“Certain to bring [Watkins] comparisons not only with Stephen Crane, but with Hemingway and Remarque for its parallels with his clssic All Quiet on the Western Front . . .His virtuosic first novel won't be easily forgotten.” —John Blades, The Chicago Tribune

“An amazing tour-de-force . . . a pwerful book by a yourng writer of impressive imagination and talent.” —Robert Masello, Newsday

“This novel would be remarkable no matter who wrote it, but as the work of a twenty-three year old American, it is an amazement.” —Lee-Anne Schreiber, National Public Radio

“Daring and remarkably assured . . . provocative.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times