Touch the Face of God: A WW II Novel

by Robert Vaughan

This inspirational novel explores the drama, sweep, and grandeur of World War II--those who fought it overseas and those who lived through it on the home front--and a time when faith in God was our national security. "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth . . . Put out my hand, and touched the face of God" --John Gillespie Magee, Jr., a WWII airman who died in combat at the age of 19. It has been called "The Last Good War" and those who fought it have been called "The Greatest Generation." They lived every day as if it were their last--loving, laughing, and trusting that God held their future. In this moving novel, Lt. Mark White, a B-17 bomber pilot, meets Emily Hagan only weeks before he ships out to England. They fall in love through letters as each faces the war on separate sides of the Atlantic, but will the war and a misunderstanding tear them apart forever? Lt. Lee Arlington Grant has disappointed his military family by becoming a chaplain instead of a warrior. He hopes his service in the war will heal his rift with his father while he shares Christ with his fellow soldiers-especially Tom Canby. Their lives and the lives of the men and women who fight at their side are interwoven with danger, romance, tragedy, and ultimately hope as the war and their roles in it draw to a close. This powerful story is about a man's love for a woman, the soldiers' love for their country, and the love of God for each of His children. Written by a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, Touch The Face of God brings to life a time and a place that is quickly being forgotten.

Genres: Fiction, World War II, Christian Fiction, Historical

306 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2002

About the author

Robert Vaughan is an American writer. He has also written a series of contemporary and historical romance novels under several pseudonyms including "Paula Moore" and "Paula Fairman". His father served in the military and Robert followed him in the 1950s, entering army aviation. He served until the Vietnam War and won numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with several oak-leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, and several other medals.
His early books reflected his military background: the first novel was about the US Army along the DMZ in Korea, followed by a trilogy set in Vietnam. There are more than 9 million of his books in print under various names. He was inducted into the Writers’ Hall of Fame in 1998.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

1943, WWII, B-17s, and an excellent book, well researched and well written. You feel a part of the book and hate to have it end.

[Rebekah Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything WWII, and this was no exception. The historical information was spot on, and I learned so much about bombing planes, now I'm obsessed with them haha. It has such a sweet story, and it's also incredibly sad in the end *sobs*. Loved it so much!!!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it. Gave me a new perspective about the fighter pilots in WWII. There was just enough personal information about the characters where you really are invested. I loved the fact that it was a story about a man who reconnects with God and it changes his life. I actually had to wonder if it was a true story or not. I really enjoyed this and will totally read it again some day!

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of 2 male authors that I have read and liked. My sister bought me this one and I fell in love with his writing style and the story. This is one that is kept on my shelf. And although it may take awhile I will read this again.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lt. Mark White, a B-17 bomber pilot, meets Emily Hagan only weeks before he ships out to England. They fall in love through letters as each faces the war on separate sides of the Atlantic, but will the war and a misunderstanding tear them apart forever? Lt. Lee Arlington Grant has disappointed his military family by becoming a chaplain instead of a warrior. He hopes his service in the war will heal his rift with his father while he shares Christ with his fellow soldiers.Their lives and the lives of the men and women who fight at their side are interwoven with danger, romance, tragedy, and ultimately hope as the war and their roles in it draw to a close.This powerful story is about a man's love for a woman, the soldiers' love for their country, and the love of God for each of His children.
A bombardment/bomb group was a unit of organizational command and control group of the USAAF during WWII.A bombardment group was normally commanded by a colonel.The table of allowances (TOA) for personnel, aircraft and equipment grew steadily over the course of the war doubling from 35 aircraft in 1941 to 72 in February, 1945.The aircrew end strength reached upwards to two crews per aircraft.U.S. bomb groups were numbered and classified into four types: Very Heavy (VH), Heavy (H), Medium (M), and Light (L). Groups which combined bombers of differing categories into a single administrative organization were designated "Composite" groups. Bomber aircraft were assigned to groups by category:
-Very Heavy: B-29 Superfortress, B-32 Dominator
-Heavy: B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator
-Medium: B-25 Mitchell, B-26 Marauder
-Light: A-20 Havoc, A-26 Invader
In addition to the flying squadrons issued Aircrew Badges, each group contained a group headquarters, a service squadron, and detachments for support of aircraft, equipment, and personnel.The English villages of Alconbury, Molesworth, Bassingbourn, Grafton Underwood, Polebrook, Thurleigh,Great Ashfield,Knettishall,Ridgewell,Thorpe Abbotts,Chelveston,Kimbolton,Bury St Edmunds,Framlingham and Horsham St Faith to name a few,all had former RAF stations that were used by the USAAF as stations for bombing operations.

[Judy Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy almost anything WWII era. This was a good read.

[Debra Kulchar]

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