Wild Blue Yonder: A Novel of the 1960s
Jack B. Rochester
Read by Jack B. Rochester
Wild Blue Yonder is the coming-of-age story of Nathaniel Hawthorne Flowers, a smart but sheltered boy from suburban Chicago whose beloved father suddenly dies, resulting in his flunking out of college. Nate receives a draft notice from the Army but after some “encouragement” from his mother, decides to enlist in the Air Force instead. It is 1965. Nate is 20 years old. Airman Flowers goes not to Vietnam but Germany, straight into a military Catch-22. His assignment: writing stories as a reporter for the Stars and Stripes newspaper which will never see print. Nate's adventure deepens as he and his fellow troops try to understand why they're there, the military mindset, and the massive social turbulence of 1960s America. Existential, psychedelic, funny, and laced with rock 'n' roll, Wild Blue Yonder is the story of Nate's quest for personal and spiritual values while discovering the meaning of family, friendship, and the love of the girl he left behind.
"I could not put this novel down, and I did not want the journey to end. This is a well-written, engaging, very funny, thoughtful and bold first novel for this author.” - Rita Peterson
“A coming-of-age story set in the 1960's, Wild Blue Yonder offers what finding yourself really means set against the turmoil of a time, place, and culture so different and similar to today. I heartily recommend this book!” - Casie
“Overall, a great read, highly recommended.” - Michael Fedison
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Chapters
| Me or Them | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Fall In | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Hurricane | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Goin’ to California | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Haight Ashbury | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Memphis Blues Again, Part I | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Memphis Blues Again, Part II | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| The Summer of Love | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| First Sergeant Buford | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Stars and Stripes Forever | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Der Alten Scheune | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Sedition | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Zeitgeist | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| The Pieces Fit | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| A Writer’s Life | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Change of Command | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Liederhalle | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Children of the Future | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Socrates Island, Part I | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Socrates Island, Part II | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Time Has Come Today | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Oktoberfest | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| Touch and Go | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| FIGMO | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| The December of My Dreams | Read by Jack B. Rochester | |
| No Place Like Home | Read by Jack B. Rochester |
Reviews
By: Jack Rochester
Keith, thank you so much for the kind comments. I'm happy you enjoyed "Wild Blue Yonder." There is a sequel entitled "Madrone" which is available on Amazon as both a paperback and a Kindle, and my team is at work on the podcast version. You can listen to weekly chapter ...
Bravo from Borneo
Lord Jim
Bravo! Bravo! Absolutely loved this novel and feel very fortunate to have come across it quite accidentally. The narrator (I believe I heard Len Mayo) was one of the best I've heard; his reading was sublime. This novel has the feel of a Nick Hornby story. The author cleverly tells the tale of a group of young men desperately searching for not only the meaning of life, but also a framework, whether philosophical, spiritual, musical or steeped in literature, by which to secure answers to the big question. The brilliance of this book is that this is accomplished in a light hearted, punchy and very excessible way and I feel I developed an intimate connection with the characters. Now, on to the sequel!
By: Keith Sergeant
Really enjoyed this book, I was only a child (born 1957) in the 1960's so it was fascinating to hear about the things that went on during this period from a very different perspective. The reading of the book, and audio quality is excellent. I look forward to hearing more ...
Awesome
Julee
The author really captures the '60. The turmoil of Vietnam, summer of love and the music. Well worth the read.
hm
BBH
The reader is excellent, and does the story more than justice. The plot is good. The story, however, fails in its period accuracy to such an extent that it causes the story to be too painful to finish.
Miki Clements-Collier
veryy well read but a really boring book Should have lightened up on the tripping.