The War Within

About the Book

THE WAR WITHIN is a story wrought of the turmoil and joy of the fabulous sixties. It is peopled with protesters, Vietnam vets, hippies, ivory tower professors, and a board of trustees terrified of students chanting “Student Power.” The novel has a haunting and wise texture as it probes the fantastic past with lessons implicit for the new millennium.

Danny, a man in his early twenties, returns from the war in Vietnam with a different perspective than before he went away. He himself has changed and so has his view of his parents’ hang-ups, especially their prejudices.

Danny meets an entrancing black girl, Ardis, on the campus of the university he attends, and the two fall in love. He faces hostility to their love by his parents, and she must deal with opposition to their relationship by her militant brothers.

Danny leads opposition to the university when the trustees shut off free speech in an attempt to put down dissent to the Vietnam War. The conflict escalates until the National Guard is called to stop the protest. When the Guard fires on the students, Ardis is shot and killed.

Danny is devastated by Ardis’s death and shuts himself off from life. A blind professor with whom he identifies, brings him back into the world in a powerful conclusion.

If you like a book that tells it the way it was, no punches pulled, this one is for you.

About the Author

Wilbur Washburn was born and raised in California. He attended the University of California, where he earned A.A., A.B., M.A. and Ed.D. degrees. He devoted many years to teaching, and is now retired. He has a published novel, DAYS IN THE SUN, which has become a pop culture favorite.