The Soldiers Of Summer Author:Joseph Phillips Set in 1978, Mr. Phillips novel deals with a group of New York City police officers doing their annual two-week summer camp with the Army Reserve. What they believe will be a "vacation" for them away from the mean streets of New York turns into a nightmare for them. They are made to undergo forced marches and simulated battle conditions that k... more »eep them up most of the night, while still having to rise at the crack of dawn for their scheduled work day. Unknown to them, their commanding officer, passed over for promotion during the Vietnam War, is desperate now and will do anything that is necessary to achieve that promotion even if it is detrimental to his company's health. To deal with these adverse conditions, they band together in a show of unity and strength, even nicknaming their bivouac area "Whiskey Hill", as a sign of protest to send the message that they are separate from the order and discipline their near psychotic Captain is trying to force upon them. But along with those ordeals, each man must face bitter memories from the past failures of their personal lives and the nagging ghosts that still haunt them from the recently concluded Vietnam War. In order to do this, they find a false solace in whiskey that often leads to some comedic situations on and off the base. But in the end, their expertise as police officers is needed when their Captain's mind finally snaps and he holds a Division Colonel hostage at gunpoint. With no one else readily available, they are asked to somehow free the Colonel, but adding to the pressure, a Special Forces sniper sits on an adjoining rooftop with a rifle and a scope waiting to resolve the crisis his way if it becomes necessary.« less