Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://booksneeze®.com/> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”MacArthur by Mitchell Yockelson is a biography of America's general, Douglas MacArthur, who is famous for the word's "I shall return," a promise to the Filipinos. MacArthur was a man who kept his promises, and strove to live the life of a gentleman, to live honorably, like his forefathers. This novel was his story from childhood to training at West Point to the Philippines to marriage and fatherhood. His life is a tale of dutiful loyalty to the people he loved in the two countries he served, the United States of America and the Philippines. The whole world was honored to have such a man as America's general.
MacArthur was my first biography this year, and I didn't know what to expect. In my history class, we had learned some of the basics about MacArthur, but I'm glad I got to go more in depth into his life. I really, truly, enjoyed this book. It allowed me to appreciate the struggles of the men who fought and died in war.
This was my first book by Yockelson. The beginning was rocky, but he held my attention and presented the MacArthur's life as a true biography, as it should be presented. I am glad it was presented as it was, not as fiction, which I feel would diminish the point of the book. I am not a great fan of biographies, but Yockelson put out a good one.
The novel portrays the protagonist and his family as following God. It describes MacArthur as a faithful man. He was loyal to his country, and to God. His faith was not uncommon during his time, because many men find God in the midst of war.
I would recommend MacArthur to people interested in history, or those who just want to get a look at this man's life story.
