During the period covered in "Grand Expectations" by James T. Patterson, notable figures like Dr. Spock and Reverend William Sloane Coffin publicly urged young men to resist the military draft. Their advocacy was seen as opposition to the war effort, reflecting widespread discontent and protests among certain segments of society.
As a result of their outspoken stance, both Dr. Spock and Coffin faced legal action through indictments. Their actions and the subsequent legal consequences highlighted the intense divisions and resistance to the war during that era, representing the broader anti-war sentiment prevalent among many Americans.