Skip Vogel's "Constant Bearing - Decreasing Range" is a compelling character-driven story of intrigue, tragedy, honor, humor, and romance within the U.S. Navy as it was undermined by the questionable efforts of politicians and social engineers as they attempted to integrate low aptitude personnel and criminals into our naval forces, and the unfortunate consequences that resulted from these policies.
A TALE OF NAVAL INTRIGUE, HUMOR, ADVENTURE, AND ROMANCE.
This book, authored by a veteran and distinguished naval officer, points out the unintended consequences of misguided social experiments more poignantly and effectively than could endless policy papers or hours of Congressional testimony.
At the same time, it offers an unforgettable story of true heroism in the persons of Captain Yorel, YN3 Lain Byrd, and Seaman Apprentice Sam Ellis, among others.
These men, though starkly different, share a dedication to the Country and their duty. "Constant Bearing-Decreasing Range" is not just a captivating novel based on actual people and events, but is a much needed wake-up call to government officials and their academic brothers whose record in international policy demonstrates that there is something yet to be learned from past mistakes.
Excerpt
The stars that flashed before Sam's eyes were not from the clear night sky. They were generated in his brain as a result of a blow to the head from an Italian handgun. Blood gushed from the vascular laceration as Sam fell to the ground unconscious. He was not a witness to the remainder of the drama played out on the Italian roadside.
The father and son, working in tandem, quickly removed Sam's wallet from the back pocket of Byrd's former slacks. The same fate was about to befall the watch in his front pocket. Suddenly the night lit up like day. Shots rang out from two 9mm berretta automatics. The bullet-riddled corpses of a little boy and his father fell on Sam's motionless torso and soaked his borrowed clothes in blood.
Professional Reviews
Old Fashioned Storytelling
"This debut novel by Skip Vogel will recommend it to readers of military fiction of the Tom Clancy variety. This quite remarkable novel will have an appeal to anyone interested in good, old-fashioned storytelling. Vogel displays unparralleled skill in handling and developing a diversity of plot elements and characters. Nothing, however small, gets pushed aside by his discerning pen. Vogel's storytelling skills shine particularly brightly in his ability to handle character. Very few writers have managed to achieve it; among contemporaries only a John Irving, or a Stephen King, or a Kurt Vonnegut can accomplish such a task." - New York Times best-selling author Ellen Tanner Marsh
Action-packed Read
"Twenty-year Navy veteran Skip Vogel's Constant Bearing is a novel based on true-life remifications of Predident Lyndon Johnson's ill-advised choice to swell the American military's ranks by allowing criminals to join. The book focuses upon the personal story of one high-risk sailor named Sam, as the military strives to shape him into a true soldier without jeapardizing the success of its mission. A captivating action-packed read with insights about the dangers of lowering military recruitment standards too low that are immediately relevant." - Midwest Book Review, Oregon, WI.
Makes You Think
"The aircraft carrier USS UNION is the stage on which Vogel's story plays out. It's the 1970s and several civilian judiciary systems have allowed criminals to serve in the military. Vogel does an excellent job of capturing the leadership challenges involved, and also the frustration of the lead characters and they fight not only a criminal element, but a Navy that is more concerned with political correctness than national defense. Well written and engaging, this book illustrates the conflict that sometimes ensues between public policy and defending this Country." - R. Ballister, Military Writers Society of America and author, "God Does Have a Sense of Humor."
Your book sounds very interesting. I spent 24 years in the USAF and my wife and I both retired as Majors. I wrote a book based on my friend, Lester Lemke, who served aboard in the US Navy on the USS San Francisco during WWII. Today he is a retired Lutheran Minister. We now both serve in Kairos Prison Ministries at Ft Myers, Florida.
Mushroom Cloud, a fact-based historical novel, is the first book of The First Strike Trilogy: USA and the Soviet Union are building nuclear arms for a face off in a potential nuclear war in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Mushroom Cloud, a fact-based historical novel, is the first book of The First Strike Trilogy: USA and the Soviet Union are building nuclear arms for a face off in a potential nuclear war in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
