Boatswain’s Mate By Pat Johnston (329 pages) Reviewer:  Dr. V.H. Schumacher Overall Rating: Four Stars--Highly Recommended. An excellent book. In the past 20 years I have seldom read a book that is so genuine and so very true to life! The story is a skillful blend of fact, fiction, history, family, pathos, memories, friendships made and friendships lost, love, humor, sadness, and joy. The author traces the life of a young man named John Rickmeyer and his career from seaman to master chief through the years of the Great Depression, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The book will give you goose bumps, will bring tears to your eyes and smiles to your face, and will remind any “old salt” that life in the United States Navy was a truly unique experience. In fact, it would not surprise me if readers saw themselves in many of those Rickenmeyer’s experiences. I know I did! In closing, reading and then reviewing this book has been wonderful. Readers please keep in mind that Chief Radioman Tom Schumacher introduced on page 255, despite the fact that his name matches that of my older son, is no relation. If we lived in the world of fiction though, I would have enjoyed meeting him. Buy this book. You will not put it down once you have read the first 10 pages. Availability: Available through: Ingram, Baker & Taylor and Barnes and Noble.com.