The Sand Pebbles, by Richard McKenna

This now-classic novel enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success when it was first published in 1962. The winner of the coveted Harper Prize, it was on the New York Times bestseller list for seven months and was made into a popular motion picture. Set in China on the eve of revolution, the book tells the story of an old U.S. Navy gunboat, the San Pablo, and her dedicated crew of “Sand Pebbles” on patrol in the far reaches of the Yangtze River to show the flag and protect American missionaries and businessmen from bandits. The arrival of machinist’s mate Jake Holman, a maverick and loner, dramatically alters the lives of the crew and of the people they have come to save. It is the story of old loyalties versus new values, of violence and tenderness, tragedy and humor, and it engages the reader from the first line to the last.

The Sand Pebbles takes place on the Yangtze in 1920s China, yet it is extremely applicable to the naval reader of today: It involves a riverine mission in which cultural sensitivity to the indigenous populace is crucial. As the Navy re-ups its riverine commitment, The Sand Pebbles achieves a relevance anew, in addition to its value as a timeless classic of U.S. Navy literature.

ISBN: 1557504466
Format: Paperback, 624 pages
Pub. Date: August 2000
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Other Formats: Hardcover, Digital

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