Story of the Sand [Paperback]

Mark Pickering (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2007

After spending months fighting in the sands of Iraq, Sampson Roy has returned to his home in Georgia a changed man. Gone is the patriotic optimist who went off to serve his country, and in his stead is a bitter, resentful pessimist.

Sampson is unable to cope with society, and the government could care less about his problems. His psychological damage from what he witnessed in the Middle East has ruined his marriage and left him a pariah to those he formerly loved. He retreats to the woods, drowning his demons in a bottle of liquor. But in the midst of his suffering, a ghost appears named David Tree, a dead soldier from the Iraqi conflict who has been unable to pass to the other side. David brings unexpected news: Sampson’s wife is pregnant.

With a new burst of hope, Sampson cautiously leaves the woods. But his alcoholism and self-destructive nature brand him an outcast, and his wife refuses to reconcile. Deep in his heart, Sampson wants to raise his newborn child and return to the life he once had. Finding the courage to conquer his addiction may be too much, yet he has to try—even if it ultimately destroys him. Haunting and powerful, Story of the Sand is a searing portrait of war’s destruction of the individual soldier.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark B. Pickering was born in Colorado, grew up in South Florida, and now lives in Atlanta with his dog, Munich.

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (December 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595472052
• ISBN-13: 978-0595472055
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,914,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Story of the Sand Review, February 28, 2008

By 

K. Fagan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story of the Sand (Paperback)

The Story of the Sand is, at its heart, a novel with a wonderfully intertwining story of finding the courage to face our demons, whatever they may be. The book skillfully walks the line of being thought provoking while remaining and entertaining read. (I found myself disappointed that my hour-long train ride (and hence my time in Sampson's world) was coming to an end: which, trust me, does not happen very often!)

As a supporter of our servicemen but not of our war, this book caused me to reevaluate the way I define my support to those who have sacrificed it all. I may never be able to sympathize with Sampson or my own friends who have been in that sand, but his story has certainly given me a deeper appreciation for all our veterans and reminds me to not pass judgment on those whose pasts I will never truly know or understand.

Above all else, this story has reaffirmed that in a world filled with destruction and self-destruction of many kinds, the greatest gifts we can bear are our love and compassion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking and Insightful, February 20, 2008

By 

R. G. Pickering "ritapick" (Coral Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Story of the Sand (Paperback)

Story of the Sand is an account of the trials of a soldier who has seen combat, including seeing his buddies die. The result is, of course, mental problems, relationship problems, financial problems, etc.

But this isn't your run of the mill story about a soldier returning from war. This story gets into the heart and soul of the soldier and everyone he touches. At first I wasn't all that sympathetic with him, but as I "watched" him deal with life after war, I began to understand him better and to root for his return to an existence which brings him pleasure. It certainly isn't a direct line from war to rehabilitation, and this story has no end, but the process makes this one of those books that you can't put down. One never knows what is going to happen in the next chapter, but you are anxious to find out. And, as you find out, you learn a little more about the issues that such a person, as well as those who love him (or her), has to deal with. There are offensive moments as well as tender ones throughout the story.

One who is a Bush supporter might be slightly turned off with the beginning chapters, which lay the groundwork for the reason the soldier is in this predicament. But once the reader begins to identify with Sampson, then the political aspect falls to the background.

I recommend this book to those who want a better understanding of the results of war on the soldier and to those who want a stimulating and thought-provoking day of reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this story and want to make it into a movie!, May 30, 2008

By 

Steven L. Hill - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story of the Sand (Paperback)

This story is a "must see" as well as a "must read". The way Mark Pickering tells his story is as good as I am saying it is! I don't want to reveal the plot but STORY OF THE SAND will keep you reading and believing. You will not be able to pre-figure what is coming next. Even though the story has an element of fiction you will find yourself thinking "maybe it really is like this". Buy the book, read it and you will be telling your friends about Sampson Roy and what happened to him after his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.