A Young Man on the Front Line: Lessons of War

by Elaine I. Makas

A YOUNG MAN ON THE FRONT LINE: Lessons of War, is the true account of a young man amidst the brutality of the battlefield. 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 St. 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.

Genres: History

206 pages, Hardcover

First published December 7, 2020

About the author

Dr. Elaine Makas is excited to debut her first novel! Reading and writing have been her passion since she can remember. After finally retiring from the world of education she has devoted her time to tell the wonderful, important, and heartwarming story of her dad’s battlefield journey during the Southern Invasion of Germany in 1944. Elaine has based her life values on those her dad taught her throughout all the wonderful years together. The two also shared a deep love and respect for history.

Elaine is a strong advocate for education. She spent over 40 years in the educational capacity of a professor of educational leadership at the University of Michigan, public school teacher, administrator, director of instructional services, and teacher professional development. Elaine was a private coach for failing schools in the areas of curriculum and accreditation through her company Curriculum Connections, LLC.

Elaine completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Oakland University in 2010. She has a Specialist degree from Saginaw Valley State University in educational leadership, a Master’s from Central Michigan University in school guidance, and a Bachelor’s from Western Michigan University in history.

Elaine authored two educational books: From Mandate to Achievement (Corwin, 2010) and Career Pathways: Preparing Students for Life co-authored with Pam Ill (Corwin, 2004).

Elaine is very proud of her four sons, Mark (Rochelle), Benjamin, Jacob, and Samuel, and her three grandchildren, Sarah, Ethan, and Joshua. She enjoys life with Fred and engaging in writing, oil painting, nature, horseback riding, and traveling.

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all learn about WW2 in high school including dates, Allies versus Axis, the Holocaust etc. Certainly this is important but it can never reveal the true tragedy of war. However, we can get a much better look if we see this war through the eyes of a soldier. My hope would be to have students read this book during their learning of WW2.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful account of a World War II soldier who was deeply impacted by his service, learning what it was to be a man and a leader, and then learning how to return from war.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real-life story that can open your eyes to what war is

Soldiers in movies and books are usually depicted as heroes - brave souls that are drafted against their will, but quickly ""taste"" the blood of the enemy and become well-oiled killing machines.
A Young Man on the Front Line shows the real face of war thought the eyes of a young soldier and his band of brothers. It really did open my eyes of the horrors of the bloodiest conflict of the last century.

I can recommend the book to anyone, who thinks that what we see on the silver screen is real - the reality is much more complex, as Elaine Makas has shown in her book!

[Books Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Young Man on the Front Line: Lessons of War by Elaine Makas Ph.D. is an excellent read. The author kept the authenticity of the military life and told a very compelling true story. WW II is indeed a very interesting and yet very tragic and emotional period. The author gave us a glimpse of a life of a soldier, how he survived, how he grew to be a man. I recommend this book.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elaine Makas’s account of her father and his fellow soldiers of the 63rd Infantry Division in WWII, enhanced with the many photos, maps, and especially the Lessons of War, was unforgettable.

We are so lucky to have had those young men who valiantly fought on the front lines. Elaine did an excellent job documenting their story.