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Code of Conduct
by Rich Merritt
| List Price: |
$15.00 |
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$10.20 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$4.80 (32%) |
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Paperback
Publisher: Kensington
"You've gotten away with it for so long, you think you're immune to the danger..." At thirty-three, Don Hawkins has spent the better part of his life, in every sense, as a U.S. Marine. Enlisting to escape an alcoholic father and stepmother, he became the unofficial leader of a group of gay servicemen and women, all compelled to guard their sexual identity as faithfully as they serve their country. But with newly inaugurated President Clinton's promise to lift the ban on gays in the military, Don is optimistic that a brighter era is dawning--and not just politically. Ten years now since his lover died in Beirut, Don is finally ready to love again, and falls headlong for Patrick, a handsome young helicopter pilot. As their relationship develops, Don lets his guard down--in potentially dangerous ways. Because forces are at work in the Naval Investigative Service, in Congress, and even in the bars and clubs that Don views as his turf, with a vicious agenda that will have unforeseen consequences... Drawing on his own experiences as a Marine, Rich Merritt has crafted an extraordinary story of love, loss, duty, betrayal, and hope. Most of all, Code of Conduct is a deeply compelling exploration of the power of loyalty--to friends, lovers, country, and the unwavering dictates of our own hearts.
| Customer Reviews: |
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| Don't Ask, Don't Tell |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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Through example, we see in this novel the practical impossibility of living dual lives, one professional, and one personal, where being fired is the remedy for a conduct violation. For this, the novel is quite powerful and remains vibrant long after the adoption of the silly "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Perhaps most compelling in the book is a glimpse into the workings of our military through the characters: Who wouldn't love Gunnery Sergeant Hawkins? Less so were the speeches on gay rights, intended to be impromptu, but sounding more like a didactic diatribes. Similarly distracting was the level of violence, which at times seemed implausible, and the obsession of the two investigative agents, which took repressed homosexuality into a conspiracy of the absurd. Perhaps toning down these more sensational elements would have made the central theme of "don't ask, don't tell" more compelling and a bit less trivial. That said, the author leaves us with plenty to think about, making the novel one that's well worth reading.
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| Entertaining with characters you will care about. |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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The title of my review pretty much sums up (at a very high level) the two things that will decide a book's fate for me: did it keep me engaged and did I care about the main characters?
The answer for this book, in both cases, is yes. I agree with other reviewers that the dizzying number of characters in the beginning of the book and (in several cases) the rather thin development of them in the story was the only downside for me. Once you got the names and ranks down, the rest of the story was fantastic and (again like other reviewers) I was emotionally drawn in to their stories and their worlds. Also, for those of us who came of age during the early 90's and the first Clinton administration, the author's capturing that time period was evocative and authentic - it brought back a lot of good memories.
Some of the dialogue was a bit trite and the main antagonist (Jay) never really came together for me, but I still really loved the story.
My MAIN gripe, and this extends to gay fiction in general - is it REALLY necessary to have a headless underwear model on the cover of every book? In this novel's story, there was a beautifully-described photo that would have been a great cover for the book. I understand those types might be appropriate for trashy beach reads, but this book was underserved by the ridiculously overused cover shot. It almost dissuaded me from buying it, and certainly made for raised eyebrows when reading it on a flight from Vegas!
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| Code of Conduct?? Code of Hot |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Well what can i say bout "code of conduct"
That as soon as i read the first chapter i was pretty much hooked, now i'm not normally a novel reader but when i seen this book i didnt actually read a review so a bit pointless writing this review but none-the-less i am writing this for guys that do actually read the review first b4 purchasing the novel.
Code of Conduct is a book about Homosexuality in the navy, The US Marines. It's a very warm and welcoming novel to read, let me just say this! if ur a Gay/Bi man and obviously love your hot men, then this book you will love, It's part way between a Novel (which it is)and Porn, there are few pages in most chapters that graphically give an image very clearly of what the guys in the novel are doing ;) hint hint :)
All Up i would definatly say that this novel was worht it, Buy It! You wont be dissapointed
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| Very Well Told Story |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Not having read Rich Merritt's first book I bought this one a few days ago not knowing what to expect. I've since read it twice (must...get...sleep) and have been completely engrossed each time. OK, so you might find a flow chart handy to keep track of all the characters, but the character development of the principals is excellent. It's all here in this book: romance, love, sex, mystery, humor, and tragedy--not to mention considerable insight into what it's like to be gay in the military for those of us who've never had to go that route. I highly recommend the book to anyone looking for absorbing escapist fare in a gay novel. Rich Merritt has proven himself to be a very good storyteller.
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| A Story that needs to be told...but in fewer pages! |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Having read Mr. Merritt's first book, "Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star" I was really looking forward to this title, his first piece of fiction. It is an important novel in that it reports on President Clinton's first days in office and his attempts at allowing GLBT members of the military to serve without having to hide who they are, and who better to write on this topic, then Rich Merritt who lived these experiences first hand. I enjoyed the book, however, there were just too many characters being introduced throughout and it made it difficult for me to remember who was who. The book is also 456 pages long and I think the story could have been told in fewer pages. The characters Patrick and Don were my favorite and their relationship set the tone for the story. Not one of the best books of this genre but one that I am sure you will enjoy nonetheless, especially if you have a military background.
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