As Germany grapples with the ignominy of defeat in war, a tender love affair blossoms in Ulma - a tiny, exquisite village untouched by the ravages of war. The chace one-night encounter between Robin and Emily - dubbed by many as the village whore- is so strong and passionate that its memories last a lifetime. When Robin, many years later, as a senior air force officer returns to Ulma to claim his lost love, he meets Namita, a lokalike of Emily, as stunningly beautiful, but much younger. This must be real love; for Robin and Nomita fall instantly in love. Love is consummated in marriage between Robin and Nomita, despite a fifteen-year age difference. And there hangs a poignant tale of love and fidelity - and infidelity - that the author S B Gopal skillfully constructs against the backdrop of a Germany that is being painstakingly rebuilt after the devastating World War II. A Road to Nowhere is an intricate story with complex characters whose desire for wanton pleasure seems to match - and in some uncanny way - feed their passion for business and success. In his debut novel, Gopal, an aviator and a former senior Army officer (Maj Gen Shively Bal Gopal in real life), wittingly or unwittingly, provides gems of information on commercial aviation and shipping ... and describes how to build a big business empire from a small beginning, in lucid and simple language.