With deep love for my wife Ruth Ann
and children Tina, Richard, Ali and Chris
—whose lives were yet to bless mine
when I wrote this book.
This novel (with the virtually Russian title) I wrote after graduating college. Dramatically, I actually lived it, staying in a rented room and trying to emotionally duplicate the draining sensations of not eating, not drinking. The flashbacks are based largely on my war and college days. The manuscript sat in a drawer for 50 years. I trust that the E-Book won't. I think that the novel is pretty effective. Proof positive not to give up too soon.