Autobiography of a Baby Killer

<p>Thomas is born out of wedlock to a wartime nurse and left in the care of a black woman. His mother married returns at the end of the war and takes him to live with her. A Marine veteran Stosh is an abusive alcoholic with PTSD. Thomas is surrounded by poverty and anger. His mother's health declines. Joins the Navy at seventeen flies as an aircrewman during Vietnam experiences death of shipmates boozes. Transferred to the boredom of Shore Duty drinking worsens he is sent to a navy alcohol ward. Later he becomes friends with a screenwriter who encourages him to write he becomes deeply introspective. His stepfather dies returning home finds he has been left property and a substantial insurance policy. He writes meets a painter who encourages him to turn it into art. Moving to the Philippines he marries but is never able to put aside his endless mourning.</p>