This Novel is Pat Conroy's first it takes us into the family of a fighter pilot. Bull Meecham is the epitomeof the marine officer as tough a disciplinarian at home as at the base.This is a story of a boy's determination to be himself It is violent, shocking, funny ,moving, and overwhelmingly real. From the early pageswith Bull,s wife and children waiting at the airport to welcome the Great Santini back into their midst.to the bitter sweet ending.(Book and Dust jacket are in like new shape Flat signed by author.