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The Dark Side of the Sun
During the course of two wars, brave people fight through the darkness to discover that where there is hope and courage, there is also honor and love. Living in Detroit during the Great Depression, the Schmidt family struggles to maintain loyalty to their adopted country while being drawn into the seductive shadow of Nazi Germany. One by one, they are at the center of a top-secret plot that could change the course of World War II. Years later, two young Vietnam veterans, William O'Brien and Susan Johnson, try to find love and build a family while they struggle with the traumas they both suffered in the war. These stories lead the reader to Michigan, Germany, the battlefields of South Vietnam, Texas, Oklahoma, and finally to Minnesota.
464 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2018
About the author
Michael B. Dardis
1 book2 followersA lifelong storyteller and world traveler, Michael Dardis specializes in twentieth century European history, American history, and military history. After receiving a University of Minnesota degree in history and geography, Michael went on to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War where he was awarded a Purple Heart and the US Army Commendation Medal for Valor.
When not writing fiction, Michael stays involved in national and local government activities, serving on several commissions for the Twin Cities, Minnesota where he and his wife, Nancy, have lived for 42 years of marriage. He is a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations Minnesota, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Minnesota Alumni Association, and the Minnesota Historical Society. Michael also works with Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People, Cornerstone Housing for Women, and University of Minnesota Foundation to provide academic scholarships.
Michael Dardis’s first novel The Dark Side of the Sun is a historical fiction that will be available fall 2018.
When not writing fiction, Michael stays involved in national and local government activities, serving on several commissions for the Twin Cities, Minnesota where he and his wife, Nancy, have lived for 42 years of marriage. He is a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations Minnesota, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Minnesota Alumni Association, and the Minnesota Historical Society. Michael also works with Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People, Cornerstone Housing for Women, and University of Minnesota Foundation to provide academic scholarships.
Michael Dardis’s first novel The Dark Side of the Sun is a historical fiction that will be available fall 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 4, 2023
This is a debut novel, but Dardis shows a lot of experience in the structure. The narrative uses the split-timeline presentation that I find intriguing. We get a glimpse of the past then jump to the present. I always feel more tension and more engagement as I wonder how the stories will connect. Here, we move between Germany in the lead-up to WWII and the early sixties in America. The span in generations, countries, wars, and characters is reminiscent of Ken Follett in his Century Trilogy, though Follett has never migrated to a split timeline.
The book packs a daunting number of storylines: a Nazi secret mission in America worthy of Clive Cussler, a young patriot’s combat tour of Vietnam evocative of W.E.B. Griffin’s novels, as well as familial intrigue, romance, and dark secrets. Here one glimpses a less-experienced writer: if I could have advised Dardis when he was beginning this work, I’d tell him to write more, to make it several books, to let us enjoy each of these stories to the fullest. As it is, I felt rushed in places, the sense the author knows his book is already 120,000 words and doesn’t want to make it longer. At the same time the author is no doubt worried about whether he’s providing enough substance. Definitely not a concern: the book compresses material for at least a trilogy.
The book packs a daunting number of storylines: a Nazi secret mission in America worthy of Clive Cussler, a young patriot’s combat tour of Vietnam evocative of W.E.B. Griffin’s novels, as well as familial intrigue, romance, and dark secrets. Here one glimpses a less-experienced writer: if I could have advised Dardis when he was beginning this work, I’d tell him to write more, to make it several books, to let us enjoy each of these stories to the fullest. As it is, I felt rushed in places, the sense the author knows his book is already 120,000 words and doesn’t want to make it longer. At the same time the author is no doubt worried about whether he’s providing enough substance. Definitely not a concern: the book compresses material for at least a trilogy.
September 30, 2018
Dark Side of the Sun engages the reader with a weaving of stories about two families in Germany and America from pre-World War II to post Vietnam. In a surprise twist I did not anticipate, both families are brought together in a conclusion that, while leaving several questions unanswered, delivers what is promised on the cover of Dardis' novel: "Where there is love and courage, there is honor and hope."
Especially intriguing for me was a pre-WWII plot by Hitler and his Nazis to smuggle in German bombers, part by part, and actually build an airstrip in the heart of the United States, in a plan to bomb strategic locations crucial to the American war effort. All this under the guise of a mining operation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
A vivid description of the life of a U.S. soldier in the jungle of Vietnam, told from first hand experience, enhanced my appreciation for the sacrifice made by the men and women who gave more than we can understand. It expands the reader's understanding of what the author calls "the stench of war." Not forgotten are the difficulties Nam vets often encountered upon returning to their home country.
History is brought to life through the lives of the very human characters as they experience hardship, love, bitter disappointment, almost impossible decisions, and the magnified details of life lived in a time of war. I felt the author captured the essence of the way in which life values brought the individuals and families through these difficult times.
Thumbs up on this one! This reader hopes that Dardis continues to bring history to us in such a readable and thoroughly enjoyable fashion.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest reveiw.
Especially intriguing for me was a pre-WWII plot by Hitler and his Nazis to smuggle in German bombers, part by part, and actually build an airstrip in the heart of the United States, in a plan to bomb strategic locations crucial to the American war effort. All this under the guise of a mining operation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
A vivid description of the life of a U.S. soldier in the jungle of Vietnam, told from first hand experience, enhanced my appreciation for the sacrifice made by the men and women who gave more than we can understand. It expands the reader's understanding of what the author calls "the stench of war." Not forgotten are the difficulties Nam vets often encountered upon returning to their home country.
History is brought to life through the lives of the very human characters as they experience hardship, love, bitter disappointment, almost impossible decisions, and the magnified details of life lived in a time of war. I felt the author captured the essence of the way in which life values brought the individuals and families through these difficult times.
Thumbs up on this one! This reader hopes that Dardis continues to bring history to us in such a readable and thoroughly enjoyable fashion.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest reveiw.
September 19, 2018
Few Americans are aware that the eastern tip of Lake Superior was known as the ‘jugular vein’ of the Allied forces in WWII. Here, virtually all American iron ore, essential to the war effort, was shipped through the Soo Locks on its way eastward to supply weapons and munitions factories in Detroit, Cleveland and elsewhere. The locks were a vulnerable pinch point, and were heavily fortified to thwart a German attack or sabotage that could cripple American wartime production in one blow.
That is the historical backdrop for Michael Dardis’s engaging debut novel, The Dark Side of the Sun. Dardis weaves a propulsive tale of honor and courage, love and hope, treachery and deceit, spanning three generations from pre-WWII through the Viet Nam conflict. The author’s facility with military history and his first hand experience in Viet Nam provide a degree of authenticity and details often missing in historical fiction accounts of military matters.
The multi-generational plot follows the fortunes of the O’Briens and Schmidts, two American families, only one of which is loyal to America in WWII. While it would be presumptuous to equate anyone’s debut novel to the works of the late Philip Roth, The Dark Side of the Sun’s descriptions of families’ wartime experience on the home front will remind readers of Roth’s compelling novel, The Plot Against America. The Dark Side of the Sun should appeal to a broad audience of historical fiction fans, and especially to those interested in the American experience during, and following WWII.
That is the historical backdrop for Michael Dardis’s engaging debut novel, The Dark Side of the Sun. Dardis weaves a propulsive tale of honor and courage, love and hope, treachery and deceit, spanning three generations from pre-WWII through the Viet Nam conflict. The author’s facility with military history and his first hand experience in Viet Nam provide a degree of authenticity and details often missing in historical fiction accounts of military matters.
The multi-generational plot follows the fortunes of the O’Briens and Schmidts, two American families, only one of which is loyal to America in WWII. While it would be presumptuous to equate anyone’s debut novel to the works of the late Philip Roth, The Dark Side of the Sun’s descriptions of families’ wartime experience on the home front will remind readers of Roth’s compelling novel, The Plot Against America. The Dark Side of the Sun should appeal to a broad audience of historical fiction fans, and especially to those interested in the American experience during, and following WWII.
December 23, 2018
This novel is not a 'war' novel. Instead, it is a story of the impact of war on individuals and how that experience changes their lives and forces them to find a new normal.
The pre-WWII stories in Germany following two families on vastly divergent paths. The Vietnam segment includes the sights, sounds, even smells as the main character works to find balance. The arrogant political decisions to wage war (in either timeframe) force the characters into unimaginable hardships. The experiences of the author bring authenticity to his scenes. I see this playing out again in our current political climate.
This novel includes the impact on both the men and the women. It is surprisingly touching and insightful when describing the experiences of the nurses in Vietnam. It is also therapeutic to both the returning soldiers and the families struggling to understand the changes in their loved ones.
Truly a visit to the dark side of the sun, but a light at the end of the tunnel.
The pre-WWII stories in Germany following two families on vastly divergent paths. The Vietnam segment includes the sights, sounds, even smells as the main character works to find balance. The arrogant political decisions to wage war (in either timeframe) force the characters into unimaginable hardships. The experiences of the author bring authenticity to his scenes. I see this playing out again in our current political climate.
This novel includes the impact on both the men and the women. It is surprisingly touching and insightful when describing the experiences of the nurses in Vietnam. It is also therapeutic to both the returning soldiers and the families struggling to understand the changes in their loved ones.
Truly a visit to the dark side of the sun, but a light at the end of the tunnel.
October 1, 2018
A poignant story of how the unknown history of the past, can entwine the future!
Through the lives of two families the book spans through pre-WWII through post-Vietnam. The story weaves between the eras telling a story of the lives affected by war, deception, and separation. It is through these trials that the truth of a family’s history is discovered and a chilling plot of espionage discovered that could have ravaged the US involvement in WWII. Through the twists and turns of the story line you are kept immersed in an intriguing story that is hard to put down. Even at the end, you know that there is more to come!
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Through the lives of two families the book spans through pre-WWII through post-Vietnam. The story weaves between the eras telling a story of the lives affected by war, deception, and separation. It is through these trials that the truth of a family’s history is discovered and a chilling plot of espionage discovered that could have ravaged the US involvement in WWII. Through the twists and turns of the story line you are kept immersed in an intriguing story that is hard to put down. Even at the end, you know that there is more to come!
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2019
A fast paced and entertaining yarn. The author was able to seamlessly weave compelling stories taking place in the WW2 European theater and the UP of Michigan and following family threads to the Vietnam War. His characters are made all the more real as they apparently have been taken from the author’s own experiences. Move over Clive Cussler. I enjoyed the twists and turns the author took me on.
October 11, 2021
I enjoyed this. An interesting family saga
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews