The Engineer

About the Book

John Testor is an ordinary and hard working, but somewhat naive young man who dreams of doing nothing more than to inherit his family´s third generation dairy farm and wed his sweetheart whom he has known most of his life. Having never traveled far from his Michigan home he is thrown into the harsh reality and strict discipline of military life.

John is a loyal American with character and integrity. He has a strong sense of family values and a patriotic nature. Having grown up in a rural setting hearing stories of the great struggles of W.W. II he feels a need to serve his country when he is called to duty.

He enlists in the Army after receiving his draft notice, trusting the recruiter and believing that he will serve in an occupation that will be both useful to him and give his worried mother some peace of mind. When John discovers the true nature of the military occupation that he has enlisted for it´s too late to change. He is locked into a three year enlistment as a Combat Engineer.

The story takes John from the day he receives his draft letter, up to the time that he returns from Viet Nam. He quickly develops and matures as he is placed in extraordinary circumstances through no wish of his own. In a very short period of time he changes from a simple rural farm boy, who is intimidated by a tough look from a San Francisco biker into a hardened combat veteran who is fearless in the face of enemy fire.

Through the harshness and violence of combat duty he somehow manages to hold onto his high moral standard and sense of character. He finds deep down in his soul, a courage and strength that he never knew he had. In spite of the violence and death all around him he maintains his love and compassion for mankind. He is the personification of the courage and strength of the American soldier.

This is a story of patriotism, courage and integrity with a touch of romance.