March 12, 2010 1:17 PM
Got a Marine in your life? Read Keeping Faith
What a great book! I finished it months ago - and then Tripp read it too. It's been sitting on my desk waiting to get reviewed, so in the interest of making sure the right people are reading it, I'm just going to give this short five-thumbs-up recommendation.
First let me say, I am not fond of Frankie Schaeffer. At all. But he is a really great writer and I have read many of his books. I picked up Keeping Faith: A Father-Son Story About Love and the U.S. Marine Corps
I LOVED this book, which taught me so much about the Marine Corps. What is interesting is that Frankie is a parent who would never have imagined having a son in the military, much less the Marine Corps. Frankie, son of the famous Francis and Edith Schaeffer grew up in a chalet in Switzerland, spending the summers in Italy, so he has a rather aloof relationship with the U.S.
His son John grew up in New England and attended an upscale private school. John's decision to become a Marine came out of the blue and was somewhat embarrassing for Frankie.
Keeping Faith is the story of Frankie and John's evolving relationship and growing understanding of and respect for each other. The book alternates passages written by father and son. John is a good writer too, and his style is distinctly different from his father's - including his poetry - so his voice is authentic.
While I had been vaguely proud of Zachary for choosing the Marine Corps, after reading Keeping Faith, I was completely committed to becoming the Mother of a Marine :)
If a Marine is part of your life - or if you would like to see how a father and son with two different temperaments continue to love each other through thick and thin - you should read this book.
There is one copy at Paperback Swap, so if you've been thinking of joining, now is a good time - you get a credit for one book as soon as you list ten of your own.
Check the library? Or copies at Amazon for less than 5.
Posted in Books, Military matters | Permalink
Comments
I'm married to a Marine. IT's a different but GOOD life. I snagged that book on PBS. Thanks for the review!
Posted by: Melissa | March 12, 2010 7:59 PM
Read it years ago! Truly wonderful book :)
Posted by: jennifer | March 13, 2010 8:34 AM
