LITERACY WALK Author: Joanne Robinson

Not since fictional sagas such as Margaret Mitchell's GONE WITH THE WIND, Boris Leonidovich's DOCTOR ZIVAGO, and John Jakes' NORTH AND SOUTH has a book inspired such passion of both love and historical war.

As a romantic novel prior to and during the USA's involvement in the Vietnam conflict, the book encompasses a historical thread through three segments of history. Those segments are: (1) the USA on the home front and its involvement in the Vietnam Conflict from the late 1950's through 1968, (2) Vietnam's struggle to be an independent nation dating as far back as 432 B.C., and (3) the United States Air Force and its academy.

Through the flashbacks of the book's characters, Robinson reaches into the depth and core of the readers' emotional and spiritual being. In the development of several of its colorful characters, PROMISE TO LIVE introduces to the reader the leading personalities. Blake Olson, a quiet-timid youth, and the radiant, vivacious Charmaine Michaels who meet during the years prior to the USA's involvement in the tiny Asian country.

While in their adolescence, their attachment towards each other flourishes into more than just a friendship. However, when Blake leaves their small community to become an United States Air Force Academy cadet, the two loose contact with each other. As the plot thickens, the couple are reunited by special circumstances. They fall passionately in love. Later, however, they find themselves skillfully manipulated out of their relationship by others who for their own selfish reasons seek to drive the pair apart.

For years, pride keeps Blake Olson and Charmaine Michaels separated; they become like two ships passing in the night. Then, they sail back into the same port of life for a third time. During this period, the bonds of matrimony seal their commitment to each other. Together as an USAF officer and his wife, they walk side-by-side building their life together both facing the high dramatic and serene times. The book also describes just how it was for them as mates on the home front prior to and during the Vietnam conflict era. Then without warning one unforeseen segment of history forever changes the unity of their lives.

While the intriguing plot of PROMISE TO LIVE unfolds, the reader will find many other such mesmerizing personalities and drama. Inclusive are characters like Ly Minh whose childhood story in Vietnam will rip at your soul. Others like that of General Giap will give you a thorough understanding of how he led his people, the Vietnamese, into victory after victory against the Chinese, French and eventually the Americans.

Biography & Memoirs