Heroic Hearts

About the Book

This novel is the fulfillment of an idea that I have carefully nurtured for years. The idea was to base a novel on the philosophy and values of Ancient Greece. It is unique in the sense that the values of the main character mirror the philosophy and values of Ancient Athens. It is the third novel that I have written using historical fiction as a background. The first novel, “Aryan, the Last Prussian,” focused on man and society, the second novel, “Over the Rainbow,” focused on man and religion, and “Heroic Hearts” is concerned with man and knowledge. “Heroic Hearts” was the most difficult of the three, and the most challenging. For example, I have attempted, hopefully successfully, to explain various surgical techniques used in war. The novel is held together by philosophy, satire, a strong plot, believable characters, moral conflicts and success. Since I am an historian, and a military historian, I have weaved historical references, historical analogies, and medical history into the novel. The major theme of this novel is the pursuit of knowledge. Minor themes are the power of the senses, and “things are not what they appear.” It is the story of a medical unit’s experiences in Europe during World War II. First, the surgeons are sent to Denver, Colorado, and then to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for military training. Following the military training and after the Normandy landing by the allies, the surgeons become part of Patton’s 3rd Army in August of 1944, and become part of Patton’s bold thrust through France. There are eleven important characters, which presented me with quite a challenge. There are four fledgling surgeons: Steve Powers, Brad Williams, Dennis Stein, and John Stewart. Each surgeon comes from a different background and a different location. Steve is from Long Island, New York, Brad is from Queens, New York, Dennis is from Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York and John is from Boston, Massachusetts. The main character is Steve Powers. He is an even-tempered intellectual, and represents the philosophy and values of Ancient Athens. His father is a professor and teaches Greek History, and his mother teaches literature. Brad Williams is an atheist and appears as if he is cold-hearted. He carries with him the burden of a difficult life. His father perished on the Western Front in World War I, and his mother was forced to work long hours to send him through medical school. Dennis Stein appears as if he lacks self-confidence, and has had a privileged life. His demanding father is a surgeon in a New York City hospital. John Stewart is a man without a history. He was raised in an orphanage, and brings to the story religious values. John’s closest friend is a Nun, Sister Mary. Sister Mary was instrumental in convincing the college and the educators to accept John into medical school. Each surgeon matures during World War II and, honoring the poetic principles of Aristotle, experiences an epiphany. There are four, lovely, battle-hardened nurses who join the four surgeons in France: Loreen, Nancy, Claire and Kira. Loreen originates from Queens, New York, Nancy is from a farm in Nebraska, Claire is from Manhattan, New York, and Kira is from Brooklyn, New York. Another important character is Danny Routi, a tough young man from Little Italy, Manhattan, New York. He represents the brave medics in World War II. He is also Steve’s ambulance driver. The commander of the medical unit is Colonel McCarthy, an experienced physician, who carries the burden of the memories of Omaha Beach. Father Murphy, a privileged priest from Boston, Massachusetts, joins the medical unit in France. At the close of the War, the main characters encounter a Prussian Major, Dietrich. Dietrich is wounded during one of the last battles of World War II, and Steve mends his wound. This story would be incomplete without a discussion concerning the reasons for World War II, and the philosophy of power. At the close of th

About the Author

My first novel, “Aryan, the last Prussian,” focused man and society, the second novel, “Over the Rainbow,” was concerned with man and religion, and this novel, “Heroic Hearts,” focuses on the pursuit of knowledge. I offer my gratitude to Bryant Cramer, M.D., Ph.d, for his guidance, and Ms. Michelle Louie for her contribution to the plot and characterization of this novel.