The Bookmen: A Requiem for the Sixties

The summer of 1965 is a pivotal time in American history. As the Vietnam War expands toward its ultimate heavy American involvement, the Watts Riots presage the urban unrest of the late 1960s.

This insightful novel follows newlywed couple Max and Jan King, who have just graduated college and are both preparing to start med school at MCLA, a former osteopathic college in East Los Angeles. Max returns to his summer job selling encyclopedias door-to-door, while Jan works in the schools lab.

Maxs long work hours create a gap in the couples previous 24/7 harmonious relationship, which becomes strained due to their incompatible work times. He hangs out a lot with his friend, Art Burton, a brainy Stanford pre-law graduate, who has encyclopedic knowledge of current events and warns about Americas creep toward a full commitment fighting in Vietnam. Max is also exposed to the enticement of drug use and the free love era. This story is truly A Requiem for the Sixties.

(About the Author)

Semi-retired physician Henry Rex Greene grew up in Baldwin Park, California, and credits his far-flung interests to great teachers who knew how to nurture their students. This is his eighth book.