LIBERATION ROAD

Rabbi and Chaplain Ben Kahn lands on Omaha Beach five days after D-day. Having been a WWI commando, Kahn now seeks his son, a B-17 pilot, shot down over France. He finds anti-Semitism, among other things. Joe Amos Biggs is one of 23,000 mostly black men who drive supply trucks in the Red Ball Express. He finds racism and is promoted to sergeant. Then there's "White Dog," who runs a black market in Paris. The three come together in a series of shattering climaxes. George Guidall is a little more subdued than usual, and this adds an additional layer of gloominess to an already grim story. Characterizations are good, of course. D.R.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]