Step into the powerhouse life of Bull Meecham. He's all Marine --- fighter pilot, king of the clouds, and absolute ruler of his family. Lillian is his wife -- beautiful, southern-bred, with a core of velvet steel. Without her cool head, her kids would be in real trouble. Ben is the oldest, a born athlete whose best never satisfies the big man. Ben's got to stand up, even fight back, against a father who doesn't give in -- not to his men, not to his wife, and certainly not to his son. Bull Meecham is undoubtedly Pat Conroy's most explosive character -- a man you should hate, but a man you will love."Robust and vivid... full of feeling." --- "Newsday" "Stinging authenticity... a book that won't quit." -- "Atlanta Journal" "A tender, raucous and often hilarious book." -- "Booklist" "Conroy has captured a different slice of America in this funny, dramatic novel." -- "Richmond News -Leader"