The Korean War is sometimes called the forgotten war. Korean veterans got their monument in Washington after the Vietnam memorial became so popular. The Day to Eternity by Joanne Monte sheds light on the Korean War, but even more importantly, it sheds light on that overlooked period of history between the Japanese surrender and surprise attack launched by North Korea that started the bloody civil war. I served with the U.S. Army on the Demilitarized zone in South Korea, learned the Korean language, and studied Korean history. I found no flaws whatsoever in any historical or cultural aspect of The Day to Eternity. Joanne Monte knows Korean culture and history very well.

The Day to Eternity looks at the war and the period that precedes it through the eyes of Gavin Phillips, a U.S. fighter pilot who we first read about as he tries to remain alive and retain his dignity behind enemy lines. Gavin is an honorable man and apparently a very attractive fellow. He has three women interested in him. One of them is his brother’s wife. I loved The Day to Eternity mostly because there just aren't that many good books about Korea, but any lover of sweeping historical and military fiction will love this novel whether they've been to Korea or not. There is romance, suspense, action and a lot of tragedy, but it also shows how noble we can be even in very harsh circumstances. A must-read for those interested in Korea and this period.

The Day to Eternity is a novel by Joanne Monte that follows the story of Colonel Gavin Phillips, a downed American military pilot in North Korea. Set in the year 1952, it describes Gavin's ordeal as a prisoner of war, held by North Korean officials. In order to reach safety, he needs to escape to the American bases, but that is proving to be easier said than done.

I can feel Gavin's anger and frustration when he's captured, and the intense pain he feels when tortured. With this story, you never know what to expect. One second, Gavin is fine and walking through the North Korean land with no trouble, the next he is captured and tortured for information. Through all these challenges, however, Gavin behaves realistically. He feels emotions like real people do. He talks like real people. He thinks like real people. He even maintains a sense of professionalism, not giving into the North Korean oppressors and standing firm even when things turn sour. Gavin is the sort of character that is well written and one that readers will love to look out for.

I liked this novel because there is good plot development as well as characterization. The story provides a lot of action and suspense, but pertaining to a sense of historical accuracy.