Customer Reviews

Touch the Face of God: A WW II Novel

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

`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.

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.

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.

This is a very good story, quite touching, and what a beautiful cover! It really depicts the times. I like books such as these. Flags Of Our Fathers is another favorite! I am a regular WWII buff when it comes to things like this!

The opening train sequence captures your imagination and then you just cannot let go! Highly recommended!

Robert Vaughan's new inspirational novel of World War II aviators touched my heart in very special ways. I am of the generation known as the "Baby Boomers," that is, not the "greatest" generation. But I value good history and good historical fiction, especially when there is a strong spiritual message in such writing. Certainly, Touch the Face of God qualifies on all counts. It is exciting adventure, wonderful human interest, sad and uplifting, and it presents a picture of a time now seemingly long past -- but a time that has shaped our own in so many ways. Like some of the other reviewers, I have followed Robert Vaughan's writing career (especially the American Chronicles, published several years ago), and I think that he is getting better and better as a writer and storyteller. I eagerly look forward to his next work of fiction from Thomas Nelson.

One reviewer called this book "gut-wrenching"; only if this is the very first book you have read on WWII. I found it overly sweet, overtly Christian and very predictable. All the characters are "salt of the earth" types. It seems nearly everyone is a Christian, even the main character who has a tough time yielding to God went to a Christian college and wrote one of the best Christian books of all time. Racism is brought in, but that is even sugar coated. There is no grit, no grime, none of the horror and terror of war. The characters talk about their fear, but there is nothing in the narative that makes you feel it. This book is really written for middle-schoolers. It's a love story staged in WWII England.

Like the other reviewers I would highly recommend this book. I do not remember how I got a copy of it, and frankly was not sure it would be worth reading since I feared an overly pious book with under whelming plot. I was wrong in both counts. If you are familiar with World War II history, then you should have no problem following the plot. However if you are looking for blood spurts and four letter words being used, this is NOT the book for you.
My only objections to the book were the fact the author attributed certain actions to fictional characters that actually happened to real people, but then unexplainably included those same real people in his novel. Also he seemed to spend some time on a couple of characters thru the novel, but then near the end they just disappeared from the narrative but with no explanation as to why.
These two quibbles aside, it is definitely worth reading.

There should be another star awarded for books that are exceptional, and Touch The Face of God would qualify as one of those books. It is the best story of the greatest generation that I have ever read.
My grandfather was a mechanic on B-24s during WWII. He used to explain how it felt to "sweat out the missions" from the base. Now I know what he was talking about. In this book, you not only sweat out the missions with the ground crews, you experience the rubbery taste of oxygen when you are flying at 30,000 feet over Germany. You exchange letters with your loved ones at home, and you listen to the latest Glen Miller or Jimmy Dorsey record.
This book is mandatory reading for anyone who would understand what our parents and grandparents went through. Vividly written, it is dramatic without being vulgar, inspirational without prosletyizing, and powerful beyond description. Mr. Vaughan is a wonderful story teller, on par with the best of our time.

TOUCH THE FACE OF GOD is the best book on WW2 I have read since Herman Woulk's The Winds Of War and War And Rememberence. TOUCH THE FACE OFF GOD is about the 605th bomber group stationed in Englad and one plane, Gideon's Sword, in particular. I especially liked how Robert ended a chapter with Mark's last mission and began the next chapter with that very same mission in detail. If you need to reestablish faith in mankind, then TOUCH THE FACE OF GOD is the book for you.

I really enjoyed this book. A bit of everything:
heart-thumping action, fear, friendship, loyalty, faith.
The main characters are totally believable and the story backdrop realistic.
If you enjoy historical fiction mixed with Christian principles, of determination, of overcoming fears of all sorts, and a new hope in the midst of so much loss, I highly recommend this book!