MWSA Book Review

Just a Little Rain…Baby Boomers & Military Brats Reflect on Childhood, Baseball and War

Author:  Bob Flournoy

Publisher:  Publish America

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

Tales of Baby Boomers growing up and going to War!

Author Bob Flournoy adds the stories of his friends to his own experiences. Between them all, they paint an image about a time and place in American history that is long gone. His wonderful little non-fiction book is called “Just a Little Rain… Baby Boomers & Military Brats Reflect on Childhood, Baseball and War.” It is just like the title says and is composed of reflections by these baby boomers. There are parts of the book that take it to another level such as the chapters on Vietnam. The “tours of duty” of both Bob and Mike King makes for very good but emotional reading.

If you loved the movie “Field of Dreams” and baseball and apple pie, then you will find yourself embracing these stories. There is certainly lots of baseball playing and old remembrances of the 1950’s that will invoke many fond memories for those of us who recall that time our childhood. It is sentimental but not mushy. It will be like recalling your boyhood and how it was for many readers. It is well written by all those who added their little stories to the mixture.

The book is comprised of several different people’s journey through that era and gives us a brief look at some of them in Vietnam. To call it a book about war would be wrong but it is a book about young people; some of whom became warriors. From the innocence of childhood to growing up in a war zone makes for a contrasting and harsh world for these young men. It is an interesting read and a good look back at much simpler times and values. The book captures the essence of that period of life for boomers. It is an enjoyable reading experience.