Convictions
Prentiss Granger and Laurel Hollingsworth grew up privileged in the South, met in private school and became best friends. Through the political upheaval of the 1960s, the two young women grapple with their own beliefs as the civil rights and antiwar movements explode around them. Then, in a single irrevocable moment of violence, everything changes. Caught at the wrong place at the wrong time, Prentiss finds herself on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List and trapped in the political underground. Laurel must balance her own convictions as she struggles to help her lost friend while she moves forward with her own life.
Praise for Convictions
“Convictions is brilliant … a beautifully controlled piece of writing, intricately plotted and skillfully paced. It is a novel of substance, a thoughtful portrayal of an important part of American history. And it is entertaining and exciting to read.”
—Raleigh News and Observer
“This first novel succeeds admirably in capturing the mood and feel of the sixties. Its narrator is well-developed as a flesh-and-blood, humorous, and self-deprecating commentator.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The life of Prentiss Granger is a metaphor, a picture of the soul of the times…. Convictions is well-written and evenly paced, and sometimes very funny.”
—United Press International
“Cannon is at her strongest in evoking the Grand Canyon-wide gap between parents and their rebellious off spring, with a compelling sense of place.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Taffy Cannon shows the seething discontent and the ferment in the 1960s that led to fundamental changes in American society.”
—Chattanooga Times
"Very interesting way to look at the turbulent sixties. A page turner. I really enjoyed reading it. Entertaining." —Craig Hullinger
Click to read more and to purchase Taffy's books:
taffycannon.com/fiction/convictions
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Reading this book was a trip down memory lane. It recounts all the big events of the day. And of course made you think about which events you saw.
The JFK assassination was of course a major memory for all of us, and we all remember when it happened. I was in Doc Watson's chemistry class when Doc confirmed that he died.
The civil rights marches galvanized public opinion and changed many minds. Race relations needed improvement. I did my little bit for a year after high school in 1966 in the inner city of Norfolk. VA. popv.blogspot.com
The cold war was a huge issue. The Communist countries were threatening. The threat of nuclear war was very real.
Vietnam and the antiwar movement were major issues that the book addresses. Each one of us had to decide the correct course of action.
The race riots were also disturbing. I was stationed in Yuma, Arizona, in 1967 and we were preparing for both Vietnam and riot duty. We were set to go to San Francisco. Our training for riot duty consisted of wearing gas masks and marching in close ranks with our bayonets fixed on our rifles. You could not wear glasses with the gas mask, so I was blind as a bat. And the tear gas was nasty. Glad we did not have to do that.
The heroines of the book go to Berkeley in the San Francisco area. You will remember the appeal of the bay area during the days of peace and love. My friend and I drove from Yuma to San Francisco one long weekend. We went to the epicenter at Haight-Ashbury. But it was sad. Many kids strung out.
The book takes us to the major peace demonstration in 1969 in Washington, DC.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moratorium_to_End_the_War_in_Vietnam#
I went there with three other Marine Lieutenants. I didn't even know about it - one of the guys said let's go, so four of us did. We did not know what to expect - four very short haired and very fit Marines at a peace demonstration. But it was a very mellow event. I guess we all wanted peace - with different ideas on how to achieve it.
Vietnam was of course the big issue for all of us, whether we fought it, protested against it or avoided it.
This book is a great read, and reminds you of all the "fun" times of our youth. I highly recommend it.
Craig Hullinger
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