Pursuit of Paradise

by Thomas Smith

Overview

This is the story of an East Texas farm boy, the war in the Pacific, and love.
The boy left his farm, experienced the unspeakable horrors of war, and returned a man, wanting only to go back to work on the farm. His pursuit of paradise, which had taken him through the dark, steamy, enemy-infested, disease-ridden jungles of the South Pacific and the post-war landscape of Japan, now led him to his dream wife, who, in his absence, had grown from child to woman, and greeted him with open arms and a commitment to share his pursuit forever. Together, they would find Paradise is not a Place, but is a Time. For them, it was the journey they took, the path they walked with each other the rest of their lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780578586663
Publisher:	Thomas N Smith
Publication date:	10/03/2019
Pages:	560
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.25(d)

About the Author

Tom Smith presents the story of his parents in his first historical fiction, Pursuit of Paradise. The novel vividly describes the years before, during, and after World War II.
He was born in Dallas, Texas, and spent considerable time with his parents as a young boy traveling to and from Southern California to visit his grandparents. He learned much about the geography of Texas and the Southwestern United States. He immersed himself in the kinship of the Smith and Hamilton children, his aunts and uncles, and his own cousins, during those trips.
Tom has spent his entire life appreciating the pure, simple mentorship of his parents. A former Marine, postal worker, geologist, environmental scientist, and college instructor, he holds great love and respect for what his parents did and who they were in that tumultuous time in America’s history, between the Great Depression, a horrific war, and industrialization.
He developed his unique style of descriptive storytelling, with his words painting a powerful picture of life in rural Texas while he listened to the tales and recollections of the years before and after World War II. He wrote several small booklets before age ten about adventures and daring deeds.
Mr. Smith currently lives in San Antonio, Texas, and is employed as an environmental scientist as a contractor with the U. S. Army Reserves.
He plans to re-visit the 1940’s of Arkansas in his next book.

Editorial Reviews

The story is so powerful that it took me days to gather all my thoughts. The characters were inspiring and you can tell that the author is a great storyteller. He brilliantly described the unspeakable horrors of war and its effects on the people throughout. The book brings back memories from decades ago which makes a reader reminisce over those days. For me, I find the book to be memorable and classic in writing. Kudos to the author for this remarkable book!

Kasj45@LunicA - Matchstick Literary

"...the book succeeds in its detailed evocation of Red's transformation from a young farm boy to a seasoned soldier fighting in ferocious jungle battles in the South Pacific, tried by combat and buoyed by the strong bonds of friendship with a small band of fellow soldiers. A well-researched tribute and a memorable addition to World War II literature."

Kirkus Reviews - Kirkus Reviews Kirkus

"It was a very enjoyable and informative read. If you want to
know more about this period, what the individuals during
this time had to endure both on the war front and at home,
this is a MUST read book."

Brimingstone Writer Services - Lemuel Sapian