Songs For the Deaf
by Kenneth A. Silver
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Pub Date 3 Sep 2024 | Archive Date 31 Oct 2025
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Description
Winner of the 2024 New York Book Festival Award
Winner of the 2024 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
Winner of the 2024 Hollywood Book Festival Award
Winner of the 2024 Literary Titan Book Award
Winner of the 2024 International Firebird Book Award
Winner of the 2024 Book Fest Book Award.
SYNOPSIS:
Coretta Scott King attended an anti-war rally in Toronto in 1971 to introduce the John Doe author of SONGS FOR THE DEAF, which was dedicated to a U.S. government that was hard of hearing. They were about to announce a new challenge to the constitutionality of the Vietnam War. It wasn’t to be. The John Doe speaker, Marine Captain John Hathaway, who had been listed as an MIA, never lived to go public. Years later, real estate developer Miles Curtin uncovers a grim archaeological site: a mass burial with no artifacts, no identifiers—just bones, secrets, and a sinister connection to the past. The discovery pulls him into a web of conspiracy reaching back to Vietnam, where Hathaway’s father, a powerful general, wrestled with his son’s betrayal and the dark truths of “Operation Native Soil.”
Miles must grapple with haunting revelations, his fractured relationships with two women—his ex-wife Alice and the enigmatic Valerie—and the weight of a war that refuses to stay buried.
Blending history, fiction, and chilling speculation, "Songs For the Deaf" is a gripping thriller about loyalty, redemption, and the echoes of a war that still shapes our present. Some truths demand to be heard—no matter the cost.
Advance Praise
"Songs For the Deaf is a captivating read that is difficult to put down. Kenneth A. Silver masterfully blends historical intrigue with personal transformation, creating a story that is both beautiful and riveting... Miles' transformation is a highlight of the book drawing readers into his journey and making his character unforgettable." — Winner 2024 Literary Titan Book Award
"Songs For the Deaf is a wonderful story with the unforgettable presence of Miles Curtin, the protagonist. Following his bombshell discovery, the tug-of-war within his soul creates the kind of depth and literary richness that is one of the hallmarks I look for in great writing." —Mariel Hemingway, Oscar-nominated actress, author, and granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway
"With vivid descriptions and expert storytelling, Songs For the Deaf will transport you to another time and place, immersing you in a world of danger, intrigue, and hope. This book is a true testament to one man's talent as an author." —A Bookwatch Index Selection
"In a bold move that expands the traditional devices of a thriller into arenas of speculative works as well as nonfiction events, Kenneth A. Silver creates a historical and fictional inspection that moves from MIA service members in Vietnam to the under-discussed plague epidemics that ravaged North Vietnam throughout the war. The event received little attention because the efforts of those to bring them into the public eye were thwarted and their voices repressed-until now."—Midwest Book Review
"In a blistering recap of the post-Vietnam War era, Kenneth A. Silver connects multi-faceted family dynamics with societal unrest, military war crimes, government corruption and the inherent injustices of the war draft to weave a masterful tale that lays bare the fate of nations. Songs For the Deaf encapsulates the spirit of an era haunted by a past that reverberates into the future. It is a story of convictions and consequences, masterfully portraying a good man pushed to the limits of his moral boundaries in his relentless pursuit of truth. Silver's attention to detail and vivid storytelling brings the post-Vietnam War era to life in stunning detail." —Maincrest Media
Marketing Plan
#SFTD #HistoricalThriller #VietnamWarStory #Warfiction #Contemporaryfiction #MensBookClub #MenWhoRead #Giftforhim
#SFTD #HistoricalThriller #VietnamWarStory #Warfiction #Contemporaryfiction #MensBookClub #MenWhoRead #Giftforhim
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9781961532502 |
| PRICE | |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1638222
I'm obsessed with the best book of 2025! I devoured it in one sitting, completely captivated by the story. The characters were so well-developed, and the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down, even when my friends and family tried to distract me. The writing was engaging, and the author's style was unique. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a page-turner. Trust me, you won't regret it! It's a must-read for book lovers,
Zohar L, Reviewer
For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Songs for the Deaf by Kenneth A. Silver is a historical thriller telling a conspiracy uncovered by a real-estate developer concerning the Vietnam War. Mr. Silver is an author, lawyer, fashion designer and executive.
During a routine survey of a real estate site, a mass grave is discovered and opens up a whole can of worms which took place shortly after the Vietnam War. The developer, Miles Curtin, discovers that a conspiracy called Operation Native Soil took place during that time.
Miles keeps peeling away layers of deceit, secrets, corruption, and war crimes. He also pays a great personal cost to pursue the truth.
The book has a very interesting premise, taking place at a time of upheaval in the United States. The protagonist, Miles Curtis, is very interesting and affected greatly by the Vietnam War.
Songs for the Deaf by Kenneth A. Silver is a good book, and a good story but I just couldn’t get into the story. The author’s storytelling style simply didn’t work for me. I enjoyed the thriller, but the narrative detail didn’t work for me and took me out of the story.
There’s a lot happening in the book, from economic issues, politics, history, and morality. The book is highly descriptive, which can be a Catch-22, as you feel part of the world in the book, but the main story gets lost.
The characters are written very well and are all interesting. Each one has its own personality, ambiguities, and complexities. I think that they added a lot to the story without taking much away.
Handling a whole new sets of information and inconvenient truths are a big part of the story, something that all people have to deal with at some time or another. In this age of post-truth/disinformation and misinformation where it’s difficult to tell what reality actually is, a book like this could really make an impact and help people look into themselves instead of doubling and tripling down on stupidity.
