A Young Man on the Front Line
Description
A Young Man on the Front Line: Lessons of War by Elaine Makas, Ph.D. is a true story of a young man on the front line of war. The story chronicles his experience of becoming a soldier, enduring his soldiering days, and reconciling his life in the aftermath of his war experiences.
As a reader, you become a fellow traveler with U.S. Army Sergeant Chris Makas on his journey of war, trauma, adaptation, and self-acceptance while contemplating "lessons of war"-all within the historic realities of World War II.
It begins when he's 18 years old and drafted into the U.S. Army, leading five men on far-away battlefields where he witnessed the death and destruction as they advanced through France into Germany. He braved bloody battles, frigid winters, and gut-wrenching trauma, to help lead the Allies into victory. That included helping to liberate a Nazi death camp and remaining in Europe for a year to stabilize the country.
After the war, Sgt. Makas returns home to Metro Detroit, Michigan, where he marries, raises a family, and works as a mechanic at Ford Motor Company. All the while, he savors the peace and joy of civilian life, though haunted by the trauma of war. The story continues until his dying days as he reflects on his life.
Throughout the book, each chapter offers "Lessons of War" that are applicable to modern life. These simple lessons are inspired by battlefield experiences. The book also has study questions at the back to help teachers guide classroom discussions about the war and its lessons. The book also includes maps and other graphics, as well as many photographs, that provide a robust learning experience.
A Young Man on the Front Line: Lessons of War is a powerfully written memoir and a touching tribute from a daughter for her father. After growing up hearing his stories of war, survival, and appreciation of peacetime civilian and family life, Elaine I. Makas, Ph.D., penned this heartfelt and poignant account of her father's life through his eyes. She masterfully captures his voice and perspective through the excitement, then terrible disillusionment, of going to World War II at age 18. This book is a beautiful tribute to daughters and fathers, veterans, world history, and family love.
READ AN EXCERPT:
"Our orders were clear, "Take the high ground." Simple. Take the high ground. The advantage is always to the persons on the high ground. We attacked. We were beaten back. We attacked again. We were beaten back. We attacked again - same result.
We looked at our Captain. "They're too strong Captain. We can't take the ground."
For which the Captain replied the words forever opening all our eyes to war, "We keep trying until none of us are left standing." That was the moment. We awoke to war. The moment we became soldiers. The next time we attacked we made sure to take our objective.
...later, I realized the internal damage of the day. At the age of 20, I was both a hero and a killer."
