Conspicuous Gallantry

by Daniel Linden

"The author’s prose, spare and direct, potently conveys the emotional angst of men not naturally predisposed to introspection." "A powerful, unflinching examination of the psychological wages of war." - Kirkus Reviews Product description; Conspicuous Gallantry is the long-awaited sequel to The Content of Character. Charlie Cooper has returned from a hitch with the US Marines in Afghanistan and is scarred so badly he calls himself a freak. He is incapable of dealing with his family and his wife Annie, and only his dog Gibbs has the power to get though his shell. His best friend died protecting Charley on the battlefield; died protecting Charley with his own body, and Charlie heard and felt every bullet that hit him and killed him. He wakes screaming, but when he tries to see his friend Victor’s face… all he sees is darkness. Charlie and Amanda try to struggle on, but are only treading water. Until they hit the wall, that is, and Annie tells him she wants a divorce. Charlie will try to do anything, but he is so badly broken he feels there is no hope left. Annie calls her Aunt Amanda and asks for help and with Amanda comes David Posey, her crazy husband. David suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome and is himself damaged, but David has figured out how to survive. David and Amanda come to Maine to help them. What they can do is not certain, but the relationship that develops between David and Charlie slowly seems to lift Charlie out of his shell and a discovery by Army doctors has Charlie and Annie hoping for a breakthrough that will allow them to live happily again as man and wife. As the months drag on they eventually believe there is a way out of the darkness until in one screaming moment of sheer terror Charlie remembers the final instant before his life crashed down around him. And with the revelation he begins to walk through the valley of darkness again… but this time there is a light at the end of the road. Gibbs walks by his side, and they begin to find the truth and the honor that is due to all those who serve and demonstrate conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2015

About the author

Daniel Linden Sensei is master instructor of Shoshin Aikido Dojo. Training in Martial Arts for over 40 years, Linden Sensei has been teaching Aikido for over 35 years. He is one of the most experienced teachers of aikido in th US and currently holds the rank of rokudan (6th Dan). Starting with Boxing in Chicaco in 1962, Linden Sensei also practiced Judo, Karate, and Wrestling. After serving the United States in South Viet Nam for the Navy, Linden Sensei began his study of Aikido in Chicago under Takahashi Sensei and later under Akira Tohei Sensei. Linden Sensei moved to Florida in 1975. There he opened his first Aikido dojo in Central Florida in Crescent City. In 1977 he moved to Denver, Colorado and founded the Rocky Mountain Aikikai, which is still in operation. Linden Sensei moved back to Florida in 1982 and taught Aikido at the University of Central Florida before founding Shoshin Aikido Dojo, Int. in Orlando. Sensei Linden has many interests that spill over into the teaching of his art. The dojo has a Luthiery Studio where he builds world class mandolins and guitars. His big Labrador Retriever, Gibson, sits outside the door watching. He plays guitar, mandolin, and violin for The Rocky Mountain Memory Show which plays music on local and national tours. He is an avid traveler along with his wife Laurie and has seen the Anatalyan Deserts, the High Himalaya and the Citys of Europe. In his career as a Security Specialist for the City of Olando he has been on special assignment to the F.B.I., Ogange County, The F.D.L.E. and has served often with the Presidential Detail of the United States Secret Service. Over the years Daniel Linden has taken advantage of the freedom to develop a unique approach to Aikido that also draws on his strong martial background. While embodying the principles of Aikido, he has found a fresh approach in explaining these principles to Westeners using non-Japanese terms. He has made this approach availabe to all Aikidoka through this book.