Chapter 5, "Joy to My Youth" Summary and Analysis

The Carroll family returns to Washington from Germany in 1960. James drives across the Potomac on a summer evening to pick up his father, who is working late. General Carroll exits the Pentagon and gets in the passenger side of the car. James drives with his father alone in the Lincoln. He is in college now and working for the summer as an FBI cryptanalyst's aid. James is proud to show his father how well he can drive. He looks forward to the time they are alone on the way home. It is not yet midnight as they drive through town. They see the lights of Bolling Air Force Base and illuminated Washington Monument and Capitol dome as they drive home. James reflects silently on his return to Washington as a college...