Recently, I found some highly coveted child-free time to read The Last Blue Mile by Kim Ponders, a novel detailing life at the Air Force Academy as a young female cadet.

Ponders’ novel is based on her own experiences in the military and her in-depth research of the Air Force Academy. She flew in Desert Storm as one of the first American women in combat, and her book is stirring and captivating. Once I began reading I found it impossible to stop.

In The Last Blue Mile, Brook Searcy is a freshman at the Air Force Academy determined to survive Hell Week and gain recognition in the male-dominated military. As she struggles to break through the barriers that a new cadet faces, she discovers the gender stereotypes that are still in force at the Academy.

Brook crosses paths with General John Waller after a cheating scandal is revealed, and as Waller tries to catch the ringleader, Brook finds herself closer to the heat than she expected. After a terrible accident touches their lives, Searcy and Waller must face their own fears and troubled pasts.

As I read this powerful and touching novel, I began to sympathize with Brook Searcy. Her thin veil of confidence causes her to believe she can handle any curveball the military throws her. She crashes with her fate head on and finds herself examining the meanings of truth, honor and loyalty.

At first glance I thought I couldn’t possibly comprehend Ponders’ novel without military background, but she raises difficult questions about honor and responsibility of which anyone can relate to.

From this book, I discovered the reality of religious and sexual politics in the military. I was surprised to grasp the ways religion can affect a military and cause uncertainty and doubt amongst its leaders and soldiers.

I have come to appreciate the grueling training our military forces endure, as well as the difficult decisions a military general like Waller must face to keep his ranks in line. This novel has given me a new awareness of the difference between how a war is perceived and what it truly represents.

Ponders’ has truly captured the complexity of life as an Air Force cadet and I’m honored to recommend The Last Blue Mile to anyone fascinated with the military world and those who just want to devour a brilliant novel.

The Last Blue Mile is on sale tomorrow, May 22nd. For information about the book and the author visit www.kimponders.com.

Contributing Editor Dana J. Tuszke also blogs at The Dana Files.