Touch the Face of God: A WW II Novel [Paperback]

Robert Vaughan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2002

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Based on actual accounts, this epic adventure encompasses several interconnected lives caught up in the maelstrom of war in Europe and North Africa and on the U.S. home front. Bomber pilot Mark White struggles to stay alive in England while using letters to woo Emily Hagan, his "Rosie the Riveter" from back home. Mark's best friend in his unit is Chaplain Lee Grant. Having bitterly disappointed his father by becoming a pastor, Lee seeks to do more than just minister to his men: he wants to be an active combatant. As the war rages on, the stories of these characters and many others intertwine with devotion and faith, binding them and the plot together. First novelist Vaughan, a retired military officer, writes in a brisk, straight-to-the-gut style. His engrossing historical will appeal to male readers. Highly recommended for most collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785266275
• ISBN-13: 978-0785266273
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touch the Face of God Offers Riveting Emotion, October 10, 2002

By 

Author/Reviewer Denise Clark (Covina, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Touch the Face of God: A WW II Novel (Paperback)

`Touch the Face of God', takes the reader on a journey through two years of the air war against Germany during World War Two. Focusing mainly on the 605th Heavy Bombardment Group, a handful of bomber pilots are introduced; their hopes and fears as well as those of their loved ones, and the toll such trying times takes on their strength and faith.
Mark White, a top-notch theologian who nevertheless finds it difficult to rely on God is the main lead, accompanied by his close friend, Army Chaplain Lee Grant. Grant, one of a long line of military men, not only tries to minister to the needs of the bomber pilots, but must also endure consistent criticism from his commanding officer and father for his decision to become a chaplain instead of a combat soldier. Mark's sister, Susan, elopes with her Army boyfriend just before he's sent into combat in Italy, while Mark's girlfriend, Emily, is chosen to represent `Rosie Riveter's' in a traveling USO show. Each character is in some way related to the next, down to and including the character of a young Tuskegee airman who ultimately saves Mark's life, expertly interweaving points of view and developing cultural and religious differences between the large cast of characters.
Each well-developed character in this emotional novel is brought to life under Vaughan's skilled pen, exploring the everyday fears of not only combat soldiers, but also those that are left behind to wait and worry. A fast moving plot that carefully balances action, dialog and narrative Touch the Face of God offers a gut-wrenching and emotional read while at the same time offering a detailed though `painless' history lesson.
This riveting novel provides a great read for a wide range audience, spanning young adult to adult, and while geared toward the Christian market will also appeal to readers beyond its market base. Author of dozens of works, Vaughan is not only a military veteran whose experience and research shine through the words of his prose, but he was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his `The Valkyrie Mandate'. Vaughan's ability to create a highly emotional, action-filled account of one of the country's most trying endeavors with such personal perspective and undeniable impact makes Touch the Face of God a must read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different WWII novel - from a current active duty bombardier, May 1, 2006

By 

David C. Leaumont "Dave" (Bossier City, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Touch the Face of God: A WW II Novel (Paperback)

This book is a superb historical fiction in the setting of WWII. The book, while dealing heavily in the American daylight bombing campaigns, is not a typical book about the war. There are a few aspects that make this book unique when comparing it to other WWI books.

This is a book that deals with a few characters and covers all aspects of their lives: families left at home, US soldiers in an armor division, US aviators in a B-17 bomber squadron and US fighter pilots. This also deals with the human aspects of the soldier's relationships with the families back home and in their deployed locations. This is not a hard-core war book, nor is it a mushy romance novel. This book also deals heavily in the spiritual aspects of the members involved.

The writing is superb and gripping. I couldn't put the book down. I relished the spiritual aspects of the book, and there are all types of people involved from chaplains, church members, knowledgeable agnostics and a-spiritual people. One of the main characters, a chaplain in the USAAF, shows the relationship between a chaplain and the bomber crews flying daylight precision bombing missions over Europe. Some of the missions are merely mentioned in a journal-like setting. Others are described in detail. But, the book does not focus only on the aircrews and their plight, but also deals with men under the command of Gen Patton in N. Africa. You get to know the characters, making it more than names when characters succumb to enemy fire.

This is not a book for someone looking for a hard-core wartime historical fiction, because of the softer aspects dealt with in the writing. But, this should not be overlooked because of the real-life air this book sets up.

A superb read and one of the rare fictions I will keep in my library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touch the face of God: A WW II Novel, May 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Touch the Face of God: A WW II Novel (Paperback)

Definately one of Robert Vaughan best! I loved this book and so will you. An entertaining blend of history, adventure, drama, romance and spirituality. Vaughan gets you inside the minds and hearts of his characters. You will feel like you are with these young airmen on their flying missions in Europe during WWII. A page turner that you wont want to put down right up to the magical ending. You will want to share it with others.