Three Squares and a Rack: "As real as it Gets - You're leaving home; inducted into the Navy, going to Boot Camp, then"A" School, joining the fleet, ... and along the way, you're making history." Paperback – December 2, 2017

Love all of Philip's books. Keeps your attention and you cant put the book down. Easy and enjoyable read. Cant wait for the next one. Thanks Philip!

Having been in the Navy, this book truly describes the life of a young sailor. Also you are taken from the beginning to the end of a four year tour of duty. Trained to work in the engineering spaces which provides ship's steam propulsion, making distilled water out of sea water and generating the ship's power from steam generators.Challenges from living in close quarters with other sailors and working in hot places, the author takes you through the years with triumphs and heartaches of continued sea duty with limited time in th U.S.

The story is a good one, capturing the essence of the inexperienced boy who goes to the Navy and learns some life lessons. I've been reading a few autobiographical accounts of similar service and lots of the points in this story rings true. In fact, at first, I thought it was autobiographical, but then realized it seemed to be fiction.There's one negative comment that I have to make. There's a small, mysterious second thread running through this story that, at the end, is left unresolved. It leaves behind a mystery. Reaching the end and not finding a resolution or explanation to this left me unfulfilled and unhappy with the story. It seems to leave room for a sequel, but since the book is copyright 2018, and it's now 2022, I don't expect one.

No one on God's green earth could be as naive as Cal. What about the man with the English accent? I think this whole book was one big fever dream!

This book parallels my time in the US Navy from Boot Camp to also being aboard The USS Fort Mandan LSD #21 from June 1966-1970. It's a great read for anyone that was in the " Amphib's". Cal's adventures brings back a lot of memories. The author does a great job relating the trails and tribulations of a young man at sea away from home.