Vivid and moving account of a group of paratroops during WWII ( )

"The Last Jump" is a fitting tribute to the Greatest Generation. It begins in modern day when the government makes a decision to seek out and honor African American soldiers from World War II that deserved, but were overlooked for the highest military award - The Medal of Honor for heroic actions during that war. John P. Kilroy, a white journalist, was also invited to Washington, accepting the MOH posthumously for the actions of his father in the same battle. However, it was in a separate ceremony without fanfare so the significance of the main ceremony remained a tribute to only the black former soldiers.

John P. wanted to learn more about his father and took this opportunity to interview his former friends: the four MOH recipients. He learned so much about him, but there was something missing - a secret,none of them would share. Readers are taken back to the beginning of the war, each survivor adding to the storyline which spans the entire war. John's father, John P Kilroy and John Kilroy - not related - were enemies during training and then later become the best of friends - inseparable! John P was married and John (Jake) had a fiance, their stories are also told while they support the war effort by working in the ship building yards, testing and flying aircraft - later transporting them to the front, and learning about how difficult life is as civilians during the war.

Uncovering the secret, a pact made sixty years earlier, became a quest for the truth. Years pass since their initial introduction in Washington, but he continues to push them - hoping one of them will slip and spill the beans before the former comrades take it to their graves.

The historical facts within seem accurate and offer the reader an up close and personal look at the day-to-day activities of those young men during war. If you don't know much about the great war, "The Last Jump" is a refreshing story about love, sacrifice, dedication and honor - also learning about history at the same time. The ending is not expected and will leave you with mouth agape. Highly recommended! Great job Mr. Nevola!

John Podlaski, author
[[ASIN:B003R4Z5U6 Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel]] ( )

As I was reading this book, I found myself skimming over portions that were muddled in which regiment, battalion, company, etc. was doing whatever, wherever. I suppose the author felt that was necessary for historical accuracy for WWII buffs. That and one, yes only one, usage of the wrong word, are all I can mention in a negative vein of this remarkable debut novel.

Others have written long synopses of the storyline so I will not compete with their summaries. I would rather focus on the brilliance of bringing a number of characters to life. I found myself really caring about each and every one of the main characters and even a couple of the others.

The story and impact on me grew as I read this epic novel. The further I read, the more I cared. As I neared the final 50-60 pages, I was really emotionally involved. In fact, as a big burly person, I was surprised that tears came to my eyes. Anyone with a shred of humanity will be engrossed by this book. ( )

The Last Jump: A Novel of World War II is the story of middle-aged journalist, J. P. Kilroy, who is invited in 1997 to go to a ceremony at the White House to accept the Medal of Honor for his dead father. When his mother was dying, she had told him he needed to find his father who had left years ago but J. P. never had. He felt his father could not get over J. P.'s going to Canada to avoid Vietnam War. While at the ceremony J. P. meets a number of his father’s old war buddies and wanting to know more about his father he goes out to dinner with them. As he is a journalist, he tapes the conversation and when he uses the rest room the men acknowledge they are keeping a secret from him. This piques his interest but also some of the things they had said about his father intrigued him so he is determined to figure it out what the men are keeping from him.

The book then follows J. P. as he has conversations with his father’s old buddies and the story flashes back so we get to know J. P.’s father and his best friend, both with the last name of Kilroy. You see how Jake and Johnny meet, become friends and go through their training and then on to Europe as paratroopers. They were excellent soldiers and found themselves behind enemy lines. Nevola gives you historical and military information about the battles they are involved in and you get a real feel for the horror of the war. You are on Omaha Beach with them as the bullets buzz by.

In addition to seeing the front lines, both of the men have girls back in the states so you get to see what it was like in America during the war. There is a glimpse of the women who were working in the shipyards, and those who were WACS and flying airplanes to transporting goods but not allowed in combat situations. You saw how the role of women was changing and how the people back home were sacrificing for the war.

The story progresses and J. P. is older, now 60 and wiser. His father’s old friends are dying off. He had told he has everything he needs to figure out the secret but he still can’t solve it until he meets someone else connected to his father and it all comes together.

This story has romance, mystery, and action. As it the story moves between time periods and places, Nevola has the geographical place and date as the chapter titles so there is no confusion. I also appreciated the quotations that begin each chapter. Nevola has done his homework and gives the historical background and though a few times I felt like I was reading a history book, most of the time the fictional story and historical information flowed smoothly. Since the story is dealing with soldiers there is some salty language and there are several graphic descriptions of the horrors of the war.

This is a sweeping novel that gives a picture of a different time in America and Nevola has given the reader a sense of why Tom Brokaw called that generation the Greatest Generation. ( )