What do you think?
Rate this book
America Series #2
Freedom
From the war-shattered jungles of Vietnam to America’s burning cities, near-death in Tibet, peace marches, the battle of Hué and the battle of the Pentagon, wild drugs, rock concerts, free love, CIA coups in Indonesia and Greece, the Six Days’ War, and Bobby Kennedy’s last campaign, Freedom puts you in the Sixties as if it were now.
Mick leaves for the Himalayas while Troy heads to Vietnam with the Marines. Daisy starts her PhD in brain research, and Tara battles heroin as her rock band reaches stardom.
Troy is soon caught up in mind-numbing combat in Vietnam, while Mick returns to the States to lead the antiwar effort. Tara’s band signs a Motown contract amid the Detroit riots. At Stanford, Daisy expands her study of the human brain under LSD and other mind-altering drugs. Troy falls in love with a Vietnamese teacher and is slowly losing faith in the War.
Freedom ends the night before the Tet uprising in Vietnam that will change the War, and trap Troy and his beloved in the fires of hell.
Mick leaves for the Himalayas while Troy heads to Vietnam with the Marines. Daisy starts her PhD in brain research, and Tara battles heroin as her rock band reaches stardom.
Troy is soon caught up in mind-numbing combat in Vietnam, while Mick returns to the States to lead the antiwar effort. Tara’s band signs a Motown contract amid the Detroit riots. At Stanford, Daisy expands her study of the human brain under LSD and other mind-altering drugs. Troy falls in love with a Vietnamese teacher and is slowly losing faith in the War.
Freedom ends the night before the Tet uprising in Vietnam that will change the War, and trap Troy and his beloved in the fires of hell.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2021
322 people are currently reading
2116 people want to read
About the author
Mike Bond
39 books445 followersMIKE BOND has been called the “master of the existential thriller” by the BBC and “one of the 21st century’s most exciting authors” by the Washington Times. He is a bestselling novelist, environmental activist, international energy expert, war and human rights correspondent and award-winning poet who has lived and worked in many remote and dangerous parts of the world. His critically acclaimed novels depict the innate hunger of the human heart for what is good, the intense joys of love, the terror and fury of battle, the sinister vagaries of international politics and multinational corporations, and the beauty of the vanishing natural world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 26, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A story of the sixties, told in the usual, Big Chill type fashion.
A story of the sixties, told in the usual, Big Chill type fashion.
December 23, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Freedom
Author: Mike Bond
Book Series: America Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, war
Publication Date: November 4, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNFed
Explanation of CWs: Can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: Big City Press
Pages: 375
Synopsis: From the war-shattered jungles of Vietnam to America’s burning cities, near-death in Tibet, peace marches, the battle of Hué and the battle of the Pentagon, wild drugs, rock concerts, free love, CIA coups in Indonesia and Greece, the Six Days’ War, and Bobby Kennedy’s last campaign, Freedom puts you in the Sixties as if it were now.
Mick leaves for the Himalayas while Troy heads to Vietnam with the Marines. Daisy starts her PhD in brain research, and Tara battles heroin as her rock band reaches stardom.
Troy is soon caught up in mind-numbing combat in Vietnam, while Mick returns to the States to lead the antiwar effort. Tara’s band signs a Motown contract amid the Detroit riots. At Stanford, Daisy expands her study of the human brain under LSD and other mind-altering drugs. Troy falls in love with a Vietnamese teacher and is slowly losing faith in the War.
Freedom ends the night before the Tet uprising in Vietnam that will change the War, and trap Troy and his beloved in the fires of hell.
Review: I had to DNF this book at 15%. I tried to get into this book, but the way it’s told is not for me and I also noticed that this is the second in a series, which was not told to me when I received this book. The book also talks about war and is based on real events, which is something I’m finding out I don’t like to read about as a reader. So for those reasons I had to DNF.
Verdict: It’s ok, just not for me.
Book: Freedom
Author: Mike Bond
Book Series: America Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, war
Publication Date: November 4, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNFed
Explanation of CWs: Can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: Big City Press
Pages: 375
Synopsis: From the war-shattered jungles of Vietnam to America’s burning cities, near-death in Tibet, peace marches, the battle of Hué and the battle of the Pentagon, wild drugs, rock concerts, free love, CIA coups in Indonesia and Greece, the Six Days’ War, and Bobby Kennedy’s last campaign, Freedom puts you in the Sixties as if it were now.
Mick leaves for the Himalayas while Troy heads to Vietnam with the Marines. Daisy starts her PhD in brain research, and Tara battles heroin as her rock band reaches stardom.
Troy is soon caught up in mind-numbing combat in Vietnam, while Mick returns to the States to lead the antiwar effort. Tara’s band signs a Motown contract amid the Detroit riots. At Stanford, Daisy expands her study of the human brain under LSD and other mind-altering drugs. Troy falls in love with a Vietnamese teacher and is slowly losing faith in the War.
Freedom ends the night before the Tet uprising in Vietnam that will change the War, and trap Troy and his beloved in the fires of hell.
Review: I had to DNF this book at 15%. I tried to get into this book, but the way it’s told is not for me and I also noticed that this is the second in a series, which was not told to me when I received this book. The book also talks about war and is based on real events, which is something I’m finding out I don’t like to read about as a reader. So for those reasons I had to DNF.
Verdict: It’s ok, just not for me.
March 26, 2022
I didn't realize when I picked this up that it was the second in the series. There are four main characters and maybe I would understand their motivations more if I had read book #1. The prose was kind of choppy, almost like a stream of consciousness. At one point when Mick was trying to get out of Jakarta it felt kind of anticlimactic. People being murdered all around him, he sneaks onto a ferry with no money but it was all of four pages maybe. I had looked forward to this. The 60's were my high school years and I thought it would be interesting to read about the things going on around me at that time. There were a couple of raw and gritty statements involving the sex act and Daisy that really triggered me.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Big City Press for providing me with my copy.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Big City Press for providing me with my copy.
December 14, 2025
DNF vulgar profanity
Quite sad. There was no reason to take the swearing to the next level. Bond appeared to write a smart story. Who is his target audience? Who skims a book looking for profanity and complains when there isn't any?
I prefer an author who writes with class.
Goodreads Giveaway Kindle Win, October 2021
Quite sad. There was no reason to take the swearing to the next level. Bond appeared to write a smart story. Who is his target audience? Who skims a book looking for profanity and complains when there isn't any?
I prefer an author who writes with class.
Goodreads Giveaway Kindle Win, October 2021
February 20, 2023
Pretty much an awful book. Could not finish. The first one in the series (America) was very good.
August 28, 2022
Sex, drugs and rock and roll. Hey it was the 60's, a most meaningful time for us Boomers. The continuing adventures of Mick, Troy, Daisy and Tara. Daisy studying hard, Tara bogged down in drugs and music, Troy serving in Vietnam (not that he supports it, just dislikes those who don't). Like Mick, his step brother who seems to receive the emphasis in this, the middle volume of the America Series by Bond. Mick seems to find himself in a number of life threatening situations as he travels the world (maybe to show that even through he avoids service in Vietnam, he is certainly not a coward). At any rate, like the first volume, an interesting read, especially for those of us who lived it, great attention to detail and characterization. Maybe a bit heavy handed in describing the role of government in those times, maybe a bit too Forest Gumpish in the name dropping, but still a worthy read. On to volume the third and last.
February 13, 2022
Disclaimer: I received the Kindle version of this book through a giveaway on Goodreads.
The 60s. The time of my youth and now history. This is the second volume of a trilogy by the author, but it easily stands alone.
The book follows, mainly, three siblings whose lives diverge onto very different paths. Mick, the antiwar activist; Troy, the soldier; and Tara, the musician. All three face challenges and, frankly, I kept waiting for at least one of them to have their appointment at Samarra. The book follows the 60s mantra of "Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll", and Mick, more than the other characters, is actually a walking petri dish.
The writing is, for the most part, elegant and riveting. The story flows easily, but does have an abrupt ending. Descriptions of Southeast Asia are beautiful, and those of the Himalayas are breathtaking. Although a long book, it doesn't take long to read.
Trigger warning #1: The author uses a lot of raw language, especially when talking about sex and the acts.
Trigger warning #2: The depiction of war is graphic. The book marks Viet Nam, the Indonesian uprising, the coup in Greece and the Six-Day War between Israel and the Arab states.
If either of these triggers will upset you, pass the book by. For me, the book was enjoyable and engrossing. and I recommend it.
The 60s. The time of my youth and now history. This is the second volume of a trilogy by the author, but it easily stands alone.
The book follows, mainly, three siblings whose lives diverge onto very different paths. Mick, the antiwar activist; Troy, the soldier; and Tara, the musician. All three face challenges and, frankly, I kept waiting for at least one of them to have their appointment at Samarra. The book follows the 60s mantra of "Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll", and Mick, more than the other characters, is actually a walking petri dish.
The writing is, for the most part, elegant and riveting. The story flows easily, but does have an abrupt ending. Descriptions of Southeast Asia are beautiful, and those of the Himalayas are breathtaking. Although a long book, it doesn't take long to read.
Trigger warning #1: The author uses a lot of raw language, especially when talking about sex and the acts.
Trigger warning #2: The depiction of war is graphic. The book marks Viet Nam, the Indonesian uprising, the coup in Greece and the Six-Day War between Israel and the Arab states.
If either of these triggers will upset you, pass the book by. For me, the book was enjoyable and engrossing. and I recommend it.
December 2, 2022
Mike Bond’s “Freedom” is the second in a 7-volume series of historical novels about America beginning in the 1960s. It continues the story of Mick, Troy, Tara, and Daisy begun in volume 1, “Revolution.”
I have not read “Revolution,” which made the beginning of “Freedom” a challenge—kind of like being set down in a strange city without a map to guide you. For the first 15% of the novel, I seriously considered giving up because I had very little idea who these characters were or why I should care about them. Also, it did not help that the novel kept jumping from character to character and setting to setting, which made it seem erratic.
But the prose itself was so good that I kept going. Mr. Bond is a fine writer with great descriptive abilities. He takes his readers from the heights of the Himalayas to the jungles of South Viet Nam to the streets of Manhattan’s Harlem and Lower East Side, along with so many other places. No matter the setting—be it a Vietnamese village under attack, a perilous rock-climbing expedition, a drug-fueled orgy in a run-down tenement, or an anti-war protest meeting—through sight, sound, taste, and smell, Mr. Bond places readers right in the middle of it. It is in this way that we are immersed in 1960s America.
Mr. Bond is also quite good at creating “edge-of-the-seat” scenes of action and danger—the kind of scenes that have readers holding their breaths while quickly turning pages to find out what happens next.
Some notes of caution. “Freedom” is written from a “liberal” or “left-of-center” perspective. It assumes the Viet Nam War was wrong and that politicians’ reasons for waging it were ignoble. It does a pretty “deep dive” into some of the thinking and questioning of the anti-war movement and doesn’t give much credence to countervailing conservative opinions and positions. Also, “Freedom” contains scenes that are sexually explicit, contain profanity, and/or feature illicit drug usage.
Nevertheless, all in all, I found “Freedom” to be an absorbing, sometimes exciting work, well-suited for anyone interested in America during the 1960s.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an electronic ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.
I have not read “Revolution,” which made the beginning of “Freedom” a challenge—kind of like being set down in a strange city without a map to guide you. For the first 15% of the novel, I seriously considered giving up because I had very little idea who these characters were or why I should care about them. Also, it did not help that the novel kept jumping from character to character and setting to setting, which made it seem erratic.
But the prose itself was so good that I kept going. Mr. Bond is a fine writer with great descriptive abilities. He takes his readers from the heights of the Himalayas to the jungles of South Viet Nam to the streets of Manhattan’s Harlem and Lower East Side, along with so many other places. No matter the setting—be it a Vietnamese village under attack, a perilous rock-climbing expedition, a drug-fueled orgy in a run-down tenement, or an anti-war protest meeting—through sight, sound, taste, and smell, Mr. Bond places readers right in the middle of it. It is in this way that we are immersed in 1960s America.
Mr. Bond is also quite good at creating “edge-of-the-seat” scenes of action and danger—the kind of scenes that have readers holding their breaths while quickly turning pages to find out what happens next.
Some notes of caution. “Freedom” is written from a “liberal” or “left-of-center” perspective. It assumes the Viet Nam War was wrong and that politicians’ reasons for waging it were ignoble. It does a pretty “deep dive” into some of the thinking and questioning of the anti-war movement and doesn’t give much credence to countervailing conservative opinions and positions. Also, “Freedom” contains scenes that are sexually explicit, contain profanity, and/or feature illicit drug usage.
Nevertheless, all in all, I found “Freedom” to be an absorbing, sometimes exciting work, well-suited for anyone interested in America during the 1960s.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an electronic ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.
December 9, 2021
Made my think
When I was younger I thought I was very patriotic by thinking, how could someone burn their draft card, or go to Canada. To avoid the war. At that time I myself joined the Army. I was
lucky enough to be sent to Germany. But this book gave me great insight into the war in Vietnam. It was a very sad time in our history. The careicters in this book reminded of a few friends that l had. I really enjoyed this book!
When I was younger I thought I was very patriotic by thinking, how could someone burn their draft card, or go to Canada. To avoid the war. At that time I myself joined the Army. I was
lucky enough to be sent to Germany. But this book gave me great insight into the war in Vietnam. It was a very sad time in our history. The careicters in this book reminded of a few friends that l had. I really enjoyed this book!
February 12, 2022
"...the delicate dark moss of her c**t" is a sentence I never want to read ever again. And for that matter, I never want to read anything else by Mike Bond. Knowing that there will be 5 more volumes of this nonsense hurts my soul.
I'm going to keep this brief because there really isn't much to say. Everything that made the first volume unbearable is amplified here, except now all of our characters are so crucially important to historical events that it's just fallen into fanfiction territory at this point (with Bobby Kennedy being shoehorned in as a side character).
Every other page (it felt like) is dedicated to some sort of awkward, poorly written sex scene that does nothing for the story. It's there to make the already boring story seem more interesting than it actually is.
If you've read any war novel or watched any movie that takes place during the Vietnam War, you can skip this because every cliche and talking point is hit here to the nth degree. It's obnoxiously self centered.
I've been in a reading slump this year, at least when it comes to novels, but now that I know this is finally finished I can rest easy and hopefully pick something up that's worthwhile.
Thanks again to Big City Press and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this novel.
I'm going to keep this brief because there really isn't much to say. Everything that made the first volume unbearable is amplified here, except now all of our characters are so crucially important to historical events that it's just fallen into fanfiction territory at this point (with Bobby Kennedy being shoehorned in as a side character).
Every other page (it felt like) is dedicated to some sort of awkward, poorly written sex scene that does nothing for the story. It's there to make the already boring story seem more interesting than it actually is.
If you've read any war novel or watched any movie that takes place during the Vietnam War, you can skip this because every cliche and talking point is hit here to the nth degree. It's obnoxiously self centered.
I've been in a reading slump this year, at least when it comes to novels, but now that I know this is finally finished I can rest easy and hopefully pick something up that's worthwhile.
Thanks again to Big City Press and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this novel.
April 9, 2022
Mike Bond continues his America series with book two, Freedom. Mick, Daisy, Troy and Tara are in their 20s, living in the 1960s. Troy is fighting in Vietnam while Mick is leading anti-war efforts at home. Tara is a rock star, playing music….and shooting heroin. And Daisy? She’s knee deep in neuroscience research - with the assistance of LSD.
As I’ve said before, Mike Bond is a phenomenal writer. He’s lived an extraordinary life and it shows on every page. With years of journalism experience, he leaves no stone unturned, pulls no punches. Bond is one of the most talented writers of our time and at least so far, the America series is a masterpiece.
I cannot recommend this series highly enough, especially if you are interested in history or politics. I am really looking forward to Heart, the third book in the series.
Thanks to Mike Bond, Meryl Moss, Big City Press, and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
As I’ve said before, Mike Bond is a phenomenal writer. He’s lived an extraordinary life and it shows on every page. With years of journalism experience, he leaves no stone unturned, pulls no punches. Bond is one of the most talented writers of our time and at least so far, the America series is a masterpiece.
I cannot recommend this series highly enough, especially if you are interested in history or politics. I am really looking forward to Heart, the third book in the series.
Thanks to Mike Bond, Meryl Moss, Big City Press, and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
December 18, 2021
Freedom continues the saga of four kids as the grow and navigate the tumultuous 1960's - war, sex, drugs and rock-n-roll.
Mick is ever defying death is his world travels and becomes an anti-war protestor.
Troy lands in Vietnam to fight a war No one is sure "why" we are involved.
Tara is living the rock-n-roll life touring the country and experimenting in drugs.
Daisy begins a PH.D program.
Freedom is dominated by Mick's storyline; his efforts to fight the draft and rally people to fight the war. He also has many travel with death defying heroics - how is he still alive? This series continues to provide a realistic account of what life was like during a revolution of sex, love and protests.
Again, just like book one, it has incredible insight and detail. I often found myself skimming to get back to the REAL story - Mick, Troy, Tara and Daisy.
Mick is ever defying death is his world travels and becomes an anti-war protestor.
Troy lands in Vietnam to fight a war No one is sure "why" we are involved.
Tara is living the rock-n-roll life touring the country and experimenting in drugs.
Daisy begins a PH.D program.
Freedom is dominated by Mick's storyline; his efforts to fight the draft and rally people to fight the war. He also has many travel with death defying heroics - how is he still alive? This series continues to provide a realistic account of what life was like during a revolution of sex, love and protests.
Again, just like book one, it has incredible insight and detail. I often found myself skimming to get back to the REAL story - Mick, Troy, Tara and Daisy.
March 16, 2022
I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it, so I got this one. However, it was very disappointing. It moved so slowly that I found myself skimming more pages than I actually read. Even though I lived through the 60s, I found the nonstop anti-war conversations and sex monotonous. I finally pitched it about halfway through. I loved the concept of the series, but thought it could be done in a more fluid and engaging way.
Read
January 16, 2022Didn't care for it
If you are a Vietnam veteran, I encourage you not to read it. It's full of the same garbage you heard from the protesters while you were in the Nam doing your duty.
If you are a Vietnam veteran, I encourage you not to read it. It's full of the same garbage you heard from the protesters while you were in the Nam doing your duty.
January 29, 2022
I had to DNF this book which is something I rarely do. I had a very hard time getting into it and eventually I gave up. It's simply not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Big City Press for the opportunity to review this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Big City Press for the opportunity to review this book.
May 21, 2022
What do I say...
Way to much sex
Blame America for everything guilty or not
History used can be distorted in a few cases totally inaccurate
He's not one to appreciate God
Did I mention way to much sex
Better writers other books
Save your money
Way to much sex
Blame America for everything guilty or not
History used can be distorted in a few cases totally inaccurate
He's not one to appreciate God
Did I mention way to much sex
Better writers other books
Save your money
May 16, 2023
Freedom by Mike Bond is the second book in his America series, featuring Mick, his sister Tara, adopted brother Troy and Mick’s high school girlfriend Daisy. All are now in their 20s, pursuing their varied paths in the turbulent mid-60s—post JFK assassination, LBJ’s war in Vietnam, and political unrest around the world.
Troy is a Marine in Vietnam, while Mick has become a draft resistor and anti-war activist. Tara is a musician and vocalist in a very successful rock and roll band, and Daisy is a neuroscience grad student researching the effects of LSD.
I really like the author’s story-telling style, which blends character-driven narrative with real world events. The flavor of the times rings true as I knew folks of all these character types in the 60s. If the historical facts presented here are accurate, politics were much murkier than I ever realized then. The depictions of drug use are authentic, especially on the progressive coasts. While there was a new-found sexual freedom with the introduction of the birth control pill, the story itself did not need so much emphasis on that activity to move the tale forward.
America, the first novel in this series, is excellent! This second entry feels more serious as it focuses on the angst of young adults, mostly male, as they struggle with the social realities of war, racism, economics and their future.
While this could be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend beginning with “America” for a rounder look at these very interesting characters.
Thank you to Big City Press, Mike Bond and NetGalley for the ARC. These opinions are solely my own.
Troy is a Marine in Vietnam, while Mick has become a draft resistor and anti-war activist. Tara is a musician and vocalist in a very successful rock and roll band, and Daisy is a neuroscience grad student researching the effects of LSD.
I really like the author’s story-telling style, which blends character-driven narrative with real world events. The flavor of the times rings true as I knew folks of all these character types in the 60s. If the historical facts presented here are accurate, politics were much murkier than I ever realized then. The depictions of drug use are authentic, especially on the progressive coasts. While there was a new-found sexual freedom with the introduction of the birth control pill, the story itself did not need so much emphasis on that activity to move the tale forward.
America, the first novel in this series, is excellent! This second entry feels more serious as it focuses on the angst of young adults, mostly male, as they struggle with the social realities of war, racism, economics and their future.
While this could be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend beginning with “America” for a rounder look at these very interesting characters.
Thank you to Big City Press, Mike Bond and NetGalley for the ARC. These opinions are solely my own.
October 20, 2022
Freedom is the second book in a series by Mike Bond and I felt at a total disadvantage for not having read the first one. Not that they referred to obscure events I knew nothing about but because Troy, Nick and Tara all made life changing decisions at the beginning of the book and I didn’t feel invested in those decisions at all but having said that by the time Troy was in love with the Vietnamese teacher and Lucy was in a quandary over what to study for her doctorate I was totally into it. I didn’t like Nick at all perhaps that’s due to my personal feelings about people who dodge wars but won’t freedoms but in any event I felt so bad for Tara and although I’m sure when Louise offered her heroin he may have really believed he was doing her a favor because when you’re young you feel invincible and if we knew how doing drugs ended no one would ever take them but having said that the things they visit in book 3 or things I am not familiar with and I cannot wait to read it I do find Mr. Bond blames the CIA for a lot of America’s problems and being someone who loves to read nonfiction about such subjects can only agree. I think the author of this book is highly intelligent has a great grasp on the subject matter. I am so glad I already have the third book download it.I Thoroughly enjoyed this! I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review
December 23, 2021
America 2 is part of a 7 book series that highlight the last 70 years. Tensions and turmoil outline the different chapters in America's life since the Civil War. Book two chronicles the later years of the swinging 60's with free love, the Vietnam war, the disenchantment of some soldiers and Americans with our country's involvement, the hippie drug culture, rock concerts, peace marches, CIA interventions, and those seeking actualization. This was the world I was surrounded with growing up-protests at college, friends experimenting with drugs, family members forever changed with PTSD,
and everything stated above. The novel is told through 4 different individuals who are each searching, searching searching with a myriad of deportments. Characters are thoroughly examined and the reader is totally immersed in the setting. However, I found this book painful. That period of my life was so divided and embittered that I was not able to separate the characters from the reality that I had lived. For those who can plunge into this experience, I think this is a book you will really appreciate.
Thank you to NetGalley for an honest review.
and everything stated above. The novel is told through 4 different individuals who are each searching, searching searching with a myriad of deportments. Characters are thoroughly examined and the reader is totally immersed in the setting. However, I found this book painful. That period of my life was so divided and embittered that I was not able to separate the characters from the reality that I had lived. For those who can plunge into this experience, I think this is a book you will really appreciate.
Thank you to NetGalley for an honest review.
November 30, 2022
Part of a series. The book follows, mainly, three siblings whose lives diverge onto very different paths. Mick, the antiwar activist; Troy, the soldier; and Tara, the musician. All three face challenges and, frankly, I kept waiting for at least one of them to have their appointment at Samarra. The book follows the 60s mantra of "Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll", and Mick, more than the other characters, is actually a walking petri dish. The writing is, for the most part, elegant and riveting. The story flows easily, but does have an abrupt ending. Descriptions of Southeast Asia are beautiful, and those of the Himalayas are breathtaking. Although a long book, it doesn't take long to read. Powerful and well written story about the horrors of the Viet Nam war. Sad that we never seem to learn from history and repeat the same mistakes. We let corporate America and all their power for money get us involved in wars we don't belong.
Thanks again to Big City Press and NetGalley
Thanks again to Big City Press and NetGalley
January 5, 2022
“Freedom”, Book 2 of the American series, by Mike Bond, is a series that follows the lives of Americans Mick, Troy, Tara and Daisy. In the first book of the series, we experienced their childhood and teen years. In “FREEDOM’, we follow them into young adulthood during the tumultuous times of the 1960’s. Each of them chooses a different path. I appreciate what the author is creating- an historical fiction look through the decades of change in America, but it was hard for me to bond with the characters. Way too much sex and drugs for this reader! However, I can see that readers who are keen to learn more about the events of the Viet Nam War, with a graphic look at the behavior and social events of the 1960’a and onward would be interested. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Meryl Moss Media group for a digital advance review copy. This is my honest review.
October 3, 2022
I received this book as a good reads giveaway.
Before I read this one I bought a copy of the first book in the series which I enjoyed a great deal. The second book was grittier and jumped around a little more to continue following the characters as they began their adult lives. Mick, Tara, Daisy and Troy travel around the world on separate paths to explore what life means to them as young adults of the 1960s.
I enjoyed the look back into the political history, some of which I knew about and some that I am excited to research more on my own now.
I found the ending quite abrupt, but appropriate after thinking about it. The next book will begin at a watershed moment and I'm interested to see where the lives of these characters will diverge and/or collide next.
Before I read this one I bought a copy of the first book in the series which I enjoyed a great deal. The second book was grittier and jumped around a little more to continue following the characters as they began their adult lives. Mick, Tara, Daisy and Troy travel around the world on separate paths to explore what life means to them as young adults of the 1960s.
I enjoyed the look back into the political history, some of which I knew about and some that I am excited to research more on my own now.
I found the ending quite abrupt, but appropriate after thinking about it. The next book will begin at a watershed moment and I'm interested to see where the lives of these characters will diverge and/or collide next.
May 21, 2023
It was the 60’s. The story continues. The first book Freedom introduces the four youth - Mick and Tara O’Brien, Troy, a runaway orphan becomes part of the O’Brien family and Daisy, who is Mick’s girlfriend. I did read Freedom and it is not necessary to read it first. America can be read as a stand alone. Strong themes of sex, drugs, racism, war and politics, especially in regards to the Vietnam War. The writing is filled with what was going on in the 60’s and the book has lots of sex. The first part of the book for me had more substance.
Thank you #Netgalley, #BigCityPress, #MikeBond and #America for the copy for my honest review.
Thank you #Netgalley, #BigCityPress, #MikeBond and #America for the copy for my honest review.
August 3, 2022
DNF
i wish i'd known this was a the 2nd book in a projected 7 book series....
my hope is that, part of the reason i did not connect with any of the main characters was due to all their character building happened in the first book "America". as it was, we're thrown into 3 disparate, meandering, overwrought narratives (i think there is supposed to be a 4th but her arc is barely covered) of damaged, rather unlikeable characters.
this is not say "Freedom" is poorly written, because there is clearly craft here, it's just not for me.
i wish i'd known this was a the 2nd book in a projected 7 book series....
my hope is that, part of the reason i did not connect with any of the main characters was due to all their character building happened in the first book "America". as it was, we're thrown into 3 disparate, meandering, overwrought narratives (i think there is supposed to be a 4th but her arc is barely covered) of damaged, rather unlikeable characters.
this is not say "Freedom" is poorly written, because there is clearly craft here, it's just not for me.
Read
November 9, 2021FREEDOM is a testament to the effect the politics and moral revolution have had on America, how what happened then created what we are now. Although the novel can stand on its own, readers may find themselves eager for the next book in the series but also heading to the local bookstore to get AMERICA. All in all, as Mick’s friend says, “the revolution starts here.”
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/11/04/mike-...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/11/04/mike-...
March 20, 2024
So many of today's readers will never believe the "stuff" we did in the 70s. Advances in technology and every other ology have made many essential jobs and businesses obsolete. Even advances in productivity pushed so many from a solid, secure world into one where their skills and abilities were no longer relevant. In FREEDOM, Mike Bond tells the story with all of the ugly bits revealed. It's a great story with so many memories built in.
March 31, 2025
I won this in a giveaway, and after reading the synopsis again, I realized I would have to read the first book or I wouldn't understand what was going on, so I did that and then continued with this one. I think he does a great job describing the turmoil of the 60s with the war and the politics. Personally it's not my favorite series but I am going to read the third book - I want to know what happens to the characters!
November 16, 2021
Book was to the point concerning vietnam. The government dragged it out with the loss of many lives. It did devide our country while those who served were not appreciated for serving our country. Wrong! They deserve our thanks.
November 22, 2021
Powerful and well written story about the horrors of the Viet Nam war. Sad that we never seem to learn from history and repeat the same mistakes. We let corporate America and all their power for money get us involved in wars we don't belong.
December 21, 2021
This is a fictional look at the turbulent 60s. It’s political, r up in one novel. I struggled a bit with the flow and connecting to the various characters- none of them truly gripped me. It was quite the undertaking with an interesting view of the Vietnam War. Thanks to NetGalley for the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews