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A Man of His Own
Rick Stanton was a promising professional baseball player with dreams of playing in the major leagues and starting a family with his young wife, Francesca, when World War II changed everything. Rick returns from the war with his body broken and his dreams shattered. But it was not just body and spirit he sacrificed for the war. He and Francesca volunteered their beloved dog, Pax, for the Army’s K-9 Corp, not knowing if they’d ever see him again.
Keller Nicholson is the soldier who fought the war with Pax by his side, and the two have the kind of profound bond that can only be forged in war. Pax is the closest Keller has to a sense of family, and he can’t bear the thought of returning him to the Stantons. But Rick and Francesca refuse to give him up. Instead, an arrangement is made: Keller will work as Rick’s live-in aide. And thus an unlikely family is formed, with steadfast Pax at the center. As they try to build a new life out of the ashes, Keller and Francesca struggle to ignore their growing attraction to each other, and Rick, believing that he can no longer give Francesca what she needs and wants, quietly plans a way out.
All three of them need healing. All three of them are lost. Pax, with his unconditional love and unwavering loyalty, may be the only one who can guide them home.
Keller Nicholson is the soldier who fought the war with Pax by his side, and the two have the kind of profound bond that can only be forged in war. Pax is the closest Keller has to a sense of family, and he can’t bear the thought of returning him to the Stantons. But Rick and Francesca refuse to give him up. Instead, an arrangement is made: Keller will work as Rick’s live-in aide. And thus an unlikely family is formed, with steadfast Pax at the center. As they try to build a new life out of the ashes, Keller and Francesca struggle to ignore their growing attraction to each other, and Rick, believing that he can no longer give Francesca what she needs and wants, quietly plans a way out.
All three of them need healing. All three of them are lost. Pax, with his unconditional love and unwavering loyalty, may be the only one who can guide them home.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2013
91 people are currently reading
2707 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wilson
22 books570 followersBorn in Providence, RI, raised in Middlefield (Rockfall) Connecticut. Post High School Education, Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT and Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT.
Married, two grown daughters and a granddaughter and two grandsons - plus four step grands.
Lives in Oak Bluffs, MA, on Martha's Vineyard.
Those are the stats. I am a novelist, ten published, one in progress. I frequently contribute to the on-line magazine, Stay Thirsty.
Married, two grown daughters and a granddaughter and two grandsons - plus four step grands.
Lives in Oak Bluffs, MA, on Martha's Vineyard.
Those are the stats. I am a novelist, ten published, one in progress. I frequently contribute to the on-line magazine, Stay Thirsty.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
December 12, 2013
This book is a moving account of canine devotion and human love; the latter, almost fractured by war and its attendant physical and emotional damage.
Rick Stanton is a fine baseball player on the verge of a promising career in the major league. He rescues an orphan German Shepherd mix puppy on the street and is devoted to the dog Pax. He gets married to Francesca and as about to move up to the majors, when Pearl Harbour and the entry of the USA into the WW2 changes the course of his life, and that of Pax.
Rick joins the infantry and goes to fight in Europe. He tells Francesca to volunteer Pax for the "Dogs for Defence" scheme, knowing that his intelligence and strength would make him a fine military K9. Pax passes the assessment and training, and is soon serving in Europe with his handler, Keller Nicholson. A loner who has had a difficult childhood and a spell in reform school; but his life is transformed by the K9 Corp, and his work with Pax. The dog has become a powerful, focused military canine, with high level skills in patrolling and identifying enemy forces, especially snipers. He tackles them himself if necessary, to protect his master. They form a great team, and Pax saves Keller's life and survives injury.
Rick is less fortunate and is wounded in an ambush which wipes out his squad. He is permanently disabled and is likely to be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life. He is also suffering from stress disorders and guilt over the loss of his squad. He shares his feelings with no-one. Probably the weakest part of the books is the military action sequences; but the bulk of the story is about the postwar period when the three soldiers return home.
Keller is discharged but volunteers to return Pax to Rick, at the same time toying with the idea of absconding with the dog. He does his duty, but is torn, as is the dog when he is re-united with Rick. Between them they arrive at a novel solution, with Keller staying on as Rick's helper and mobility assistant, and so remaining with "his" beloved dog and walking him every day. They start to train Pax as an assistance dog,picking up stuff for Rick and even moving him in his wheelchair. Pax adapts to this new role again with intelligence and skill, despite his conflicted emotions, revolving around the presence of two masters.
Rick's difficulties in adjusting to his disabilities and guilt feelings as a survivor are described with sympathy and imaginative skill. His frustrations and jealousy at witnessing "his" dog clearly responding to Keller as his trainer and wartime handler, are painfully band effectively described.
A strange relationship develops between the physically and emotionally damaged Rick, Francesca and Keller. Pax is almost serving as the mediator in this unusual triangle. I shall not spoil the story for would be readers, by relating how this works out.
This is a highly charged, emotionally driven story.
The viewpoints of the four main characters are all used to develop the narrative, so single view is allowed to dominate. The author has handled this multiple narrative perspective very well.
A less successful aspect of the book is the sense of period detail. The setting is just over seventy years ago, but 1940's wartime and postwar America was a very different place. People spoke differently, using very different slang and jargon from that in use today. Anyone doubting this should read J.D.Salinger, "Catcher in the Rye" (1951) . Sometimes the language and interaction in "A Man of his Own" came over as too modern to me. Any historical narrative including dialogue and reported speech, is a difficult challenge for an author to manage, and to avoid the language sounding remotely old fashioned. In a way, recent history may be the most difficult period in which to handle the dialogue of the characters.
However the book is a gripping novel. A number of twists and turns in plotting are there to surprise the reader. I certainly plan to read more of Susan Wilson's work.
Rick Stanton is a fine baseball player on the verge of a promising career in the major league. He rescues an orphan German Shepherd mix puppy on the street and is devoted to the dog Pax. He gets married to Francesca and as about to move up to the majors, when Pearl Harbour and the entry of the USA into the WW2 changes the course of his life, and that of Pax.
Rick joins the infantry and goes to fight in Europe. He tells Francesca to volunteer Pax for the "Dogs for Defence" scheme, knowing that his intelligence and strength would make him a fine military K9. Pax passes the assessment and training, and is soon serving in Europe with his handler, Keller Nicholson. A loner who has had a difficult childhood and a spell in reform school; but his life is transformed by the K9 Corp, and his work with Pax. The dog has become a powerful, focused military canine, with high level skills in patrolling and identifying enemy forces, especially snipers. He tackles them himself if necessary, to protect his master. They form a great team, and Pax saves Keller's life and survives injury.
Rick is less fortunate and is wounded in an ambush which wipes out his squad. He is permanently disabled and is likely to be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life. He is also suffering from stress disorders and guilt over the loss of his squad. He shares his feelings with no-one. Probably the weakest part of the books is the military action sequences; but the bulk of the story is about the postwar period when the three soldiers return home.
Keller is discharged but volunteers to return Pax to Rick, at the same time toying with the idea of absconding with the dog. He does his duty, but is torn, as is the dog when he is re-united with Rick. Between them they arrive at a novel solution, with Keller staying on as Rick's helper and mobility assistant, and so remaining with "his" beloved dog and walking him every day. They start to train Pax as an assistance dog,picking up stuff for Rick and even moving him in his wheelchair. Pax adapts to this new role again with intelligence and skill, despite his conflicted emotions, revolving around the presence of two masters.
Rick's difficulties in adjusting to his disabilities and guilt feelings as a survivor are described with sympathy and imaginative skill. His frustrations and jealousy at witnessing "his" dog clearly responding to Keller as his trainer and wartime handler, are painfully band effectively described.
A strange relationship develops between the physically and emotionally damaged Rick, Francesca and Keller. Pax is almost serving as the mediator in this unusual triangle. I shall not spoil the story for would be readers, by relating how this works out.
This is a highly charged, emotionally driven story.
The viewpoints of the four main characters are all used to develop the narrative, so single view is allowed to dominate. The author has handled this multiple narrative perspective very well.
A less successful aspect of the book is the sense of period detail. The setting is just over seventy years ago, but 1940's wartime and postwar America was a very different place. People spoke differently, using very different slang and jargon from that in use today. Anyone doubting this should read J.D.Salinger, "Catcher in the Rye" (1951) . Sometimes the language and interaction in "A Man of his Own" came over as too modern to me. Any historical narrative including dialogue and reported speech, is a difficult challenge for an author to manage, and to avoid the language sounding remotely old fashioned. In a way, recent history may be the most difficult period in which to handle the dialogue of the characters.
However the book is a gripping novel. A number of twists and turns in plotting are there to surprise the reader. I certainly plan to read more of Susan Wilson's work.
October 8, 2013
Susan Wilson is one of those authors that I pre-order new books just so I can read them as soon as they're released. A Man of His Own was worth the weight. I usually don't read historical fiction but occasionally they get in under the radar and I enjoy them in spite of myself. This was one of them.
The story didn't always proceed as I expected, there were some turns and decisions that I didn't expect. And there were times when I loved Rick and then other times when I didn't. Other times I wanted to steer the story in a happier direction.
The story evolved to tell the perspective of the 4 main characters. Fully developed characters with real emotions and real conflict. I'm a nurse and fully identified with the caregiver angst in this story. As much as I enjoyed every page of this book (reading hours through the night just to get to the end!), the end was like reaching the summit of a mountain. The view becomes clear and there is a feeling of triumph that life is good.
You'll feel better about the struggles in your own life after reading this.
The story didn't always proceed as I expected, there were some turns and decisions that I didn't expect. And there were times when I loved Rick and then other times when I didn't. Other times I wanted to steer the story in a happier direction.
The story evolved to tell the perspective of the 4 main characters. Fully developed characters with real emotions and real conflict. I'm a nurse and fully identified with the caregiver angst in this story. As much as I enjoyed every page of this book (reading hours through the night just to get to the end!), the end was like reaching the summit of a mountain. The view becomes clear and there is a feeling of triumph that life is good.
You'll feel better about the struggles in your own life after reading this.
November 29, 2015
I wasn't sure about this one as it started out. Couldn't see how I would like Keller, but as things went on I found myself liking Keller. I felt bad for Francessca, she was between a rock and a hard place. Rick was miserable, I sort of wished he had succeed in his try, so that Keller could have found happiness with Francessa. Pax was an interesting addition, gave a different look at all the parties. I hate to say it, but all the parties made the right choice at the end, they all needed to make a new start.
The last chapter was bittersweet. I was glad to learn what happened to them all, but the last meeting was the best.
The last chapter was bittersweet. I was glad to learn what happened to them all, but the last meeting was the best.
Want to read
September 19, 2013GOSH, this book synopsis really got me! It'll be the first book I read when it releases!!!
Historical + Romance + Doggy = BEST storyline ever!!
Historical + Romance + Doggy = BEST storyline ever!!
January 2, 2016
3.5 stars. I won this as a Firstreads giveaway.
You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this heart-warming but gut-wrenching story of love between man and dog. It is the story of three people and a dog named Pax who are brought together through an unusual and tragic event. Pax, the dog, is definitely the focus of the story as he tries to understand the feelings of his previous owner and those of his trainer and comrade. World War II not only enlisted you men but also asked for owners to volunteer their dogs for the Army's K-9 unit. The story gets complicated when Pax is returned to his owner who was wounded in the war. Loyalty, love, healing are all topics of this well written book. Didn't much care for the ending. I also read One Good Dog by Susan Wilson and thoroughly enjoyed.
You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this heart-warming but gut-wrenching story of love between man and dog. It is the story of three people and a dog named Pax who are brought together through an unusual and tragic event. Pax, the dog, is definitely the focus of the story as he tries to understand the feelings of his previous owner and those of his trainer and comrade. World War II not only enlisted you men but also asked for owners to volunteer their dogs for the Army's K-9 unit. The story gets complicated when Pax is returned to his owner who was wounded in the war. Loyalty, love, healing are all topics of this well written book. Didn't much care for the ending. I also read One Good Dog by Susan Wilson and thoroughly enjoyed.
May 30, 2020
I loved loved loved this book.
It is true it has some editing mistakes but I think that most of them were because there was no other way for the author to show how the main characters feel.
The thing is within the same chapter there is alternation between 1st and 3rd person. But it is not confusing.
We have 4 main characters so definitely it was a bit tricky to write it from 4 POV's.
This book starts off with Rick who was about to start his pro baseball carreer after giving up so much including his parents' acceptance. He finds a stray puppy one evening (although he doesn't know that its mom was a show dog).
There grows a very strong and unusual bond between man and dog, and it is upon this bond that the book revolves.
Then Rick meets 17 years old Francesca our h, in a game. After knowing her for only 1 week and although he is about 8 years her senior, he asks her to marry him and she agrees.
Rick is a fantastic chatacter. Full of life and love. And so is his young bride. You lovr them both.
And you love their dog Pax too and feel how he is now in the place of the baby they never were able to have.
Rick is just about to become pro when he is drafted for WWII. He travels to Europe and Francesca starts working in a factory nearby.
Her loneliness is so plapable. So when Rick asks her to donate the dog to the K9 war department for dog scouts, it is not so easy to do this. But she feels she and Pax must also "do their bit".
We get then to meet Keller. A loner who had a very very rough life till he turned 18 and signed up to go to war.
He is such a fantastic guy that you can't help but love. Because despite all he suffered, he came forth as a strong and fantastic man.
He trains Pax and is the only one able to reach him till they become almost 1 person.
The war ends for our MC when Rick is wounded in the war because of an error he made. His whole platoon is killed because of this error. He looses his right pitching arm and becomes a paraplegic. Plus he suffers from what we now know as PTSD.
Keller and Pax are also wounded but recover fully.
Rick returns home and wants his dog back. But the only way to have that is when Keller accepts working as his aid, because Keller too, cannot give up Pax.
This helps lift a very heavy weight of still very young Francesca, both physical (like help lifting Rick..etc) and emotional.
Rick is depressed and won't leave his room. He feels there is a romantic relationship forming between his young wife and his also young aide.
Keller starts to develop feelings for Francesca.
Francesca is torn between her love for her very depressed husband and her "lust" for Keller.
Rick tries to commit suicide because this is the only way-he thinks- to relieve his wife and Keller and give them a chance to live better.
Suicide attempt fails and in a very emotional moment Francesca asks Keller to leave the job after he kisses her and she realizes that although she is attracted to him, yet she loves her husband still.
The story HAD to be written from multiple POV's including Pax's. And I think this is the STRENGTH of the book not its weakness.
How each chatacter is a good person. There are no villans here. But wow. You feel your heart just breaking when you read how Pax is responding to Rick and Keller and Francesca. How he is confused sometimes but his loyalty is unbelievable. It is as if he is really what bonds them together. And it is also a bit funny when we see our lives from a dog's persoective.
You feel the loss of a generation when you read Rick's POV and what a great tragedy the war was. How his once "full of life" days were now reduced to an existance in a "sick room".
You feel Francesca's adoration for her husband and her desperation too when she just doesn't know how to pull him out of his despair. And a handsome young man almost her age sharing a roof with her. And she is attracted to him.
And finally how Keller is a magnificent man with such noble feelings. He never had a family and he is suddenly thrust into one. Yet he is attracted to the woman and he knows he should not. And his relationship with Pax.
So, there was no way to write all this in another way.
I am so grateful the writer did not write about Pax dying (of course he dies..the book is written between 1938 till 2008!!)
I loved it. Loved every word.
All 70+ short chapters.
I cried at the end although I don't know whether the tears were happy ones or sad ones or just because I finished the book
I really recommend it especially for those of you who love dogs ❤🐕
It is true it has some editing mistakes but I think that most of them were because there was no other way for the author to show how the main characters feel.
The thing is within the same chapter there is alternation between 1st and 3rd person. But it is not confusing.
We have 4 main characters so definitely it was a bit tricky to write it from 4 POV's.
This book starts off with Rick who was about to start his pro baseball carreer after giving up so much including his parents' acceptance. He finds a stray puppy one evening (although he doesn't know that its mom was a show dog).
There grows a very strong and unusual bond between man and dog, and it is upon this bond that the book revolves.
Then Rick meets 17 years old Francesca our h, in a game. After knowing her for only 1 week and although he is about 8 years her senior, he asks her to marry him and she agrees.
Rick is a fantastic chatacter. Full of life and love. And so is his young bride. You lovr them both.
And you love their dog Pax too and feel how he is now in the place of the baby they never were able to have.
Rick is just about to become pro when he is drafted for WWII. He travels to Europe and Francesca starts working in a factory nearby.
Her loneliness is so plapable. So when Rick asks her to donate the dog to the K9 war department for dog scouts, it is not so easy to do this. But she feels she and Pax must also "do their bit".
We get then to meet Keller. A loner who had a very very rough life till he turned 18 and signed up to go to war.
He is such a fantastic guy that you can't help but love. Because despite all he suffered, he came forth as a strong and fantastic man.
He trains Pax and is the only one able to reach him till they become almost 1 person.
The war ends for our MC when Rick is wounded in the war because of an error he made. His whole platoon is killed because of this error. He looses his right pitching arm and becomes a paraplegic. Plus he suffers from what we now know as PTSD.
Keller and Pax are also wounded but recover fully.
Rick returns home and wants his dog back. But the only way to have that is when Keller accepts working as his aid, because Keller too, cannot give up Pax.
This helps lift a very heavy weight of still very young Francesca, both physical (like help lifting Rick..etc) and emotional.
Rick is depressed and won't leave his room. He feels there is a romantic relationship forming between his young wife and his also young aide.
Keller starts to develop feelings for Francesca.
Francesca is torn between her love for her very depressed husband and her "lust" for Keller.
Rick tries to commit suicide because this is the only way-he thinks- to relieve his wife and Keller and give them a chance to live better.
Suicide attempt fails and in a very emotional moment Francesca asks Keller to leave the job after he kisses her and she realizes that although she is attracted to him, yet she loves her husband still.
The story HAD to be written from multiple POV's including Pax's. And I think this is the STRENGTH of the book not its weakness.
How each chatacter is a good person. There are no villans here. But wow. You feel your heart just breaking when you read how Pax is responding to Rick and Keller and Francesca. How he is confused sometimes but his loyalty is unbelievable. It is as if he is really what bonds them together. And it is also a bit funny when we see our lives from a dog's persoective.
You feel the loss of a generation when you read Rick's POV and what a great tragedy the war was. How his once "full of life" days were now reduced to an existance in a "sick room".
You feel Francesca's adoration for her husband and her desperation too when she just doesn't know how to pull him out of his despair. And a handsome young man almost her age sharing a roof with her. And she is attracted to him.
And finally how Keller is a magnificent man with such noble feelings. He never had a family and he is suddenly thrust into one. Yet he is attracted to the woman and he knows he should not. And his relationship with Pax.
So, there was no way to write all this in another way.
I am so grateful the writer did not write about Pax dying (of course he dies..the book is written between 1938 till 2008!!)
I loved it. Loved every word.
All 70+ short chapters.
I cried at the end although I don't know whether the tears were happy ones or sad ones or just because I finished the book
I really recommend it especially for those of you who love dogs ❤🐕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2013
So much more than a dog story! Different narrators, short overlapping chapters, heart-rendering events, characters with depth - all weave together to make an outstanding novel. Susan Wilson knows dogs…and humans…and storytelling. This is NOT a book to read when you have company (as I did) because you will keep excusing yourself to read “just a bit more.” I wondered how the story could ever have a satisfactory resolution. Under Wilson’s masterful hands it does. Not only is this a good book; it would make a great movie.
September 3, 2013
Are you an animal lover? Ever had a dog you felt you were one with? A Man of His Own by Susan Wilson is a simply amazing story of Pax, a rescued puppy, his life and the lives of those he touched. Set in the early 1940s, when America is just being drawn into World War II, this is the story of love, courage, loss, loyalty, and re-kindled hope for Pax and his people as dreams are crushed, bodies are ravaged and the future seems to hold no light at the end of the tunnel. Was it the love Pax gave or the love he received that kept an odd assortment of people together when they needed each other most?
Susan Wilson has recreated the feel of the days, months and years surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor by taking a small piece of Americana and turning it into a heartwarming tale that will, at times bring tears to your eyes. Throughout this tale the points of view change, but none are as touching as Pax’s own point of view, his ability to know who needs what from him, his understanding or lack of what is happening around him and his courage to stand his ground when needed. Beautifully told, beautifully detailed an emotional story that deserves to be read and read again!
An ARC Edition was proved by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1250014360
Number of Pages: 369
Genre: Adult Fiction/Historical Fiction
My Rating: 5 Stars
Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Susan Wilson has recreated the feel of the days, months and years surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor by taking a small piece of Americana and turning it into a heartwarming tale that will, at times bring tears to your eyes. Throughout this tale the points of view change, but none are as touching as Pax’s own point of view, his ability to know who needs what from him, his understanding or lack of what is happening around him and his courage to stand his ground when needed. Beautifully told, beautifully detailed an emotional story that deserves to be read and read again!
An ARC Edition was proved by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1250014360
Number of Pages: 369
Genre: Adult Fiction/Historical Fiction
My Rating: 5 Stars
Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
December 14, 2017
Digital audio read by Fred Berman, Christina Delaine, Rick Adamson, Jeff Gurner.
Three people connected by one dog. Rick Stanton is the promising professional baseball player who finds the puppy he’ll call Pax in an alley. Francesca is the love of Rick’s life, the young wife he leaves behind when he’s drafted into World War II. Keller Nicholson is the lonely orphaned young man who will bond with Pax in the Army’s K-9 Corp. When the war is over, Keller brings Pax back to the couple with a request to keep him. But Rick has been badly wounded and is broken in both body and spirit. Keller agrees to stay on for a time as Rick’s aide, helping Francesca with the heavier tasks that are simply too much for her. He’ll also help train Pax to be Rick’s helper.
This is a kind of romance novel with a twist. There’s plenty of drama and emotion, as well as the potential for new relationships. We have three people who are all emotionally fragile, and yet somehow are “guided” by this remarkable animal. That synopsis sounds trite and predictable, and in a sense the book is that, but I have to say that I was entertained and engaged by the story, as unlikely and unbelievable as some elements were.
I’m not a dog person, but I had previously read Wilson’s One Good Dog which I thought was very good. This book doesn’t quite come to that level, but it’s a decent read.
Each of the four talented voice artists who narrate takes on a different major character, including Pax (the dog). Unfortunately, other than for Christina Delaine, the sole woman, I can’t tell which artist is voicing which character. Still it’s an effective device to use different narrators for each change in point of view. Berman and Adamson also co-narrated the audio of One Good Dog.
July 23, 2019
This book is set during WW-II and told from 4 different POV; Rick Stanton a starting pitcher w a major baseball team, Ricks young wife Francesca, Keller Nicholson who as a young orphan who has never known love or affection, and Pax - Rick & Francescas dog, whom they donate to the Army K-9 and winds up partnered with Keller.
When Rick returns from the war, broken in body and in spirit, Francesca does her best to care for him. Though Keller volunteers to return Pax to Rick & Francesca, he is devastated at the thought of being parted from the only family he has ever known. The Stantons refuse to give Pax up, but they come to an arrangement agreeable to all - Keller will stay on and help care for Rick; Keller will be able to remain with his beloved dog while taking some of the physical burden from Francesca.
A relationship begins to develop between Rick, Francesca & Keller with Pax the anchor in this foursome.
I thought it was well written, and very emotional. This is the 3rd book I've listened to by this author and I do plan on listening to other books by her. I also want to read more about the Army K-9 unit.... I had no idea there was such a program where families could donate their pets to the military, never knowing if they would see those pets again.
When Rick returns from the war, broken in body and in spirit, Francesca does her best to care for him. Though Keller volunteers to return Pax to Rick & Francesca, he is devastated at the thought of being parted from the only family he has ever known. The Stantons refuse to give Pax up, but they come to an arrangement agreeable to all - Keller will stay on and help care for Rick; Keller will be able to remain with his beloved dog while taking some of the physical burden from Francesca.
A relationship begins to develop between Rick, Francesca & Keller with Pax the anchor in this foursome.
I thought it was well written, and very emotional. This is the 3rd book I've listened to by this author and I do plan on listening to other books by her. I also want to read more about the Army K-9 unit.... I had no idea there was such a program where families could donate their pets to the military, never knowing if they would see those pets again.
September 29, 2017
How do I begin to tell you how much I loved this book by Susan Wilson?
Brought together by war; Rick, Francesca, Keller have one thing in common: Pax. Rescued by Rick when he was a starving orphan, Pax begins life every dog wants. To love and be loved. When Rick is called up in the WWII draft, and has to give up a promising career as a big league pitcher, Pax stays with Francesca. Eventually, Francesca understands that with a pressing need for 'war dogs,' Pax must also do his bit. Keller becomes his new alpha and thus begins the saga of Pax's home years, war years, and then home again, but this time with all the people he loves, together, in one home. But nothing will ever be the same for any of them.
Brought together by war; Rick, Francesca, Keller have one thing in common: Pax. Rescued by Rick when he was a starving orphan, Pax begins life every dog wants. To love and be loved. When Rick is called up in the WWII draft, and has to give up a promising career as a big league pitcher, Pax stays with Francesca. Eventually, Francesca understands that with a pressing need for 'war dogs,' Pax must also do his bit. Keller becomes his new alpha and thus begins the saga of Pax's home years, war years, and then home again, but this time with all the people he loves, together, in one home. But nothing will ever be the same for any of them.
October 15, 2013
3.5 stars
I won a free copy as a first-reads giveaway.
“A Man of His Own” is a very heartwarming story about how a dog changes the lives of three people and how his life has been changed by them. Rick Stanton is a minor league pitcher who has big dreams of getting into the major leagues. The last thing he needs is vulnerable little puppy completely dependent on him for his care. But Rick takes in this puppy, naming him Pax, and develops a bond so great that he doesn’t feel that strongly again until he meets his wife, Francesca. The three of them live happily together until Pearl Harbor and Rick is drafted into the Army.
Keller Nicholson is an orphan and a truant and hasn’t known affection since his parents died when he was very young. Keller doesn’t wait to be drafted; he enlists in the Army and is placed in the K-9 division. There he is paired with Pax because he is the only one who can get Pax to trust him. Pax acts as a scout and guard dog saving many lives including Keller. Keller too develops deep feelings for Pax so much so that Keller doesn’t want to let him go.
After the war Keller shows up with Pax at the Stanton’s house unwilling to give him back to Rick and Francesca. Rick is severely injured, in need of constant care, and is also unwilling to part with Pax. So they come to an arrangement; Keller will move in with the Stanton’s to care for Rick and receive free room and board and a meager allowance. And, most importantly, everyone gets to keep Pax.
However, this ménage a trois arrangement soon shows signs of strain. Francesca is forced to endure the daily hardship of caring for a physically and mentally disabled husband. Rick, who was just about to become starting pitcher for the Boston Braves before he was drafted, has seen his dream of playing in the major leagues annihilated and his body severely. And Keller, a young man first discovering love and independence also learns about its complications.
The reasons why I rounded down instead of up in the star rating are as follows:
I received an ARC copy so there were a lot of spelling and grammatical errors that impacted the readability and thus my enjoyment of the novel. I also didn’t like the repetitive parts in the chapters from the perspective of the dog stating how lucky he is to find humans who care so much about him. Further, I didn’t find Francesca’s constant selflessness while caring for Rick believable. She almost never loses her patience with him or expresses her true feelings to him. I mean, her dreams were destroyed too.
Overall it was good story. I like how it was set in the historical context of World War II. I think the author did do research about the time period and soldier’s lives both before and after the war. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in that time period and anyone who like stories about dogs.
I won a free copy as a first-reads giveaway.
“A Man of His Own” is a very heartwarming story about how a dog changes the lives of three people and how his life has been changed by them. Rick Stanton is a minor league pitcher who has big dreams of getting into the major leagues. The last thing he needs is vulnerable little puppy completely dependent on him for his care. But Rick takes in this puppy, naming him Pax, and develops a bond so great that he doesn’t feel that strongly again until he meets his wife, Francesca. The three of them live happily together until Pearl Harbor and Rick is drafted into the Army.
Keller Nicholson is an orphan and a truant and hasn’t known affection since his parents died when he was very young. Keller doesn’t wait to be drafted; he enlists in the Army and is placed in the K-9 division. There he is paired with Pax because he is the only one who can get Pax to trust him. Pax acts as a scout and guard dog saving many lives including Keller. Keller too develops deep feelings for Pax so much so that Keller doesn’t want to let him go.
After the war Keller shows up with Pax at the Stanton’s house unwilling to give him back to Rick and Francesca. Rick is severely injured, in need of constant care, and is also unwilling to part with Pax. So they come to an arrangement; Keller will move in with the Stanton’s to care for Rick and receive free room and board and a meager allowance. And, most importantly, everyone gets to keep Pax.
However, this ménage a trois arrangement soon shows signs of strain. Francesca is forced to endure the daily hardship of caring for a physically and mentally disabled husband. Rick, who was just about to become starting pitcher for the Boston Braves before he was drafted, has seen his dream of playing in the major leagues annihilated and his body severely. And Keller, a young man first discovering love and independence also learns about its complications.
The reasons why I rounded down instead of up in the star rating are as follows:
I received an ARC copy so there were a lot of spelling and grammatical errors that impacted the readability and thus my enjoyment of the novel. I also didn’t like the repetitive parts in the chapters from the perspective of the dog stating how lucky he is to find humans who care so much about him. Further, I didn’t find Francesca’s constant selflessness while caring for Rick believable. She almost never loses her patience with him or expresses her true feelings to him. I mean, her dreams were destroyed too.
Overall it was good story. I like how it was set in the historical context of World War II. I think the author did do research about the time period and soldier’s lives both before and after the war. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in that time period and anyone who like stories about dogs.
September 15, 2013
There are few things in this world as beautiful and profound as the soul of a devoted companion animal. Author Susan Wilson writes with great sensitivity and thoughtfulness about one special dog who goes from an orphaned stray, to a beloved pet, to a brave, battle-tested K-9 Corps service dog. Set in the poignant and patriotic WWII Era, "A Man of his Own" is the story of Pax, a German Shepherd mix, who is rescued as a young pup from starvation in an alley. The man who saves Pax, Rick Stanton, has had a lifelong dream of playing professional baseball. One day at the ballpark, Rick meets a beautiful young woman, Francesca Bell. After a short courtship, the two are married, and Pax must learn to share his master's attentions. When Rick is drafted, he and Francesca later decide to lend Pax to the Dogs for Defense program, and all of their lives will be forever changed. Keller Nicholson has known little real affection during his life. Orphaned during the Great Depression and shifted from one unwelcoming relative to another, he was pulled from his life in a boys home by his great-uncle, who saw Keller as free labor for his lobster fishing. The day after his eighteenth birthday, Keller enlists in the army, eventually being accepted into the K-9 Corps unit. Pax becomes his dog, and the two of them are deeply bonded by their combat experiences. They survive, and the day comes when Pax must be returned to Rick and Francesca. Rick was gravely wounded in combat and is now a paraplegic, wheelchair-bound and never again to be the athlete who lived to play baseball. Keller can't bear to let Pax go, and Rick can't be without his beloved pet, so Rick asks Keller to work as his home healthcare aide. An unusual alliance is formed--a family of sorts--and Pax is one happy dog being with all three of his people. However, as Rick's depression and drug-dependency escalates, so does the tension in the household. Is there more between Keller and Francesca than friendship? This story is told in turns by each of the people, and also by Pax himself. It's a touching tale of how three people and one very special dog survived a time of war and found a measure of healing when and where it was least expected.
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September 29, 2017The book A Man of His Own is the point of view between 4 different people, Francesca, Rick Stanton, Pax, and Keller Nicholson. This book about a baseball player Rick Stanton, who is hoping one day to play in the major leagues, is drafted to the war. Expect things do not go as planned because Rick comes home with a serious injury that puts him in a wheelchair. Rick’s beloved dog Pax finds out that he has to go to the war as a war dog which devastates Rick and Francesca, Rick's wife.
While their dog is at war, his trainer becomes extremely attached to the dog, sharing a connection that no one will ever understand besides them. When they return from war Keller does not want to part with the dog, so Rick has Keller be his live-in helper. During Keller’s stay, he begins to realize his feelings for Francesca. When Rick finds out about Keller and Francesca he realizes he can no longer do anything for her.
I thought this book was really well written. I thought the author was trying to achieve a book that was entertaining and I believed they did a really good job doing that. One major critique I have in the book is that the point of view switches become kind of complicated and hard to follow but I feel that once you get deeper into the book it becomes easier to understand.
I was really impressed that the author was able to keep up switching main characters and do it nicely even if sometimes it was hard to follow because during come books it becomes extremely confusing and hard to understand what is going on. I was surprised that I would be able to continue reading this book because in most books that change point of view I have to put the book down because it gets confusing. I also think the book helped me better understand how important a relationship between a dog and his owner is because once reading this it made me think about my dogs the whole time I was reading this book.
I recommend this book to many different people that enjoy many different genres. I think anyone who enjoys memoirs or realistic fiction should definitely read this book. I really think that you should read this book because it is beautifully written and once getting into the book I was able to finish it in only a couple of days.
-Maggie S.
While their dog is at war, his trainer becomes extremely attached to the dog, sharing a connection that no one will ever understand besides them. When they return from war Keller does not want to part with the dog, so Rick has Keller be his live-in helper. During Keller’s stay, he begins to realize his feelings for Francesca. When Rick finds out about Keller and Francesca he realizes he can no longer do anything for her.
I thought this book was really well written. I thought the author was trying to achieve a book that was entertaining and I believed they did a really good job doing that. One major critique I have in the book is that the point of view switches become kind of complicated and hard to follow but I feel that once you get deeper into the book it becomes easier to understand.
I was really impressed that the author was able to keep up switching main characters and do it nicely even if sometimes it was hard to follow because during come books it becomes extremely confusing and hard to understand what is going on. I was surprised that I would be able to continue reading this book because in most books that change point of view I have to put the book down because it gets confusing. I also think the book helped me better understand how important a relationship between a dog and his owner is because once reading this it made me think about my dogs the whole time I was reading this book.
I recommend this book to many different people that enjoy many different genres. I think anyone who enjoys memoirs or realistic fiction should definitely read this book. I really think that you should read this book because it is beautifully written and once getting into the book I was able to finish it in only a couple of days.
-Maggie S.
November 7, 2016
PAX
I cani hanno un potere davvero magico. Riescono a farci sorridere anche quando tutto va a rotoli. È per accudire loro che diventiamo più forti e l'amore, che incondizionatamente ci donano, è senza limiti.
SUSAN WILSON ha scritto questo romanzo commovente, che ci aiuta a sentirci meno soli e, come dice il titolo, ci aiuta a ritrovare la strada verso casa. Sono i cuccioli che, con il loro dono unico di farci sentire amati, ci guidano verso ciò che è meglio per noi. Ci riportano a casa.
"Ti guiderò verso casa" è un romanzo che commuove, ma coccola, donandoci un autentico sorriso e ci scalda il cuore. L'emozione è in ogni pagina. Basta uno sguardo per sentire la completa lealtà di un cane.
Ambientato negli anni Quaranta, il romanzo segue la vita di Rick, promettente giocatore di baseball, il quale sposa Francesca, coronando il suo grande amore. La guerra infuria e Rick è costretto ad andare al fronte in Europa. Lascerà a casa non solo la dolce Francesca, che promette di aspettarlo, ma anche un grande amico: Pax, l'inseparabile pastore tedesco che ha trovato per caso in strada alcuni anni prima. Francesca decide di far arruolare Pax come cane sentinella.
La guerra finisce e, tornati dal fronte, niente è più come prima. Rick è rimasto semi paralizzato. Il matrimonio con Francesca rischia di naufragare. Pax si è legato molto anche a Keller, addestratore dell'Unità cinofila.
Tutti e quattro si trovano a dover ripartire da zero. La strada verso a ricostruzione è lunga, anzi lunghissima e Pax sa donare e insegnare a tutti la lealtà.
"Ti guiderò verso casa" è il romanzo che ti saluta con, sulle labbra, il dolce sorriso di un happy ending.
January 9, 2020
This was a very fast read and very light. There are more serious themes that are touched on: PTSD, grief and guilt, abuse and neglect but they feel only surface deep. The POV changes every chapter which to me is jarring especially since the tense and maybe even the narrative style shift too, I really wanted this book to be ‘written’ by the dog but it’s not so that was an immediate let down. I should also mention that there are some date tags that give a structured timeline to the story both in narrative and in the part break pages but even with those I felt like lots of the story was almost timeless in that it could have been literally any-when. There was a very slow burn on a revel that the readers been in on the whole time but the characters only find out at the end of the second part, I wish there had been more explosion with that, the scene ends up as a quiet, solitary “oh-no” moment and that was unsatisfying and then the time jump between part 2 and part 3 seems real after thought-y, like the story that needed to be told, had come out but there was nothing tied up neatly, so we added a chapter or two and called it part three to make the Mass Market Paperback market happy.
End piece I guess it was a book and it’s got lots of good dog bits but I just wanted more out of it.
End piece I guess it was a book and it’s got lots of good dog bits but I just wanted more out of it.
August 16, 2013
Let me say right up front that I loved this book. The writing was sensitive and held me captivated the entire time. Pax, an abandoned puppy, is the center of this story. He is found by Rick who becomes a ball player for the Braves. Pax then has to make room in his heart for Rick's wife Francesca. Rick goes off to war (WWII) and Pax is sent off to war as part of the Dogs for Defense program. He fights alongside Keller who has never known love until he meets Pax. After the war is over Keller reluctantly has to return Pax to his owners. But Rick has been severely injured in the war and Francesca needs help caring for him. Keller is happy to take a job being Rick's caregiver because then he does not have to leave Pax. But he finds himself falling for Francesca. The chapters bounce around among different viewpoints -- Rick, Francesca, Pax, Keller. You can't help caring for all the characters n the story and wanting them all to be happy but how can they? I received an Advanced Reading Copy through Book Browse's First Impression program. Thank you!
August 31, 2013
I can see this book becoming a movie. Just imagine it. 3 people who are dealing with situations that can't control and try to live their lives. Kellen who was never loved and was always alone in the world and fells like he has some kind of a family with the Stantons, Rick who is forced to lose his carrer, legs and arms during the war and later almost his family and life and Francesca a woman who has almost lost her husband and tries to help him even though he is unwilling.
But this isn't their story exactly. This is about Pax, a dog. He is Kellen's family during and after the war, Rick's aid while he is hopeless alone and Francesca's company while her husband is at the war. There is even his point of view.
It is not my usual romance. Honestly I can't find the words to describe my feeling for this book. I know that it was a great read for me and hard to dislike. The pace was good, the writing simple but not in a bad way the epilogue moving and (because I know that some readers ask for it) there was character development.
But this isn't their story exactly. This is about Pax, a dog. He is Kellen's family during and after the war, Rick's aid while he is hopeless alone and Francesca's company while her husband is at the war. There is even his point of view.
It is not my usual romance. Honestly I can't find the words to describe my feeling for this book. I know that it was a great read for me and hard to dislike. The pace was good, the writing simple but not in a bad way the epilogue moving and (because I know that some readers ask for it) there was character development.
October 31, 2013
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. - Roger Caras
"A Man of His Own" tells the heartwarming AND gut-wrenching story of Pax, the dog, and the three people who love him.
This is a book about the unconditional love for and from a dog. It is a story about Pax, marriage, friendship, family, war, loss and healing.
There is Rick, a baseball pitcher, who rescues Pax as an abandoned puppy, and his young bride Francesca. Their life changes forever when Rick heads off to fight in the World War II.
Pax is chosen to be in the Army K-9 Corps during the war and proves himself a hero. Keller is his human that is his handler during this time.
Pax works his magic on all three humans after the war to bring them together and help heal them.
Great characterization and a touching storyline make this a book you don't want to miss, especially if you're a dog lover like I am.
I especially appreciated the tying up of loose ends at the end of the book rather than just keeping readers hanging.
"A Man of His Own" tells the heartwarming AND gut-wrenching story of Pax, the dog, and the three people who love him.
This is a book about the unconditional love for and from a dog. It is a story about Pax, marriage, friendship, family, war, loss and healing.
There is Rick, a baseball pitcher, who rescues Pax as an abandoned puppy, and his young bride Francesca. Their life changes forever when Rick heads off to fight in the World War II.
Pax is chosen to be in the Army K-9 Corps during the war and proves himself a hero. Keller is his human that is his handler during this time.
Pax works his magic on all three humans after the war to bring them together and help heal them.
Great characterization and a touching storyline make this a book you don't want to miss, especially if you're a dog lover like I am.
I especially appreciated the tying up of loose ends at the end of the book rather than just keeping readers hanging.
September 19, 2013
I won an ARC of this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaways (thank you very much) and I was anxious to read it since I had adored the author's previous novel, called The Dog Who Danced. This one, for me, was too slow. It took forever to set up the storyline and the conflict between the three main human characters, (and way too much of it was given away in the synopsis on the back cover, in my opinion.)
The dog scenes were quite well done and were the only thing that evoked any real feelings from me. I didn't really connect with the other characters enough to care much about them, and their challenges just seemed to drag on and on. The tear-jerker ending turned out differently than I expected, but even then, I felt like it was a contrived set-up just to (finally) bring out some emotion from this reader. All in all, a pretty good read, along the lines of a Hallmark movie. 3.5 stars.
The dog scenes were quite well done and were the only thing that evoked any real feelings from me. I didn't really connect with the other characters enough to care much about them, and their challenges just seemed to drag on and on. The tear-jerker ending turned out differently than I expected, but even then, I felt like it was a contrived set-up just to (finally) bring out some emotion from this reader. All in all, a pretty good read, along the lines of a Hallmark movie. 3.5 stars.
October 26, 2013
I have not been disappointed with any of her books, and this one was no exception. I really, really liked this. The dilemma about Pax sucked me in from the start and I had no idea how it was going to end. I love how the stories were told from the perspective of everyone, including Pax. I thought it was well done and now that I am finished, I see that it could not have ended any other way. I won't spoil the ending except to say that you will most likely want to have a Kleenex handy. This was a well written, moving, bittersweet novel that engages you from the first page.
August 17, 2016
Yet another book my mother told me about. Do you see a theme here? This one she had only just read, of course.
Again, I love historical fiction-- I sound like a broken record at this point-- and this romance (can it be classified as a romance?) was a great piece of historical fiction. I also love dog books... You can see how this was a great mix of both.
I cried a lot. It's a happy, and very sad, novel. The ending was not what I expected, though it was the only ending that made sense, and the only ending that could have brought happiness to the majority of the characters.
Again, I love historical fiction-- I sound like a broken record at this point-- and this romance (can it be classified as a romance?) was a great piece of historical fiction. I also love dog books... You can see how this was a great mix of both.
I cried a lot. It's a happy, and very sad, novel. The ending was not what I expected, though it was the only ending that made sense, and the only ending that could have brought happiness to the majority of the characters.
March 1, 2017
it was a great book. The relationship of a dog and his man, Rick. There were sad moments in the story and happy ones too. the plot was fantastic, pulling in the reader and making them want to read on and see what happens to Pax, Rick, and Francesca. It was a great book, I would most definitely read it again.
February 16, 2018
I’m so glad I read this. Was in the end table waiting to return to library while I was waiting for my next read to pick up. Dog lover war vets married couples put through good times and bad til death do part. I never shed tears for a book. This is the first time!
August 3, 2017
I love this author's dog books. This one was a touching story written about 2 WWII veterans, one wife, and a dog who loved them all
December 17, 2019
Yes I cried.
Yes I will read another book by this author.
And what a dog Pax was !
Yes I will read another book by this author.
And what a dog Pax was !
January 10, 2025
The book is told from four different perspectives:
🐾Pax, a K9
🐾Francesca the wife of Rick
🐾Rick, a handicapped war veteran
🐾Keller, Pax's handler and the caretaker of Rick
Pax is a stray German Shepherd adopted by Rick, a baseball player, shortly before World War 2. Rick and Francesca meet at a baseball game and marry quickly. Rick is drafted and sent to war, and Pax eventually follows as a K9 when he proves to be too much for Francesca at home. Pax bonds strongly with his handler, Keller.
After the war, Rick returns home as a paralyzed amputee with his baseball dreams destroyed by the war. Francesca attempts to care for him and realizes Rick needs physical and mental help that she can't give. Keller refuses to part with Pax after the war and volunteers to help Francesca with Rick.
As the story continues, Keller finds the family environment with Rick, Pax, and Francesca that he never had and finds himself falling in love with Francesca. Francesca remains true to Rick in spite of his PTSD and handicaps. Rick falls more and more into despair, pushing his wife away in the process. Pax remains in the middle of it all, and his point of view reminds the reader of loyalty, faithfulness, and steady friendship in the midst of so much loss and instability.
I appreciated the author's accurate insight into the complexities of PTSD, depression, loving another person who's forbidden, and faithfulness. Good book, good ending, clean romance.
🐾YES discussion questions.
🐾Pax, a K9
🐾Francesca the wife of Rick
🐾Rick, a handicapped war veteran
🐾Keller, Pax's handler and the caretaker of Rick
Pax is a stray German Shepherd adopted by Rick, a baseball player, shortly before World War 2. Rick and Francesca meet at a baseball game and marry quickly. Rick is drafted and sent to war, and Pax eventually follows as a K9 when he proves to be too much for Francesca at home. Pax bonds strongly with his handler, Keller.
After the war, Rick returns home as a paralyzed amputee with his baseball dreams destroyed by the war. Francesca attempts to care for him and realizes Rick needs physical and mental help that she can't give. Keller refuses to part with Pax after the war and volunteers to help Francesca with Rick.
As the story continues, Keller finds the family environment with Rick, Pax, and Francesca that he never had and finds himself falling in love with Francesca. Francesca remains true to Rick in spite of his PTSD and handicaps. Rick falls more and more into despair, pushing his wife away in the process. Pax remains in the middle of it all, and his point of view reminds the reader of loyalty, faithfulness, and steady friendship in the midst of so much loss and instability.
I appreciated the author's accurate insight into the complexities of PTSD, depression, loving another person who's forbidden, and faithfulness. Good book, good ending, clean romance.
🐾YES discussion questions.
July 28, 2022
Wonderful book! So touching and heartfelt. A beautiful, poignant story I highly recommend. Told from multiple POVs, including Pax the dog, and this only enriched the story. A story that touched my emotions on the deepest level. Very highly recommend!
January 24, 2024
One of the mostly sad books ever. Such heart! Pax is a wonder dog who was loved every day of his "lucky dog" life.
Susan Wikson always pulls at my heart strings.
Susan Wikson always pulls at my heart strings.
February 4, 2022
I loved this book! Susan Wilson you made me cry, I can’t wait to read your next book The Dog Who Saved Me.
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