{"product_id":"a-dog-before-a-soldier-9798890224002","title":"A Dog Before a Soldier","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThose who fight their nation's wars are typically those least able to avoid it.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eA messmate before a shipmate; a shipmate before a stranger; a stranger before a dog; and a dog before a soldier.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe world was, is now and always will be a complicated and volatile place filled with those whose own self-interests supersede more noble aspirations. If history has taught us anything it is that times may change but human nature does not. The competing interests and political tensions of the formation of our country were no more or less dysfunctional than they are today with the best and worst of individual behavior continually on display.Jack Halliday wants nothing more than to belong somewhere that provides him with security and values his worth. In an uncaring world that devours the weak he is forced to rely on his strongest attribute, his ability and willingness to fight, that ironically belies his benevolent nature. Much like the fledgling union of the thirteen original colonies, Jack's rebirth into autonomy constantly teeters on demise in a world where his decisions are all he can control.\"An absolute pleasure to read this book! As an American soldier, the attention to historic details I had never heard before and the hero's conflicted personal history were totally relatable and kept me turning pages.\" -Stephen Suttles, Former Career U.S. Army Officer\"For history buffs who enjoy reading about the American Revolution, this is a must-read! It contains a healthy dose of historical data and a strong, bittersweet personal story of a combatant shown from a totally different perspective on the British side. The characters are well developed, especially the protagonist, Jack Halliday...\" -Armando Martinez, Former Career U.S. Army Warrant Officer\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDeptula, Ray:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Ray Deptula is a native of Wells, Maine, and a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine. He spent 24 years in the U.S. Navy as a helicopter pilot and a political-military office in Europe. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Those Damned Yankees is the first series of books Ray has published, having conceived of it while taking a Revolutionary War elective course at the Naval War College.","brand":"Speaking Volumes LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52160126255378,"sku":"9798890224002","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_643f94b6-0264-4cab-9db6-69dcf0243133.jpg?v=1775037322","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/a-dog-before-a-soldier-9798890224002","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}