Smoke on the Water - by Jack Bartley

Book Synopsis

". . . will keep you wanting to turn the next page." -Richard Hess, US Air Force officer (Ret.) and coauthor of Night of the Bear

In 1971, the war in Vietnam still rages. Jason Conley, a recent college graduate, finds himself paying the price for the "free" university education a NROTC scholarship provided and now owes the Navy four years of service. Not wanting to go to war, he devises a scheme to serve on an oceanographic research support vessel in Hawaii, thousands of miles from the battle zone. A brilliant plan, if it works. And it does-at first.

Through a series of events and miscues, some of his own making, Jason is transferred to a new command, a destroyer escort that deploys on a WestPac tour to Vietnam the very day he sets foot aboard. How will he reconcile his feelings about the Vietnam War while at the same time directing a destroyer escort on the gunline supporting US and South Vietnamese troops? How will his personal life be affected by the dictates of the Navy? And more importantly, how does he come out of this alive?

Smoke on the Water is based on real life events. It is a coming-of-age tale that occurs in less than four years' time, spanning events from the East Coast to Hawaii to Southeast Asia. It encompasses journeys and adventures in foreign lands, loves found and lost, humorous situations, and a maturation process within one man compressed in the pressure cooker of an unpopular war.

If you liked M*A*S*H you'll love this book.

Review Quotes

"Smoke on the Water is a wonderful stroll down memory lane for me. It takes me back to my early Air Force days, traveling throughout Hawaii, the Philippines, and other Asian destinations. I am reminded of many of the popular haunts, as well as the divisive politics the Vietnam War evoked among us. Perhaps the most touching element of the story is the struggle of the main character trying to make his captain, shipmates and friends accept him while he struggles internally with the desire to pursue a different career path. Smoke on the Water will keep you wanting to turn the next page." -Richard Hess, US Air Force officer (Ret.) and coauthor of Night of the Bear

"This is an engrossing account of a young officer's service on a naval vessel during the Vietnam War. Bartley takes the reader on a closely observed tour of the social world of a small ship." -Joel Best, PhD, sociologist and author

"Jason Conley is fresh from his comfortable existence as a college student in suburban Philadelphia. Trained as a naval officer, he travels to Pearl Harbor on his way to Vietnam. His original assignment becomes irrelevant when he is thrust into an unexpected position as ship's engineer. His next assignment comes with its own troubles, as the captain turns out to be a mysterious and increasingly dysfunctional commander. Armed with values that often conflict with his sense of duty, Jason must reconcile this to survive. Luckily, with buddies, music and lovers, laughter is never far behind. An authentic, thought-provoking and satisfying read." -Maya L. Paul, PhD, clinical psychologist

"Jack Bartley's novel, Smoke on the Water, is a terrific read. As someone who lived through the Vietnam era, I really enjoyed how quickly it took me back to that fascinating time in our history. The characters are all so vivid and easily identifiable. Great characters, dialogue, and pace. I really look forward to reading more of Mr. Bartley's work." -Jasey Schnarz, reader

"A great read for any former NAVFORV sailor still able to walk and chew gum at the same time. Thanks for the ride." -Richard Piet, former US Navy officer