies mysteriously, suspect
Matt Flaherty flees the country and heads to France to join the Foreign
Legion. He meets Jacques Lescoulie,a former Legionnaire who dissuades
him from joining the ranks of the damned. After a romantic interlude,
Matt, under an assumed identity, and his new found friend return to the
United States and join the Marine Corps. They meet Ivan Spears a Zulu
prince and together the trio embark on a warriors life. Testimonials:
"To Keep Our Honor Clean truly brings the Korean War era to life. Chuck Dowling's book is family saga that ripples across the pages with a reality that brilliantly illuminates a forgotten and devastating conflict in American history. It is at once a mixture of the intensely personal and the incredibly brutal. This novel is a must read for anyone interested in post World War ll America, the United States Marine Corps and the Korean War."
"Chuck Dowling writes about the Marine Corps in the style of W.E.B. Griffin…only better. His story of four brothers caught up in the Korean War is an epic look at the life, love and struggles of an American family in post-WW2 and Korea. His knowledge and descriptions of military tactics and combat action are vivid and realistic. A surprising ending too! A fine novel from anybody's perspective."
"As a professor of writing and a retired Marine Corps officer, the book To Keep Our Honor Clean, is a fascinating story of how four brothers could have served together in the Korean War. This book is "must reading" not only for the military historian but also for those who enjoy being absorbed in a book with an excellent plot and with a "surprise ending". Robert W. Larson, Ph.D. "You have done it again. I can't tell which book is better. Rarely do I find a book which is a page turner-you know one that you absolutely cannot start unless you plan to stay up all night to finish it. You have created that kind of book with both of your novels. The reader is quickly drawn into the characters and situations and cannot stop until the whole story is known. All I ask is that you continue to produce these excellent books. You owe it to your readers." Tom Bunyon, Port “To Keep Our Honor Clean" is much more than a war drama. It is a beautiful story of four brothers and their family relationships. The story is vividly told and not for the weak. It also has a mystery, which helps keep the interest all the way to the end. The reader is immediately drawn in to the story. Each character is clearly and interestingly identified which avoids "character confusion" as the story develops. The mystery quickly grabs the reader's interest. I would think that every Marine would enjoy this book for obvious reasons. But non-Marines, both military and lifetime civilians will enjoy it too. It is much more than a war story. The chapters on some of the heroic battles in Korea kept my interest because they moved along well. The technical terms were simplified for a non-military person to follow without being overly instructive. Anyone would certainly understand why "war is hell" after reading this book! Chuck Dowling is obviously very proud of his years of service in the Marine Corps and it shows in the tempo, temperament, and tone of the story. He has held true to the title "To Keep Our Honor Clean." Frederick Cox CWO USN (Ret.) Mr. Dowling shows the sacrifices to the nation of one family … He details very well how it feels to be in combat … A fine historical, factual depiction of the Korean War. The Veteran’s Voice, Inc, February 2003 …This manuscript is everything we were looking for to include in our book menagerie. The author put a lot of thought into this story and his professionalism shines through. …We fell in love with the players we were supposed to and loathed the appropriate players, including the brutal stepfather…We were hooked from page one…Great pace and flow kept us reading through glad times and sad times…We couldn’t stop turning pages. …Your novel was a challenge for our judges to put down.
Character development was so strong and so good; the judges were left
in awe over your work. P. Elizabeth Collins, Above all, this is a story of brotherly love. Not just among
blood brothers, but among all brave men who fight to defend a great cause
and especially among U. S. Marines...among all those who strive to keep
their honor clean.
The author's military experience and research ability shows as the novel shifts from domestic drama to battlefield fiction. The reunited brothers and their friends are involved in the landing at Inchon, the battle for Seoul, and the historic fight at the Chosin Reservoir. Sticking close to historical fact lends an authenticity to the military side of the novel, and the climax of the last battle will give you chills. Not all of the characters return from Korea, and the ones who do come home must confront secrets and the consequences of dishonor. To Keep Our Honor Clean is reminiscent of a time in our country's history when right and wrong seemed as clear as black and white, and when physical might was always an answer. Yet the detailed descriptions of the battles are reminders of the ugliness and pain involved in war, despite even the purest of intentions. Review by Lisa Vick Rain, in rampaging rivulets, raced wildly across the window while the train sped north through the driving storm. The already dim passing scenery was fast fading from view as the dreary day moved from a dismal afternoon into a dark and shiny evening. Matt sat at the window staring at the fast moving vista but not really seeing it. His mind was on what lay ahead. The old railroad car had seen better days. The green felt covered seats were threadbare and some of the armrests were broken. In the center aisle, where millions of feet had trod, the dull metal floor had been rubbed shiny. Green paint peeled from sills and window frames. The few electric lamps that still functioned emitted a dim yellow light that flickered when the train rocked from side to side. At the end of the car, the sliding door opened and closed in rhythm with the motion of the train. The year was 1947. The War had been over for more than two years. Idly, Matt wondered why the Railroad had not yet started to refurbish their equipment. The car was less than half filled. Each passenger had his own double seat. Most of the travelers were spread out, taking full advantage of the room. A few couples sat close together, their needs different than the others passengers. Matt sat alone occupying a single seat near the rain-splattered window. In a few hours they would cross under the Hudson River and travel through the New York City railroad caverns to Pennsylvania Station. He would have to make his way over to Grand Central Station at that point and head up the Hudson River valley on the New York Central Railroad. His final destination…Kingmont. Tears had filled his eyes that morning. Now they were dry. He was giving up the life he had lived for the past three years and perhaps more importantly, the future he had dreamed of living. When he finished what he planned to do, his existence would be changed forever. From this day forward he was to tread a new path, the future unknown. As he stared out the window covered with the bobbing and weaving droplets, he saw his reflection in the glass. His square handsome face was drawn. The confident smile that came easily to him was nowhere to be found now, replaced by something else--self- pity, fear, resolve? He noted that he looked grim, his blue eyes set deeper, his face and close cropped hair darker. Today the tall, sleek athletic body seemed less athletic, less sleek, less military. He didn’t look like a man of action, but more like a man with a burden. The train proceeded on its lurching, rocking journey. Continuing to look at his somber reflection, his mind took him back to the chain of events that had led to this place and time… |
