Backward-Facing Man

by Don Silver

His debut novel in which betrayal, love, and loss among sixties radicals has its aftermath in latter-day Philadelphia.

305 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Don Silver has been a musician, talent scout for a record company, record producer, business person, and consultant to CEOs. He has an MFA from Bennington College. His first novel, “Backward-Facing Man,” published by Ecco/HarperCollins, was hailed as “memorably offbeat” (New York Times) and “illuminating and entertaining” (Pittsburgh Tribune). His second novel, “Scorched,” will be released in May 2024. Originally from Philadelphia, Don lives in Asheville, NC. Learn more at www.donsilver.net.

Reviews

[Robert Zimmerman]

I picked this up because Silver lives in the same quirky town as I do. For a first novel, I think the fellow did a stellar job and I'm surprised and perplexed he's only now, in 2024, coming out with his second novel. Most readers will enjoy this, I think. If nothing else, you'll gain insights into the ideological misfits that were the Symbionese Liberation Army and the times they romped and robbed in.

[Tiffany Travis]

Confusing to keep all the characters separate at first, having to go back and reread a lot, but in second half, so much historical information. If u want to know about how it worked in the 60’s and 70’s and how that segment of society made it into the 90’s, this is a great book. I was forever looking up names to see if they were “real” or not. Would love a sequel

[Gary George]

This is an amazing piece of writing. I was so impressed by the depth of this writer's knowledge. It is rare to find a book about a complicated period like the 60s that is at once a summation of some aspect of that period coupled with some stylistically sophisticated, and for that matter flawless, writing.

[Melanie]

I read this at the same time as I saw, "Lions for Lambs". It's all a conspiracy, man!

[Steve]

Just picked this one up one day at the dollar store because of the quirky title. Turned out to be a pretty good read about the Patty Hearst scandal.