Just finished this wonderful book a little while ago. I probably would never have picked it up, because between the cover and the name it sounded like chick-lit and I'm not that much of a fan. However, this book has broad appeal and specially to guys. It's the story of a young man who joins the Navy in 1953 and finds out about life. Hamill, the author, blends in so much of the racial and social history of the time and develops the characters beautifully. This is a great book and it's looking for a new home as I ray it forward.