TIN SOLDIER

Two identification cards, each with a separate name and both with his grandfather’s photograph, send Webb on a journey to find the truth regardless of the cost.

With only his travel guitar, a clean T-shirt and a small amount of cash, Webb must follow a trail that began during the Vietnam War. However, he lacks both information and a ride. He meets Lee Knox, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and self-proclaimed angry black man, who makes it his purpose to educate Webb about both the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. They agree to work together to solve the mystery of Webb’s grandfather, but violence surrounds them, making it obvious they are not the only ones on the hunt. As one of seven linked stories, Webb’s is the least connected to the other six, making it a good stand-alone choice. Rich in historical detail, the narrative is a crash course on a volatile time in American history. Webb, who battles his own internal demons even as he’s fighting external enemies, is a complicated and authentic hero. Unfortunately, irrelevant details and uneven pacing rob Webb’s quest of its power.

This promising journey starts well but loses its way.