As Good As Can Be by William A. Glass
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GENRE: Coming of Age/Historical Fiction
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BLURB: Dave Knight is a wayward child growing up in a military family during the 1950s. His older sister wants to kill him but settles for regularly beating him up. Other siblings join in the mayhem while their alcoholic father contributes to the chaos with his unique approach to parenting. As the Knight family moves from one army base to the next, Dave develops a give-a-damn attitude that often leads to trouble. In high school, he joins other delinquents in a series of escapades, some dangerous, others funny, and a few that would be worthy of jail time should they ever be caught. After barely graduating, Dave is drafted into the army and sent to guard a nuclear weapons depot in Korea. There, he gets into trouble with his sergeant and tries to avoid dishonorable discharge.
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Excerpt: Upstairs all is pandemonium. Dan is furiously pounding on the bathroom door while inside Marie stares into the mirror applying eyeliner. She’s in the seventh grade now and has discovered that boys aren’t just for beating up. Meanwhile, Dave’s in the basement ironing a shirt. He gives it a couple finishing touches then slips it on while running up the stairs. “Have you seen my book bag?” Melissa asks. “Isn’t that it next to the door?” Dave replies. The bus pulls up in front of the house, and Melissa grabs the book bag. Knight hands her a bacon-and-egg sandwich as she goes out. “Tell the driver to wait,” he asks. Then one by one the other Knight children rush out while the driver insistently honks his horn. Finally, Marie comes downstairs, gets her sandwich, and strolls down the front walk, arms full of accoutrements. As she climbs aboard, the enlisted men’s dependents in back sarcastically applaud. Marie ignores them, and once seated she uses a can of hairspray to laminate her teased tresses. She pays no heed to mounting protests from others on the bus who object to being gassed this early in the morning.
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From The Author:
As Good As Can Be
A Novel by William A. Glass
When we first meet the Knight family, it’s 1952 and they’re living the good life in a suburb of Tehran. The mansion they occupy comes complete with servants, swimming pool, and a stunning view of the Alborz Mountains. Lt. Colonel Knight, a US Army Signal Corps officer, is charged with intercepting Russian military radio traffic. His wife Bobbie is recuperating from her fourth trip to the delivery room. Whenever Knight’s asked why they had so many kids, his stock reply is, “Too many cocktail parties.” He’s an alcoholic.
Aside from trying to figure out where his next drink is coming from, Knight worries about his son, Dave. The boy is only five years old but already appears backward. Knight’s losing hope of ever getting him into West Point.
Knight’s oldest child, Melissa, is everything Dave isn’t. She’s a bright student who obeys her teacher and colors within the lines. Melissa hates Dave and wants to kill him.
Just as we get comfortable with the direction this family saga is heading, the Knights move. For those who grew up in the military or ever served, this development will come as no surprise.
As the Knights move from one army base to the next, the story comes to focus on Dave. He’s thought to be slow-witted and is bullied by one and all. Early on, Dave learns to read and escapes into a world of books. Over time, he develops a give-a-damn attitude and an ironic sense of humor.
In high school, Dave becomes the class clown and is accepted by other delinquents. He joins them in a series of escapades, some dangerous, others funny, and a few that would be worthy of jail time should they ever be caught.
After barely graduating, Dave finds a job in the suburb of Washington, DC where the Knights currently reside. The mid-sixties are a great time to be young and Dave takes full advantage. But the good times are cut short by a letter from the county draft board.
The army sends Dave to guard a nuclear weapons depot in Korea. It’s a poorly run unit headed by an officer who spends most of his time with a donut dolly. The sergeants are more interested in shacking up with local business girls than securing the nukes. Still, Dave’s rebelliousness goes too far even in this slack outfit. He runs afoul of his platoon sergeant and now must try to avoid dishonorable discharge.
William A. Glass grew up in an army family. His earliest memories are of attending school in the basement of the US embassy in Tehran. In this 1952 photo, Bill is second from right standing in front of several Iranian nursemaids. His brother and two sisters are also in the picture.
Bill attended 18 schools between kindergarten and 12th grade. After high school, he worked, then was drafted into the army. Later, he settled into a business career rising to the position of VP at Gallup. Along the way, Bill earned a BSBA from the University of Maryland.
Today Bill and his wife, Bettina, live in rural South Carolina. He coaches soccer at a small college while she teaches high school German. Their three sons, Alex, Robert, and Gordon have all graduated from college and moved away to pursue careers. Now Bill and Bettina enjoy long walks with their dog, Scout. When the weather permits, Bill commutes to work on two wheels.
AUTHOR Bio and Links: Bill is a retired business executive now living in South Carolina with his wife, Bettina. She teaches high school German while Bill coaches soccer at a small college. Their three sons, Alex, Robert, and Gordon, have all graduated from college and moved away to pursue careers. For recreation, Bettina and Bill enjoy hiking and camping out. Usually, they take their dog, Scout, along. When the weather permits, Bill commutes to work on his motorcycle.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20170818.William_A_Glass
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/As-Good-Can-Be-ebook/dp/B086MB11FZ/
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William A. Glass will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. a Rafflecopter giveaway
