| Summary: | A young African American adolescent named Lion is forced to leave his hometown of Rivertown, and join the navy. While in the navy, Lion acts an enforcer and collector for another sailor who runs an illegal money-lending operation on the ship. Lion also learns how to box and manages to fight his way to the Fifth Fleet championships. After winning the championship fight, the captain of the ship uses his influence to place Lion in a very competitive commissioning program. With the chance of becoming an officer, Lion changes his behavior, leading to serious conflict with old allies. He escapes the ship, but not unscathed. The psychological effects resonate after he graduates from college. These psychological scars are played out in his relationship with the love of his life, a young woman named Nicole, who comes from a wealthy black family.
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