We learn to love Ray, admire his ability to look beyond his own plight to salvage the lives of his friends in a long road of despair. All this Bruce Cerew does with a writing style that is propulsive, rich in atmosphere, filled with energy, and always with an eye to the development of a story. It may be his memoir, but it is also a very fine novel that deserves a wide audience - from those who love thrilling historical novels to those who appreciate biographies of 'survive and conquer' heroes. Grady Harp