Touch the Face of God: A WW II Novel

Rating:
Summary: Touch the Face of God Offers Riveting Emotion
Review: 'Touch the Face of God', takes the reader on a journey through two years of the air war against Germany during World War Two. Focusing mainly on the 605th Heavy Bombardment Group, a handful of bomber pilots are introduced; their hopes and fears as well as those of their loved ones, and the toll such trying times takes on their strength and faith.
Mark White, a top-notch theologian who nevertheless finds it difficult to rely on God is the main lead, accompanied by his close friend, Army Chaplain Lee Grant. Grant, one of a long line of military men, not only tries to minister to the needs of the bomber pilots, but must also endure consistent criticism from his commanding officer and father for his decision to become a chaplain instead of a combat soldier. Mark's sister, Susan, elopes with her Army boyfriend just before he's sent into combat in Italy, while Mark's girlfriend, Emily, is chosen to represent 'Rosie Riveter's' in a traveling USO show. Each character is in some way related to the next, down to and including the character of a young Tuskegee airman who ultimately saves Mark's life, expertly interweaving points of view and developing cultural and religious differences between the large cast of characters.
Each well-developed character in this emotional novel is brought to life under Vaughan's skilled pen, exploring the everyday fears of not only combat soldiers, but also those that are left behind to wait and worry. A fast moving plot that carefully balances action, dialog and narrative Touch the Face of God offers a gut-wrenching and emotional read while at the same time offering a detailed though 'painless' history lesson.
This riveting novel provides a great read for a wide range audience, spanning young adult to adult, and while geared toward the Christian market will also appeal to readers beyond its market base. Author of dozens of works, Vaughan is not only a military veteran whose experience and research shine through the words of his prose, but he was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his 'The Valkyrie Mandate'. Vaughan's ability to create a highly emotional, action-filled account of one of the country's most trying endeavors with such personal perspective and undeniable impact makes Touch the Face of God a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Touch the face of God: A WW II Novel
Review: Definately one of Robert Vaughan best! I loved this book and so will you. An entertaining blend of history, adventure, drama, romance and spirituality. Vaughan gets you inside the minds and hearts of his characters. You will feel like you are with these young airmen on their flying missions in Europe during WWII. A page turner that you wont want to put down right up to the magical ending. You will want to share it with others.

Rating:
Summary: A great American novel
Review: Robert Vaughan's new inspirational novel of World War II aviators touched my heart in very special ways. I am of the generation known as the "Baby Boomers," that is, not the "greatest" generation. But I value good history and good historical fiction, especially when there is a strong spiritual message in such writing. Certainly, Touch the Face of God qualifies on all counts. It is exciting adventure, wonderful human interest, sad and uplifting, and it presents a picture of a time now seemingly long past -- but a time that has shaped our own in so many ways. Like some of the other reviewers, I have followed Robert Vaughan's writing career (especially the American Chronicles, published several years ago), and I think that he is getting better and better as a writer and storyteller. I eagerly look forward to his next work of fiction from Thomas Nelson.

Rating:
Summary: A great American novel
Review: The day after Robert Vaughn autographed the book for me I started to read it. For the life of me, I couldn't put it down. When Vaughn wrote "Touch the Face of God,"it touched my inner being. I felt like I was there and could smell the inside of the old B-17's. As you may or not know the odors are a combination of oil, hydraulic fluid and zinc chromate. The way he approaches a tale with exciting explanatons that are not burdened with the complexity of explaining how a "widget" works are outstanding. I stepped out side in the middle of tropcal storm Isidore and I thought heard the blatent whine of B-17 engines. I put the book down and thought about the story line of the book. The description of the English country side is skillfully woven in with the story of the combat arena

I had to re-read some of the book so I wouldn't miss the nuances of the story line. The thing that hit home was the reference to Marks epiphany. I was placed into a combat situation which required life or death decisions in Vietnam involving a crash survival situation. At the moment of truth, I asked for help and was shone the way without injury. A fellow Airman chose the wrong path and was later listed as MIA. Vaughns description of the enlightment of the main character brought back memories that had been dormant for over 30 years. The light started to shine back in my soul again.

It is most refreshing to read a book that doesn't have profanity or references to explicit sexual siuations. Everyone knows what is between the lines. He skillfully wove in the romantic interludes and relationships so the reader had no doubt of the outcome.

After re-reading the book again I had to collect my thoughts about the way I felt about the calm and serenity that occupied my inner thoughts so many years ago.

This kind of powerful book sends a clear message to all the readers about how life really works at the gut war level. He describes the fear of combat. I can relate to that fear with a simple comparison. You are in a car wreck. The wheels are locked and you are slided toward a collsion. Those few seconds before you hit seems like an eternity. The adrenelin rises in your mouth and the accident never seems to happen. That is the way all combat feels. Vaughn brought this to the attenion of all readers in the hopes that someone , not in combat, could understand the way it feels.

I heartly recommend reading this book for all walks of life. Each peson will get a little something different from the words and the true meaning of the story and be a better person for reading it. Lee Parmeter, Biloxi, Ms

Rating:
Summary: Five Stars Isn't Enough
Review: There should be another star awarded for books that are exceptional, and Touch The Face of God would qualify as one of those books. It is the best story of the greatest generation that I have ever read.
My grandfather was a mechanic on B-24s during WWII. He used to explain how it felt to "sweat out the missions" from the base. Now I know what he was talking about. In this book, you not only sweat out the missions with the ground crews, you experience the rubbery taste of oxygen when you are flying at 30,000 feet over Germany. You exchange letters with your loved ones at home, and you listen to the latest Glen Miller or Jimmy Dorsey record.
This book is mandatory reading for anyone who would understand what our parents and grandparents went through. Vividly written, it is dramatic without being vulgar, inspirational without prosletyizing, and powerful beyond description. Mr. Vaughan is a wonderful story teller, on par with the best of our time.

Rating:
Summary: Touch The Face of God
Review: This is an outstanding book, written by a very talented author Robert Vaughn. I met Robert, his wife Ruth, and their Jack Russell Terrier Charlie while vacationing at the beach at Fort Morgan, AL. I went to their home and we talked for about an hour of Robert's travels, military experiences and all the places that they have lived. He was very familiar with my home state (Mississippi) and the city where I live (Jackson). Since reading Touch The Face of God, I have read several other books by Robert, every one being just as good as the first. I read Yesterday's Reville, an outstanding book about early america and wars with the indians. I am currently reading Legacy, a book about one of Robert's early ancestors, Richard Prouty, who came over to thge new world from England. I highly recommend all three of these and I am continiously seeking more book written by him. He is truely a gifted writer.

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL INSPIRATIONAL BOOK-A MUST READ
Review: TOUCH THE FACE OF GOD is the best book on WW2 I have read since Herman Woulk's The Winds Of War and War And Rememberence. TOUCH THE FACE OFF GOD is about the 605th bomber group stationed in Englad and one plane, Gideon's Sword, in particular. I especially liked how Robert ended a chapter with Mark's last mission and began the next chapter with that very same mission in detail. If you need to reestablish faith in mankind, then TOUCH THE FACE OF GOD is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Touch the face of God: A WW II Novel
Review: `Touch the Face of God', takes the reader on a journey through two years of the air war against Germany during World War Two. Focusing mainly on the 605th Heavy Bombardment Group, a handful of bomber pilots are introduced; their hopes and fears as well as those of their loved ones, and the toll such trying times takes on their strength and faith.
Mark White, a top-notch theologian who nevertheless finds it difficult to rely on God is the main lead, accompanied by his close friend, Army Chaplain Lee Grant. Grant, one of a long line of military men, not only tries to minister to the needs of the bomber pilots, but must also endure consistent criticism from his commanding officer and father for his decision to become a chaplain instead of a combat soldier. Mark's sister, Susan, elopes with her Army boyfriend just before he's sent into combat in Italy, while Mark's girlfriend, Emily, is chosen to represent `Rosie Riveter's' in a traveling USO show. Each character is in some way related to the next, down to and including the character of a young Tuskegee airman who ultimately saves Mark's life, expertly interweaving points of view and developing cultural and religious differences between the large cast of characters.
Each well-developed character in this emotional novel is brought to life under Vaughan's skilled pen, exploring the everyday fears of not only combat soldiers, but also those that are left behind to wait and worry. A fast moving plot that carefully balances action, dialog and narrative Touch the Face of God offers a gut-wrenching and emotional read while at the same time offering a detailed though `painless' history lesson.
This riveting novel provides a great read for a wide range audience, spanning young adult to adult, and while geared toward the Christian market will also appeal to readers beyond its market base. Author of dozens of works, Vaughan is not only a military veteran whose experience and research shine through the words of his prose, but he was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his `The Valkyrie Mandate'. Vaughan's ability to create a highly emotional, action-filled account of one of the country's most trying endeavors with such personal perspective and undeniable impact makes Touch the Face of God a must read.