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Flightless Falcon
Interstate 70, April 1969 After being in the Air Force Academy for only a year, Sam
Roberts has resigned. His father isfurious. His mother is understanding, but
unsupportive. As for his mind, well . . . Sam doesn't really know what to think
anymore. All he knows is that he doesn't believe in the US's involvement in the
Vietnam War and can't be part of the situation any longer. So he stands on the
I-70 interstate, having just separated from his girlfriend, and starts his hitchhiking
journey from Colorado all the way to St. Louis, Missouri. Along his way he'll meet people from all walks of four
Hispanic youth driving to a quinceañera, retired WWII vets who have differing
opinions on Sam's views, a hippie who just got out of serving in the war
himself, and a gay couple from California. Each brings their own perspective to
the Vietnam War and American ideals. And for Sam, the shared rides turn into a
sharing of ideas, of one's past and stories, that help him go from driving along
the interstate to flying the course he has always meant to be on. Taken from the author's personal experience, Flightless
Falcon's historical fiction novel presents the varying nuances of American
attitudes during the 1960s through one young man's interaction between people,
their pasts, and their perceptions on service, life, and love.
Roberts has resigned. His father isfurious. His mother is understanding, but
unsupportive. As for his mind, well . . . Sam doesn't really know what to think
anymore. All he knows is that he doesn't believe in the US's involvement in the
Vietnam War and can't be part of the situation any longer. So he stands on the
I-70 interstate, having just separated from his girlfriend, and starts his hitchhiking
journey from Colorado all the way to St. Louis, Missouri. Along his way he'll meet people from all walks of four
Hispanic youth driving to a quinceañera, retired WWII vets who have differing
opinions on Sam's views, a hippie who just got out of serving in the war
himself, and a gay couple from California. Each brings their own perspective to
the Vietnam War and American ideals. And for Sam, the shared rides turn into a
sharing of ideas, of one's past and stories, that help him go from driving along
the interstate to flying the course he has always meant to be on. Taken from the author's personal experience, Flightless
Falcon's historical fiction novel presents the varying nuances of American
attitudes during the 1960s through one young man's interaction between people,
their pasts, and their perceptions on service, life, and love.
- GenresComing Of Age
250 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2024
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 3, 2024
Flightless Falcon
In this Vietnam-era coming of age novel, a young man abandons military life and becomes an eyewitness to America’s deep divisions over the war.
Adrift and alone in 1969 America, a young man takes to the road.
When Sam Roberts resigns from the Air Force Academy, his father is furious.
His mother is understanding but offers little support. All Sam knows is he doesn’t believe in the US’s involvement in the Vietnam War and he can’t be part of it any longer.
Cut loose from a life he once believed in and the woman he once loved, Sam hitchhikes across the country in search of himself. As a passenger in the countless cars who stop to offer rides, he encounters people from all walks of life: Hispanic youths on their way to a quinceañera, retired WWII veterans with surprisingly different perspectives on the war, even a hippie who just left the military himself. His journey is an eye-opening tour through the polarized politics of 1960s America, a transporting exchange of ideas that sends Sam on his way to becoming the man he’s meant to be.
About the Author
James Charles Smith is a talented author who embarked on a journey from journalism to engineering before finding his true calling as a novelist. Born in Texas, he traveled widely as a US Air Force brat and then with his own wife and kids. He first attended college at the United States Air Force Academy and resigned during his first year, which is the inspiration for this story. He is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism from the University of Missouri. Following journalism school, he worked for various newspapers before settling down in television production. He worked for ten years as a writer, editor, cameraman, and producer/director, but it's a family tradition to change one's mind.
To better provide for his family, James returned to school for an engineering degree. As both an engineer and engineering manager, his duties included the writing and publishing of technical reports, engineering investigations, and training materials. Serving as a consultant to the Electric Power Research Institute, he edited their report on the instrumentation and control upgrade plan for the commercial nuclear power industry. Currently, he lives with his dog, Abel, in the foothills of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Flightless Falcon is his first novel.
Not a book I would usually go for but ended up liking this style and found it to be a very easy read.
It follows the main characters journey back home to his parents. The author uses present and past moments to help build our understanding of the character and how to had come to be on this journey.
Along his way he meets a range of people that reflect a lot of events that were happening in America at the time. This is a lovely detail to the history and feels like you have been taken back in time.
I was very happy to be given the chance to read and review this book with another big thank you to the write reads, Publisher and author.
In this Vietnam-era coming of age novel, a young man abandons military life and becomes an eyewitness to America’s deep divisions over the war.
Adrift and alone in 1969 America, a young man takes to the road.
When Sam Roberts resigns from the Air Force Academy, his father is furious.
His mother is understanding but offers little support. All Sam knows is he doesn’t believe in the US’s involvement in the Vietnam War and he can’t be part of it any longer.
Cut loose from a life he once believed in and the woman he once loved, Sam hitchhikes across the country in search of himself. As a passenger in the countless cars who stop to offer rides, he encounters people from all walks of life: Hispanic youths on their way to a quinceañera, retired WWII veterans with surprisingly different perspectives on the war, even a hippie who just left the military himself. His journey is an eye-opening tour through the polarized politics of 1960s America, a transporting exchange of ideas that sends Sam on his way to becoming the man he’s meant to be.
About the Author
James Charles Smith is a talented author who embarked on a journey from journalism to engineering before finding his true calling as a novelist. Born in Texas, he traveled widely as a US Air Force brat and then with his own wife and kids. He first attended college at the United States Air Force Academy and resigned during his first year, which is the inspiration for this story. He is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism from the University of Missouri. Following journalism school, he worked for various newspapers before settling down in television production. He worked for ten years as a writer, editor, cameraman, and producer/director, but it's a family tradition to change one's mind.
To better provide for his family, James returned to school for an engineering degree. As both an engineer and engineering manager, his duties included the writing and publishing of technical reports, engineering investigations, and training materials. Serving as a consultant to the Electric Power Research Institute, he edited their report on the instrumentation and control upgrade plan for the commercial nuclear power industry. Currently, he lives with his dog, Abel, in the foothills of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Flightless Falcon is his first novel.
Not a book I would usually go for but ended up liking this style and found it to be a very easy read.
It follows the main characters journey back home to his parents. The author uses present and past moments to help build our understanding of the character and how to had come to be on this journey.
Along his way he meets a range of people that reflect a lot of events that were happening in America at the time. This is a lovely detail to the history and feels like you have been taken back in time.
I was very happy to be given the chance to read and review this book with another big thank you to the write reads, Publisher and author.
September 26, 2024
Flightless Falcon is the story of Sam, just resigned from being a cadet in the Air Force Academy, making his way back home to his parents by hitchhiking.
His road trip is a much needed space for his head to work out what he actually wants from life. He knows what he doesn’t want, that much is clear.
His internal struggle is as much to do with his own feelings as it is to do with managing the feelings of others, especially his father.
During his journey he is picked up by a variety of people, reflecting the scenes and events happening across America at the time. This is also highlighted in the excellent soundtrack of his journey.
By conversing, and in some cases staying a while, with the people he travels with, they give Sam a lot to think about.
The author breaks up Sam’s homeward journey with stories from Sam’s past, both at the academy and his school days, which add perspective to how Sam found himself on the road.
The journey along with Sam is interesting and reflective, and the author has done a good job of bringing the turmoil of the time back to life, alongside Sam’s personal journey to find himself.
Thanks to the publisher, Brown Books, and The Write Reads for the eARC for the purposes of the review
His road trip is a much needed space for his head to work out what he actually wants from life. He knows what he doesn’t want, that much is clear.
His internal struggle is as much to do with his own feelings as it is to do with managing the feelings of others, especially his father.
During his journey he is picked up by a variety of people, reflecting the scenes and events happening across America at the time. This is also highlighted in the excellent soundtrack of his journey.
By conversing, and in some cases staying a while, with the people he travels with, they give Sam a lot to think about.
The author breaks up Sam’s homeward journey with stories from Sam’s past, both at the academy and his school days, which add perspective to how Sam found himself on the road.
The journey along with Sam is interesting and reflective, and the author has done a good job of bringing the turmoil of the time back to life, alongside Sam’s personal journey to find himself.
Thanks to the publisher, Brown Books, and The Write Reads for the eARC for the purposes of the review
September 27, 2024
Flightless Falcon is an absorbing coming of age historical novel, tracking the travels of Sam, a recent air cadet who has abandoned his notion of service due to his lack of support for the Vietnam War. His choice to leave has angered his father, who disapproves and while his mother sympathises, she is silent in her support. Sam hitchhikes a journey across America, coming into contact with a wide range of peoples, such as: ex-servicemen; hippies; LGBTQIA couole, which allows him to explore his thoughts and feelings throughout open conversations. Each new encounter allows inner growth and a sense of finally accepting his choice and finding his place. The range of opinions and reflections show a divided nation and makes this such an engaging and interesting read. An engrossing 250 pages. #flightlessfalcon #jamescharlessmith #TheWriteReads
October 3, 2024
James Smith's Flightless Falcon is a fictional coming-of-age novel set in 1960s—early '70s America. The book starts with sobering facts about the injury and death toll of the Vietnam War. Those facts sit with you as you meet Sam Roberts, the protagonist, who is leaving the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. You learn that Sam is going because the Vietnam War wasn't a war he agreed with, and being in the service meant inevitable deployment. His feelings of having disappointed his family by leaving are clear. With little money and after leaving his great love, Cheryl, behind, Sam relies on hitchhikers to get him back home to his family.
Sam's circumstances make the readers feel empathetic to Sam from the start. Sam is easily likable, and I found him brave, as leaving everything behind to take a different path is difficult. The people readers meet along Sam's journey back home elevate the story. Smith's excellent use of the characters he met throughout his journey to help the reader understand how different people thought and felt at that time is a testament to his creativity.
Music is an equally creative way to highlight the period and help readers remember the strife written into the music of that time. Music feels like a tertiary character as it relays feelings, emotions, and memories in a unique and powerful way.
The alternating of past and present through flashbacks could be clearer but gives readers a perspective of how Sam made his choices. Smith uses this tactic to break up the scenes of his journey home.
More than just a coming-of-age story, this book often feels like an autobiography. It's not just well-written; it's also easy and fun to read. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction and coming-of-age stories, offering a compelling and enjoyable narrative.
Sam's circumstances make the readers feel empathetic to Sam from the start. Sam is easily likable, and I found him brave, as leaving everything behind to take a different path is difficult. The people readers meet along Sam's journey back home elevate the story. Smith's excellent use of the characters he met throughout his journey to help the reader understand how different people thought and felt at that time is a testament to his creativity.
Music is an equally creative way to highlight the period and help readers remember the strife written into the music of that time. Music feels like a tertiary character as it relays feelings, emotions, and memories in a unique and powerful way.
The alternating of past and present through flashbacks could be clearer but gives readers a perspective of how Sam made his choices. Smith uses this tactic to break up the scenes of his journey home.
More than just a coming-of-age story, this book often feels like an autobiography. It's not just well-written; it's also easy and fun to read. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction and coming-of-age stories, offering a compelling and enjoyable narrative.
September 29, 2024
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with The Write Reads.
This is a coming-of-age story set in the late 1960s. At the start, we meet the protagonist, Sam Roberts, who has made the decision to resign from the Air Force.
Sam seemed like an intelligent and caring person, and I was interested to know more about him and his story, wondering what he might do next. I felt the romance between Sam and his girlfriend, Cheryl; they shared a powerful connection.
The writing had a nostalgic sort of quality that I appreciated, and I warmed to some of the other characters that Sam met and befriended later on. My favourite character, or at least, the one I connected with the most, was Crystal.
This was a heartwarming read, and I found it easy to finish in one sitting. Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a coming-of-age story set in the late 1960s. At the start, we meet the protagonist, Sam Roberts, who has made the decision to resign from the Air Force.
Sam seemed like an intelligent and caring person, and I was interested to know more about him and his story, wondering what he might do next. I felt the romance between Sam and his girlfriend, Cheryl; they shared a powerful connection.
The writing had a nostalgic sort of quality that I appreciated, and I warmed to some of the other characters that Sam met and befriended later on. My favourite character, or at least, the one I connected with the most, was Crystal.
This was a heartwarming read, and I found it easy to finish in one sitting. Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
October 4, 2024
Flightless Falcon is a novel thats based around the author's own story and his time in the US military. A coming of age story as it were.
Told in past and present format the author takes us on a journey with Sam unlike any other. The characters he meets along the way are fascinating in their own right and they all have their different views and opinions on the Vietnam War.
The book does feature some fact that gives an insight into just how many were maimed and killed in the realities of war.
An enjoyable adventure.
Told in past and present format the author takes us on a journey with Sam unlike any other. The characters he meets along the way are fascinating in their own right and they all have their different views and opinions on the Vietnam War.
The book does feature some fact that gives an insight into just how many were maimed and killed in the realities of war.
An enjoyable adventure.
October 5, 2024
Read the complete non-spoiler review of the book in my blog : https://bookbugworld.com/review-fligh...
December 27, 2024
Flightless Falcon is a brilliant novel that has something for everyone. I couldn’t put it down. It’s a coming of age story, an in-depth look at life in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the U.S.(complete with a song list at the end!), a poignant love story, an account of the pull-push emotions of a young man torn between serving his country and fighting in a war (Vietnam) he doesn’t believe in. It’s also a glimpse at a potpourri of interesting and divergent people of this period. The writing is beautifully lyrical, perfectly capturing the physical and emotional landscape in which the protagonist finds himself.
It threads that difficult needle of entertaining readers while educating us. For instance, the author opens the book with a paragraph containing sobering statistics on injuries and loss of lives by all participants in the Vietnam War. The book is peppered with compelling statistics.
The protagonist, Sam Roberts, resigns from what appears to be an ideal life: a cadet at the prestigious Air Force Academy in Colorado. After much soul-searching, he leaves and hitchhikes back home to St. Louis to plan his next move, hopefully one that avoids being drafted. On the way, he meets a cross section of characters who represent a slice of American life at the time. He also rekindles love with his high school girlfriend, Cheryl.
The life of James Charles Smith, the author, seems to parallel the novel’s story in certain ways, to what degree, the reader never knows. Like Sam, he resigned from the United States Air Force Academy during his first year and returned to his hometown of St. Louis. I found this fact intriguing, and wondered how many of the quirky people Sam met on his trip back home represented flesh and blood people Smith met, how much of the love story reflected his own experiences, etc. That made the novel all the more fascinating.
I highly recommend.
It threads that difficult needle of entertaining readers while educating us. For instance, the author opens the book with a paragraph containing sobering statistics on injuries and loss of lives by all participants in the Vietnam War. The book is peppered with compelling statistics.
The protagonist, Sam Roberts, resigns from what appears to be an ideal life: a cadet at the prestigious Air Force Academy in Colorado. After much soul-searching, he leaves and hitchhikes back home to St. Louis to plan his next move, hopefully one that avoids being drafted. On the way, he meets a cross section of characters who represent a slice of American life at the time. He also rekindles love with his high school girlfriend, Cheryl.
The life of James Charles Smith, the author, seems to parallel the novel’s story in certain ways, to what degree, the reader never knows. Like Sam, he resigned from the United States Air Force Academy during his first year and returned to his hometown of St. Louis. I found this fact intriguing, and wondered how many of the quirky people Sam met on his trip back home represented flesh and blood people Smith met, how much of the love story reflected his own experiences, etc. That made the novel all the more fascinating.
I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews