A poignant exploration of resilience, love, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through the eyes of its protagonist, Glass paints a vivid portrait of life's struggles and triumphs, weaving together a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

The story follows the life of Jack, a man who has faced more than his fair share of challenges. From childhood trauma to adult hardships, Jack's journey is marked by pain and loss. However, it is also marked by moments of profound connection and resilience. As Jack navigates the complexities of his past and present, readers are drawn into a world that is as raw as it is beautiful.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of characters. Glass has a gift for creating multidimensional individuals who feel both authentic and relatable. Whether it's Jack's struggle to reconcile with his past or the supporting cast members who offer him solace along the way, each character adds depth and richness to the narrative.

Another highlight is its exploration of themes such as forgiveness and redemption. As Jack grapples with his demons and seeks to make amends for past mistakes, readers are reminded of the transformative power of compassion and self-reflection. Glass handles these themes with grace and sensitivity, ensuring that they resonate long after the final page is turned.

A powerful read, it is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing feels uneven, with certain sections dragging while others race by. Additionally, some readers may find the narrative structure to be somewhat disjointed, as the story alternates between past and present without clear transitions. However, these minor quibbles do little to detract from the overall impact of the book.

A moving testament to the resilience of the human spirit. With its compelling characters, thought-provoking themes, and powerful storytelling, William Glass has crafted a novel that is as unforgettable as it is inspiring. Readers who appreciate stories of hope, healing, and the enduring power of love will find much to cherish within its pages. ( )

At first, I was interested in the setting. Too many kids (five of them) in this family. Dave Knight’s father is an alcoholic army officer and the wife is trying to hold it all together.

I liked the start but wasn’t sure where this book was going. I would call it a coming-of-age novel but it’s more like lots of stories that never fully tie together. So that’s why I kind of lost interest about halfway into the book.

Mostly you have this large dysfunctional family moving around a lot just as one would expect from an Army family. The kids fight each other a lot.

The only child that appears to make something of himself is Dan even if he was slacking the entire time. We’re not sure what happens to all his siblings. We know one dies and his mother passes away.
So at times the story works for me and other times not so much.

https://theworldisabookandiamitsreader.wordpress.com/2021/05/17/as-good-as-can-b... ( )

I will be completely honest. I am not much into the war scene, unless you count Forest Gump but who doesn't like that one? I requested this book because I had never read anything like it so I figured it would be perfect for me so I would be able to give a fully honest opinion.

As Good As Can Be was a interesting and engaging book. I found myself enjoying reading about how Dave went from day to day reading how he grew and how he handled military life. But it wasnt a boring "history book" read It was quite the adventure. For some pets it didn't feel like I was reading a military related book buy more on a young man's journey through life. I have to admit that if I was going to judge the book by its cover I probably wouldn't have read it. I am so glad I never choose books that way. I was very happy to have given this opportunity to read this book. I recommend everyone give it a try. ( )

As Good as Can Be is one of those coming-of-age novels with which people of a certain age find it so easy to identify. If your own coming-of-age spans the fifties and sixties (as mine did), the novel is almost certain to get you thinking about your own experiences during those years. But that’s far from all that William A. Glass’s As Good as Can Be has going for it because Dave Knight’s growing-up story turns out to be quite an adventure. Before this one is over, we spend time with the Knight family in Iran, follow the military family from one army post to another, and get a long look at what it was liked to be stationed in South Korea almost two decades after the dust settled on the Korean War.

And Dave Knight lives on the edge the whole time, never making it easy on anyone who cares for him – or, for that matter, on anyone forced to deal with him by circumstance, be they teachers, superior officers, or employers.

Today, Dave would likely be one of those kids said to be suffering from ADD, kids who are often very bright but just can’t sit still long enough to concentrate on their studies. But in the fifties, Dave is diagnosed simply as a pain in the butt by his teachers and, more importantly, by his strict Army officer father who sees him as an embarrassing failure. Dave is such an avid reader that reading is pretty much all he wants to do, no matter what class he is in or how far ahead of his reading class he might already be. Otherwise, he cannot sit still and he cannot shut up, neither of which do anything to endear him to his teachers. The pattern is set early in his life, and Dave’s father gives up on him just as early.

That tells you a lot about Lieutenant Colonel David S. Knight Jr., Dave’s father, but it doesn’t tell you just how often, or how tragically, the colonel lets down his wife and children. Dave and his brothers and sisters spend most of their time trying either to please their demanding father or avoid him altogether. They usually fail at both – sometimes with life-scarring consequences.

Dave, though, is a survivor, and this is his story.

Bottom Line: As Good as Can Be may be primarily a coming-of-age story, but it is also quite the page-turner, and it’s easy to get caught up in the Knight family’s tragic story, one largely written by the family’s alcoholic patriarch, a man unwilling ever to put his wife and children above his own military ambitions. It’s one hell of a ride.

(Review Copy provided by Author or Publisher) ( )

As Good As Can Be is a cheeky, enjoyable read. I'll admit I was worried this would be a bit darker than it was. The opening line made me laugh, and after the first chapter I was excited to read the rest of the book. Not your typical historical fiction, but that's not a bad thing! Following Dave and his family is a ride you don't want to miss. ( )