Good to see SOLDIER IN THE RAIN is back in print. It never shoulda left. I vividly remember reading this book (a mass market paperback) in 1964 when I was stationed at Sinop, Turkey (atop an extinct volcano). The film version arrived at the post theater about the time I finished reading the novel. Yeah, I remember well the poignant yet hilarious story of Eustis and Maxwell, and that other guy who wanted to be a runner. What the hell was his name? The film touched the hearts and funny bones of every GI in that theater the night it played. And when Eustis learned of the death of his beloved Robert, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. Yeah, really! All those macho GIs surreptitiously wiping their eyes in the dark theater. I know, I know. This is a BOOK review. But the film was extremely faithful to the book, and McQueen, Gleason, Hutton and Weld were all examples of perfect casting. Someone else has already written here that William Goldman knew how to tell a story. Amen. The Cold War army story is pretty damn well represented here, with huge dollops of humor thrown in. And wait, oh yeah. After the film played the theater, my paperback went into heavy circulation all over post. I never got it back. Oh well ... Very highly recommended. ( )