Official Review: One Degree by Gus Kappler

[Standor5865]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "One Degree" by Gus Kappler.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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In the historical fiction novel, One Degree, Gus Kappler details the events surrounding different incidents of strange deaths. Starting with the Vietnam War, we first encounter a Viet Cong attack on U.S troops, which leads to Private Richard Burrows sustaining severe leg injuries. His legs were saved at the 85th Evacuation Hospital, and he was making a full recovery until a sudden septic attack took his life. This was very unusual and left a lot of unanswered questions, especially considering how well Richard's health was progressing. Several other similar cases motivate a group of Vietnam Veterans to undertake the responsibility of finding out the cause of the problem. What secrets will they uncover? The answer lies in Gus Kappler's intriguing One Degree.

Gus Kappler masterfully incorporates biological science and research with some historical parts of the Vietnam War. It wasn't surprising to find out that the author served as a trauma surgeon in Vietnam, as the level of description of scenes in the jungle and hospital in Vietnam showed that he must have been close to such events in real life. This was one of my favorite aspects of the book. The story is slow-paced. While this feature was a negative feature at times, as I felt the author diverged from the story a lot and could have moved on quickly, there was enough time for me to digest characters' stories and feel what they were going through.

The impact of war on people's mental, physical, and emotional states was also evident in the story, as the author explores themes of drug abuse, alcoholism, and post-traumatic stress that readers will observe in a few characters. It was also easy to relate to the characters, and I liked that their motivations for undertaking the task of solving the major problem were well explained. Loss, guilt, and a sense of responsibility motivated some of the characters, and I was rooting for them throughout. The book also explores the corruption that can be seen at different levels of the government, even in modern society.

I also thoroughly enjoyed how the author explains the biology behind the cause of the problem, and this played a significant part in the attempt to find a solution. A lot of cellular biology is discussed, and a few other scientific terms are used, but Gus does well to include illustrations explaining some of the terms used.

With respect to the book's editing, there isn't much to complain about. I found just four minor errors throughout the text, and this gave me the impression that One Degree was well edited. I would have liked the story to be organized in chronological order throughout, as it would have made the story flow even better. This was one of the few concerns I had about the book.

All things considered, a rating of 3 out of 4 is fair. One Degree could have been more concise, but it was a fantastic read. I would recommend the book to lovers of historical fiction and mystery stories. The inclusion of profane words and a few violent scenes means that the book is not suitable for a younger audience.

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One Degree
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[jerick_12]

Good Review. The book looks interesting and informative since the author discusses biology in the novel.

[Dominik_G]

I like how the author managed to write about his subject and characters in a realistic and relatable manner. Thank you for your great review!

[Chickenwings00]

Lovers of war books will enjoy this novel. The storyline sounds exciting and well structured. The review says it all.

[Elvis Best]

I do enjoy historical fiction, and the plot of this book sounds intriguing. Thanks for the informative review. Good job!

[Christabel Uzoamaka]

Wow! I am already intrigued, and I would definitely want to know more about Private’s life and death.

Splendid review!

[NetMassimo]

Despite the complaints you expressed, this seems an intriguing historical fiction with a mystery and political elements. Thank you for your great review!

[baha Ibrahim]

The writing is highly descriptive and the plot strong. It is fast-paced and it features characters that I cared about.
Thank you for your review

[TADSAILS]

What an interesting historical fiction and I really appreciated that you observed real geniunity about the authors experience in the medical field. Nice review and would check this out.

[LinaJan]

This sounds like just the right amount of conspiracy I may enjoy

Thank you for such a thorough and inviting review

[Priyanka2304]

Thanks for the wonderful review. Would definitely think about reading this book one day.

[JKO]

What secrets will the Veteran Vietnams uncover? This book sure sounds like one that has a lot of mystery, and I recommend it to people who are interested in mystery stories. This is a good review.

[rahilshajahan]

Historical fiction is right up my alley of interest. Add mystery to the mix and I am ready to go. I like fiction that has some scientific backing which makes it relatable and easier to picture while reading. Thanks for an intriguing review!

[Guda Lydia]

A compelling and captivating read, lots of questions to be answered. Great review!

[Wy_Bertram]

The author's personal experience lends this a lot of credibility. Nice review.