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Stoneheart
Gunnery Sargent, Perceval Michelangelo Stone, is suddenly medically retired. He is handed his separation papers, because the vision in his left eye comes and goes. Thirty-nine years of service to his country he was always first to step forward, first to go where ever he has been needed – until he is no longer needed there but somewhere else- home. With no more people to kill or places to blowup, Stone now has to assimilate with the natives. All of his life has been about living on a base, being a Marine and living in strange places learning stranger customs and strange languages. Handed his papers, he’s been told to go home. Now he must face his own devils as he goes in search for who he is. He must deal with a strange culture and people that he has no understanding of: the civilians of the United States. In an effort to find peace, he ends up beside a tranquil lake, watching a perfect sunset. And then the phone rings…
- GenresWar
390 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2013
47 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Baer Charlton
35 books60 followersBaer Charlton, an Amazon best selling author, was degreed as a Social-Anthropologist by the University of California at Irvine. His many interests have led him around the world in search of different and unique.
As an internationally recognized Photo Journalist, he has tracked mountain gorillas, been a podium for a Barbary Ape, communicated in sign language with an Orangutan named Boolon, kissed a kangaroo and many wild experiences in between. Or he was just monkeying around.
His love for sailing has led him to file assignments from various countries, as well as from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean aboard a five-mast sailing ship. Baer has lectured and spoken on five continents, plus lecturing at sea.
His copyrighted logo is “WR1T3R”. The idea is within every person, there is a story. But inside that story, is even a more memorable story. Those are the stories he likes to tell.
There is no more complex and wonderful story than the ones that come from human experience. Mr. Charlton’s stories are all driven by the characters you come to think of as friends.
As an internationally recognized Photo Journalist, he has tracked mountain gorillas, been a podium for a Barbary Ape, communicated in sign language with an Orangutan named Boolon, kissed a kangaroo and many wild experiences in between. Or he was just monkeying around.
His love for sailing has led him to file assignments from various countries, as well as from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean aboard a five-mast sailing ship. Baer has lectured and spoken on five continents, plus lecturing at sea.
His copyrighted logo is “WR1T3R”. The idea is within every person, there is a story. But inside that story, is even a more memorable story. Those are the stories he likes to tell.
There is no more complex and wonderful story than the ones that come from human experience. Mr. Charlton’s stories are all driven by the characters you come to think of as friends.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 20, 2018
Stoneheart is a novel of place that passes through many places; a novel of people that brings many strangers to life; and a novel of redemption that redeems both people and place.
Soldiers carry wounds both visible and invisible, and this novel addresses them with deep compassion. But ordinary citizens carry wounds too, especially in the present world where old securities betray us. Author Baer Charlton bridges those gaps between soldier and civilian, PTSD and physical trauma, and deliberate and accidental wounds with honest empathy.
Health fails. Nature betrays. Finances dwindle. And businesses are lost in this modern world; no longer the place this novel’s protagonist knew before going to war, and not the world he knew for 39 years as a gunnery sergeant. There again, Stone can’t be the same person he was either. Everything’s changed, and everything’s waiting to build on what was lost…
Stoneheart is a story filled with heart—not just Stone’s heart for those he knew before and the new friends he makes, but the sort of heart that invites readers to stop and listen awhile, maybe hearing their own heartbeat as it echoes in the sound of another’s. Easy judgements are cast aside when they come across human realities. Life-changing mistakes become openings for life-building change. The past can be redeemed… and the wounded… and the lost. And time spent in this novel might change the reader.
Stoneheart is told from multiple points of view—sometimes confusing as befits the world of a man cast out from all that used to define him; sometimes longwinded to match the lengthy silence of loneliness; always honest, and with pitch-perfect conversation, fascinating characters, glorious scenery… yes, and powerful heart. The premise reveals itself slowly, coming to the fore at just the right time to resolve readers’ surfacing questions. And the whole becomes a parable for our times, a promise for our people, and a beautiful picture for our land.
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Soldiers carry wounds both visible and invisible, and this novel addresses them with deep compassion. But ordinary citizens carry wounds too, especially in the present world where old securities betray us. Author Baer Charlton bridges those gaps between soldier and civilian, PTSD and physical trauma, and deliberate and accidental wounds with honest empathy.
Health fails. Nature betrays. Finances dwindle. And businesses are lost in this modern world; no longer the place this novel’s protagonist knew before going to war, and not the world he knew for 39 years as a gunnery sergeant. There again, Stone can’t be the same person he was either. Everything’s changed, and everything’s waiting to build on what was lost…
Stoneheart is a story filled with heart—not just Stone’s heart for those he knew before and the new friends he makes, but the sort of heart that invites readers to stop and listen awhile, maybe hearing their own heartbeat as it echoes in the sound of another’s. Easy judgements are cast aside when they come across human realities. Life-changing mistakes become openings for life-building change. The past can be redeemed… and the wounded… and the lost. And time spent in this novel might change the reader.
Stoneheart is told from multiple points of view—sometimes confusing as befits the world of a man cast out from all that used to define him; sometimes longwinded to match the lengthy silence of loneliness; always honest, and with pitch-perfect conversation, fascinating characters, glorious scenery… yes, and powerful heart. The premise reveals itself slowly, coming to the fore at just the right time to resolve readers’ surfacing questions. And the whole becomes a parable for our times, a promise for our people, and a beautiful picture for our land.
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 10, 2018
The material is well researched and Mr. Charlton certainly knows his craft. The physical details are vivid and it's easy to see the images the narrative is meticulously drawing: you are there under a military tent, then in a meeting with the doctor, then the admiral, and there as the main character rides his motorcycle and you almost feel the breeze and the roadside commotion. The author is a master at work and he takes his time, not unlike James Joyce did giving you the daily-ness one second at a time. Yet, it's a pleasant read and the reader does not mind a bit the writer's patience with his material --, An important something is just around the bend, a wonderful line is in waiting on that next page.
Sargent Percival Stone, 'Gunny', the protagonist, is well developed and his peculiarities are so believable that after just one chapter one can feel his breathing on every page. The novel nails down every dialogue and eventually, they become a thing of beauty. It's a moving and touching story which must have been a challenge for the writer, for his character is a tough hombre harden by the military life he chose. Mr. Charlton has created a memorable character and it's easy to see why this author has gathered so much praise. It was a pleasure reading 'Stoneheart'. Highly recommend it.
Jorge A Barriere-Mendez
(Author of Papi's Lover, a crime-drama love story)
Sargent Percival Stone, 'Gunny', the protagonist, is well developed and his peculiarities are so believable that after just one chapter one can feel his breathing on every page. The novel nails down every dialogue and eventually, they become a thing of beauty. It's a moving and touching story which must have been a challenge for the writer, for his character is a tough hombre harden by the military life he chose. Mr. Charlton has created a memorable character and it's easy to see why this author has gathered so much praise. It was a pleasure reading 'Stoneheart'. Highly recommend it.
Jorge A Barriere-Mendez
(Author of Papi's Lover, a crime-drama love story)
April 22, 2015
Stone a Gunnery Sargent, retires after 39 years in the service. He is medically retired due to a traumatic head injury causing his left eyesight to come and go. His entire life has been the military. If you know anyone that has retired after a lifetime of service, transition to civilian life is very difficult. My dad retired after over twenty years of service and it was not an easy transition for him.
Having no remaining living family members Stone has no home to return to after being medically retired. He purchases a motorcycle and begins traveling, meeting people, attempting to deal with his PTSD and THI. He is on a journey of discovery when he gets a phone call that changes everything.
I enjoyed this journey with Stone and the people he met along the way. This is a well written story that needs to be told for the benefit of our returning troops with physical and mental disabilities from their service to our country. It is eyeopening what little is done for the rehabilitation and medical/mental treatment for our troops. Baer's characters are wonderfully developed and I connected with all of them. Through the laughter, angst and yes a few tears, a wonderful story emerges.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLovesBooks Blog
Having no remaining living family members Stone has no home to return to after being medically retired. He purchases a motorcycle and begins traveling, meeting people, attempting to deal with his PTSD and THI. He is on a journey of discovery when he gets a phone call that changes everything.
I enjoyed this journey with Stone and the people he met along the way. This is a well written story that needs to be told for the benefit of our returning troops with physical and mental disabilities from their service to our country. It is eyeopening what little is done for the rehabilitation and medical/mental treatment for our troops. Baer's characters are wonderfully developed and I connected with all of them. Through the laughter, angst and yes a few tears, a wonderful story emerges.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLovesBooks Blog
April 9, 2014
This was an amazing book. I loved it. Amazing characters, that I know are from real life. Mr Charlton has a way with words,and I'm sure people. The story of what happens to our war vet's is foremost in this story. If you like stories about transformation, and the power of people to affect change, then this is one book I know you'll enjoy. Well done Mr. Charlton. I look forward to reading more of your books...
October 2, 2018
How does a marine veteran with TBI and PTSD return to civilian life? With friends who care about his being whole again. Many of our veterans are coming back to a government that does not care and a lack of care and caring. This book tries to tell a story of what should be the reception, as it should be. Not easy, but with can do, will do, and always with Semper Fi.
February 4, 2021
A very good read
Being a veteran, themes embraced in this book are very real. I am not a Marine but I know many. My best friend in the Army was a USMC gunnery sergeant—a gunny. The Marine Corps is all about Semper Fi and his book is all about it.
Being a veteran, themes embraced in this book are very real. I am not a Marine but I know many. My best friend in the Army was a USMC gunnery sergeant—a gunny. The Marine Corps is all about Semper Fi and his book is all about it.
February 29, 2016
It's so well rounded, and as a civilian with military family this book touched me.
March 13, 2021
Wow! What a story. Finest book I’ve read in the past year.
April 16, 2021
I’m tempted to say this is a heartwarming story. However, the stories of war and injuries don’t quite fit the description.
An enjoyable book for me that sometimes seemed to drag a bit.
An enjoyable book for me that sometimes seemed to drag a bit.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews