Luck of the Draw

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Pub Date 28 Jan 2025 | Archive Date 4 Mar 2025

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Description

It’s 1969.

Stephen's plans to attend Harvard Law School are derailed by the Vietnam War draft lottery. Faced with the prospect of being sent to fight in Southeast Asia, he evades military service by fleeing to California.

Arrested at an anti-war protest, Stephen flees again, this time to a commune in northern California. There, he falls in love with Sharon, the leader of an underground radical group. Under Sharon’s influence, Stephen plants a bomb that accidentally claims a life. Escaping from the FBI, he heads to Canada with his newborn daughter, Rosie, after Sharon decides to stay behind. As Rosie grows up, Stephen conceals the truth about their past. Many years later, Rosie uncovers the truth and sets out to find her mother. With the FBI closing in, Rosie loses her father and is left to navigate an uncertain future.

Luck of the Draw is a thriller laced with radical politics, divided loyalties, and personal tragedies. Ultimately, it is a story of love, loss, and survival.

It’s 1969.

Stephen's plans to attend Harvard Law School are derailed by the Vietnam War draft lottery. Faced with the prospect of being sent to fight in Southeast Asia, he evades military service by...


A Note From the Publisher

After a distinguished academic career, Stuart Blackburn began writing novels and won the MM Bennetts prize for historical fiction with Into the Hidden Valley (2016). Luck of the Draw, his sixth novel, draws on his personal experiences during the Vietnam War era. Born and educated in America, he now lives with his wife on the south coast of England.

After a distinguished academic career, Stuart Blackburn began writing novels and won the MM Bennetts prize for historical fiction with Into the Hidden Valley (2016). Luck of the Draw, his sixth...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781835742518
PRICE £4.99 (GBP)
PAGES 368

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Average rating from 4 members


Featured Reviews

Excellent look at an important era for many of us. Many writers have approached this trying time, but this author’s story really exposes the hearts and souls of many—not only those included in that awful draft lottery in December of 1969, but so many others as well. Everyone who lived through that time has a story to tell, and this one is well worth reading. (With a number less than 50, the stress I personally lived with makes the story even more real.)

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I enjoy (an interesting word to use) reading books, both nonfiction and fiction, surrounding the Vietnam era soldiers. They are always so well written and usually leave you with more questions than answers. This book is no exception. Luck of The Draw is one where ethical decisions are made throughout Stephen’s life and how he lives with them. Stuart Blackburn writes a fantastic book that is worth the read.

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This is an important book as it shines a light on key events in recent history which really should not be forgotten. Yes, it’s a great story, but it also raises important questions about the right to protest, the role of government and the complexity of war. The author manages to address these with respect and thoughtfulness.

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