title: The False Face of Evil
author: Blackwell, Minerva Wyche
description: The False Face of Evil is fiction inspired by a true story. It is a story of privilege, class, wealth, romance, and of obsession, and tragedy. It begins in exciting New York City in 1950, a more innocent time, with its skyscrapers and bright lights illuminating the city at night to its historic landmarks and nightclubs and the rich and famous. From Manhattan's high society, penthouses, and Southampton mansions to Fort Bragg Army Base in North Carolina, through a journey to the deep, dark trenches of South Vietnam. It spans twenty-five years to the turbulent end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Clarissa Kimberly Wagner, beautiful and talented, is a university graduate who moves to New York City to pursue her dream as a Radio City Rockette Dancer. As Clarissa's career takes off, she meets David Stephens, a scion from a wealthy and political family. She gives up her career to become a wife and mother. After almost fifteen years, David decides he does not want to be married anymore, and they divorce. Clarissa moves with their teenage daughter back to her hometown where she volunteers at Fort Bragg Army Base in North Carolina. She meets Major General Scott Morgan, and her life goes in a different direction, as they fall in love and get married.