Alastair Luft's first novel deals with a subject that is often mentioned but never really discussed in terms of what it is to many soldiers involved in combat. The principal character in the book is a professional Canadian soldier who has spent many years in combat deployments serving his country. Hugh Degare is representative of both men and women that have been involved in the horror that is warfare; has killed his country's enemies and suffers the mental anguish known as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or as it has been termed in other times Battle Fatigue or Shell Shock. All attempting to put terminology on the horror that people have to come to grips with when involved in killing other human beings in defense of what their countries indicate they must do.
Major Degare, as his rank is, has been transferred to a headquarters situation and works at a desk doing the necessary administrative work involved in running a military organization. He can go home at night to his wife, Elizabeth, who has suffered through Hugh's combat deployments during their married life and looks forward to just being together.
Unfortunately Hugh's dreams of his years in combat begin to haunt him; he cannot sleep, and begins to lose touch with reality. He is told by his superiors that help is available to him either through the army medical services or with an outside Psychologist. Trying both does not help. The military is slow to respond and the Psychologist loses Hugh's confidence by not coming to grips with the problems. The situation is worsened when a buddy of his who was invalided out of service due to lose of both legs in combat commits suicide due to not being able to face his ghosts.
The novel is very well written: and does delineate the problem. The author makes the case that not enough is done nor known about PTSD. We fail our combat veterans in just turning them lose when they are done with the fighting. Mr Luft makes the argument for a great deal more study and work with the psychological needs of the people that we task with the jobs of armed combat. This is a book that needs to be read by anyone whose country has the need to send human beings into the morass of armed combat. It is truly a great eye opener for the majority of us that have never taken part in war.

Wow. One of the most unique premises for a book I've ever read. Seemed like I couldn't turn the virtual pages fast enough, and I was never completely sure who to trust. Roller-coaster ride all the way, to a satisfying conclusion. If you want to find a way to spend a couple of very satisfying days, read this book. It won't disappoint!