“Non-Semper Fidelis” is a relatively short novel (print length 144 pages) about stateside life in the Marine Corps in 1968. Set against the backdrop of the Viet Nam war and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it examines issues of esprit de corps, military justice, and racism.

Jack Kendrick is an officer candidate who, for various reasons, doesn’t make the grade and must finish his enlistment as corporal/clerk in the office of a captain where he experiences a variety of disciplinary problems, including one of his own.

I found it somewhat reminiscent of some of the works of James Jones (“From Here to Eternity”) and those who enjoy his novels may well find something to enjoy here. I thought the writing was pretty good, even literary in places with some passages written in such a way as to reflect the kind of orderliness and precision inherent in military life.

But, all in all, I found the novel somewhat thin and the plotting somewhat disjointed. While the characters are likable, even admirable, we aren’t told a whole about them or their backgrounds. And it’s not exactly clear what they want or what’s at stake or risk for them. There are scenes that portray racism (and be warned, there is racist language and behavior) and Viet Nam and the peace movement are in the background, but we don’t really see how the characters are emotionally affected by them. In other words, I thought this a novel that needed more “fleshing out.”

My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for providing me with an electronic copy in exchange for an honest, independent review