Kindle Edition Welcome to GeraldGillis.com Amazon.com bn.com Category:  Historical Fiction Publisher: Booklocker.com Type: Fiction Pages: 328 Copyright: March, 2010 ISBN-13: 9781609101312 Price: $4.99 (eBook) The story of a brother and sister in the epochal year 1968.  The year is 1968. The war in Vietnam has been altered by the events of the cataclysmic Tet Offensive. Communist forces have struck at cities and military installations throughout the entirety of South Vietnam, and a particularly vicious battle emerges in the streets and buildings of Hue. Chicago-native Lieutenant Tom Flanagan, U.S. Marine Corps, finds himself in some of the heaviest fighting of the war as he and his fellow Marines battle the enemy in the jungles, streets, and rice paddies of Vietnam. On the U.S. domestic front, the anti-war movement is growing more vocal and influential as large-scale demonstrations and campus disruptions are being routinely seen on the nightly newscasts. President Lyndon Johnson is being challenged from within his own party by anti-war Senators Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy. In Washington, D.C., Tom Flanagan’s sister, Kate, with whom he has persistent differences about the political landscape in general, and the war specifically, decides to join the staff of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy as RFK’s campaign for the presidency begins to formulate. Shall Never See So Much is a novel of heroism and triumph. It is the story of a brother and sister who are passionate in their beliefs, courageous in their conduct, and determined each in their own way to find their place in the changing America of their time. Excerpt Flanagan was up and out of his room by nine, had a breakfast of ham and eggs in the hotel restaurant, and afterwards walked across the street to a department store. It was cool inside, almost chilly, and there was something about the store's interior that was familiar to him, something that very much reminded him of Chicago’s chic Michigan Avenue stores. Maybe it was that particular, almost regulation smell that all the finer retail stores seemed to share; maybe the way the saleslady lightly re-folded the loose garments on a table; maybe the way the floor shined and the bells chimed. It was definitely familiar to him, even though in other ways it felt odd and distant. He bought gifts: A dress shirt and new wallet for his father; a London Fog jacket for Chris; a blouse, silver necklace, and silk scarf for his mother; a gold charm bracelet and a book of poetry for Kate. He thought briefly about sending Jill Rohrbach an early wedding gift, but he quickly dismissed the impulse. He looked at men's suits and still recognized the styles, though the neckties were wider. Some of the more popular colognes were new to him, and he sprayed the mist of several into his hand and one in particular across his face. He liked a couple, but most he dismissed outright with an unflattering "French Whore" designation. He looked at golf clubs in the sporting goods area, and there were even a few baseball gloves on display. In Australia even, he thought with American pride. When he picked up a fielder's mitt, a nice Rawlings Ron Santo model, he tried it on and relished the splendid fit and the familiar leathery odor. He was immediately taken back to his childhood, to Little League games and trips to Wrigley Field with his father; to his days at Northwestern where he had started three years on the baseball team and went on to play an All Big Ten-caliber third base; to the fun and camaraderie and tradition that he associated with the grand ole game. He could almost smell the beer and the hot dogs, the freshly cut grass, hear the sound of the vendors calling out to the crowd, and he could think of no amount of money that he wouldn't have given on the spot to be back once again at Wrigley, with his dad, underneath the blue Chicago sky, the wind blowing in hard off the lake, kicking back and acting like a kid again in the presence of thousands of others doing exactly the same thing. He put down the glove and left. Thoughts of American baseball while in an Australian department store while on leave from Vietnam were beginning to cause his mental circuit-breakers to trip. And tripping of any sort, he solemnly vowed, had absolutely no place on this excursion. Flanagan had a large shopping bag full of packages and was making his way toward the store's exit when he noticed an attractive young saleslady behind the perfume counter. She glanced up as he was walking by, and he quickly noticed from her name tag that her name was Pamela. "You seem to have been everywhere in the store but here," she said with a lovely smile and a soft, endearing Aussie accent. "Surely you might consider finishing your shopping with a gift of perfume for her." Flanagan stopped and smiled in return. "Surely. How utterly stupid of me." "Ah, a Yank. What brings you to Australia?" He moved closer and rested his shopping bag on the floor beside him. She was in her early twenties, of medium height and slender build. Her light-brown hair was cut in bangs, accentuating her round cheekbones and soft dimples. Her blue eyes were bright and alive, large without being obtrusive, alternately coquettish and fixed, at once a striking, compelling, arresting attribute. Her painted lips were full, framing her lovely smile. And when she did smile, her entire face seemed to transform its individual features into what Flanagan judged to be a virtual work of grandeur. “I’m sorry,” he said sheepishly. “What was the question?” She giggled. “What brings you to Australia?” "I'm taking a little time off from my regular job," he said with a slight grin. "Yeah? Regular, as in U.S. military?" "Yep, that’s it." "Vietnam?" she asked with a slight turn of her head. "Afraid so, yeah," Flanagan said. Her eyebrows arched. "In that case, Yank, welcome to civilization." Flanagan laughed. "Thanks. And my name's Tom. Tom Flanagan." "Nice to meet ya', Tom Flanagan. I'm Pamela Whitestone." Flanagan extended his hand and Pamela gently took it. Hers was without question the softest hand, the prettiest face, the finest, most sensuous female package he'd laid his eyes on—or his hand, or anything else for that matter—in more months than he cared to remember. "Speaking of perfume . . .” he said, grinning. "Yes, Tom. What would you like me to show you?" He grinned boyishly. "All of 'em. I want you to show me every single item you've got back there. And if you have any others anyplace else in the building, I'd like to see those, too," he said, glancing at his watch. "And I have no other place to be, so there’s no need to feel rushed." Pamela laughed out loud. "That's very cute. Very well done, it was. But seriously, where would you like me to start?" Flanagan shrugged. "So what's your favorite, Miss Whitestone? It is Miss Whitestone, isn't it?" "It is, yes. And I prefer Shalimar, actually. Shall we begin with it?" "Yes, Shalimar. Perfect." Pamela showed Flanagan two additional selections before he brought the matter to a close by purchasing the Shalimar. "Lovely choice," Pamela complimented. "Will there be anything else for you today, Tom?" He took a deep breath. "I suppose not."

Gillis brings the era back to life
"Shall Never See So Much" is the story of siblings a world apart. The siblings were estranged. Their lives were very different, as was their political philosophies. The setting is 1968. The US was at war in Vietnam. The times were turbulent.

First Lieutenant Tom Flanagan was a 24 year old Marine, serving in the dark, sweltering jungles of Vietnam.
Kate Flanagan was on the staff of Robert F. Kennedy, as he makes a bid for the office of President.

Gerald Gillis draws readers into the lives of the siblings. While both are different, I came to care for each of them. He transports readers back in time. I remember watching the riots on TV, hearing the death tolls. I remember the draft lottery and the fear in the eyes of those drafted. Families were torn apart by the war.

Gillis brings the era back to life. He successfully conveys the atmosphere, the conflicting emotions and the politics. Whether you were part of the era, or not, you will feel as though the events are unfolding before you.
By Readers Favorite

This should be a NY Times bestseller. Wow!
Gillis' writing style is straightforward and highly effective, and his descriptions of battle scenes are especially gripping and powerful. He has no ideological ax to grind over Vietnam, but instead paints a realistic picture of an American family caught in the middle of a time of major turmoil and disarray. The reader can certainly feel the heart-pounding tension when Lt. Flanagan and his fellow Marines are under fire. Gillis' imaginative use of historical figures such as Robert Kennedy adds context and illumination to the story, while at the same time providing a glimpse into what was clearly an extraordinary time. Each of the two main characters has a love interest in the background, yet not so dominant as to become intrusive.

This is a terrific read for someone who has an interest in history, and especially the period of the late-Sixties. While the book deals with the war in Vietnam, it is not merely a war novel. Gillis blends the political portion nicely to give the story an excellent balance. In the end, it is a story that will be remembered. Gerald Gillis is a writer of exceptional promise, and this is a book well worth the price

A powerful and well written novel
This is an incredibly well written account of the Vietnam War and the dynamic times of the late 1960's. Although this is primarily a book about marines in action, Mr. Gillis masterfully weaves on-field action with the turbulent times back in the US. He accomplishes this by contrasting the lives of brother and sister (Tom and Kate) who have opposing views on the war, but share a love of family, country and each other. His description of the military action is first rate, but I also enjoyed his view of the Robert Kennedy campaign. His historically accurate account of the Kennedy assassination was powerful and brought back memories of that tragic day. The ending is both emotional and appropriate for depicting the impact the Vietnam War had on many individuals and families. I strongly recommend "Shall never see so much" for anyone who likes military action, but who also wants to re-live the trying times of the late 1960's.