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Interstate 70, April 1969 After being in the Air Force Academy for only a year, Sam Roberts has resigned. His father isfurious. His mother is understanding, but unsupportive. As for his mind, well . . . Sam doesn't really know what to think anymore. All he knows is that he doesn't believe in the US's involvement in the Vietnam War and can't be part of the situation any longer. So he stands on the I-70 interstate, having just separated from his girlfriend, and starts his hitchhiking journey from Colorado all the way to St. Louis, Missouri. Along his way he'll meet people from all walks of life: four Hispanic youth driving to a quinceaƱera, retired WWII vets who have differing opinions on Sam's views, a hippie who just got out of serving in the war himself, and a gay couple from California. Each brings their own perspective to the Vietnam War and American ideals. And for Sam, the shared rides turn into a sharing of ideas, of one's past and stories, that help him go from driving along the interstate to flying the course he has always meant to be on. Taken from the author's personal experience, Flightless Falcon's historical fiction novel presents the varying nuances of American attitudes during the 1960s through one young man's interaction between people, their pasts, and their perceptions on service, life, and love.

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James Charles Smith

Flightless Falcon

2025 NYC Big Book Award

Distinguished Favorite

Historical Fiction

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