The Sand Pebbles by Richard McKenna

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Checkman

Getting older and balder
May 9, 2007
902
1,989
Idaho
An interesting book written by Richard McKenna (1913-1964) who was a U.S. Navy veteran (1931-1953) and was stationed in China in the 1930's. He knew men who experienced the time period covered in the novel (late 1920's) and I suspect that Jake Holman is based on the author himself.

Richard McKenna was a career Navy man who (after retiring from the Navy) went on to earn a college degree before dying at a young age in 1964. A gifted writer he had the ability to transport the reader to the time and place. He makes the setting come to life.

Like Holman the novel takes a neutral stance on the political situation in China during the 1920's. There is no condemnation of the the U.S. military presence in China nor is there any adulation of the revolutionaries. It's simply a story of a man who prefers machines over people, but finds himself in a situation where he is forced to deal with people. And people are messy and unpredictable. Unlike Holman's beloved engines.

Holman would prefer to stay out of all the drama, but events dictate otherwise. Like it or not he's pulled into the whole mess.

Both an adventure novel and a drama The Sand Pebbles is an easy read and one that has aged well.

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