THE OBJECTOR

A war story which posits a conscientious objector in a generally unsympathetic Army. Dan Heath, accepted and with his belief that war is murder on record, is assigned to Field Artillery where officers' dislike and retaliation are matched by the men's approval of his honesty and simplicity. Investigated as being mentally unfit, he is acquitted and assigned to latrine duty until an understanding M. D. gets him transferred to the medical detachment where latrine duty is his again. An appointment to the neuropsychiatric ward is followed by scandal and the personal animosity and jealousy of the Major sends him overseas. On his furlough before shipping out Dan learns he can strike a man and is pursued by the thought of having betrayed his tenets of pacificism. Arrived in England his lack of training and his inability to face blood places him as a driver, and in following the advance into Germany he proves his courage more than once, and loses his life in trying to save a wounded man.....The picture of an alien force in a regimented world has its moments of serio comedy and offers a sometimes touching portrait of a peaceful, hardworking, direct, honest Joe in all logic. All the latrine words here. And the market a major question.