Father of the Man

by Eric Freeman

Edward Finlay recalls his life’s odyssey beginning in the 1890s on his family ranch in rural Montana. His childhood revolves around three people: his father, a cattle rancher; his mother, who is determined for her son to receive a modern education; and his best friend, a boy from the nearby Crow Indian Reservation, who introduces him to a fading warrior society. When Edward refuses to break off a teenage romance with an older woman from the reservation, his mother arranges to send Edward far away to the newly opened Stanford University.

There, the San Francisco earthquake completely changes the direction of his future. After volunteering in a U.S. Army field hospital, he decides to become a surgeon. Soon, he begins his medical career and a life filled with friendship, new love, and extraordinary adventure as he brushes with history across two continents.

Edward confronts many adversaries during his journey: dormitory bullies, traitors to the British Empire and its monarchy, and even a child psychopath. The greatest of these villains are the promoters of eugenics, which threaten his intellectually disabled son, and the Germans at Orhdruf (the first concentration camp liberated by the U.S. Army in WW2). As a son, husband, father, pioneering vascular surgeon, and veteran of two world wars, he attempts to understand the inequities of fortune and the inexplicable cruelty he encounters.

390 pages, Hardcover

Published January 28, 2022

Reviews

[Roxanne Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father of the Man is a novel that redefines love and courage again and again as its protagonist Edward Finlay grows from a Montana rancher’s immature, rather wild son with an uncertain future, to an eminent surgeon and advisor. Along the way, Edward is a witness to history. His adventurous exploits, ardent nature (yes, there is romance), and service to country in two wars provide as many surprising tests of valor as does his medical career. From the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 to Europe’s darkest days following World War II, Edward’s curiosity, bravery, and self-doubt lead him forward, though never on a straight or easy path. His childhood friend Thomas Crow, whom tribal elders call Dreams the Truth, predicts an unlikely fate for Edward. Will it be fulfilled? I greatly enjoyed finding out and would recommend Father of the Man as a book well grounded in character and also a heck of a story.

[Debby Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I discovered this book by looking for another book ..read about it and decided to read it..it is just a wonderful story about a man growing up and all he goes thur..I loved the development of the characters and the language that the author gave..I did not want the story to end but the end was so good..thank you for such a good story..I purchased this and have sent it to my 81yr old aunt she will love this story..thank you

[John Kounas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent writing and Content

Enjoyable reading with many well written events. The author provide enough description and detail to keep you interested without over burdening you with excess causing you forget or lose intention of the plot. This quality enhances interest encourages the reader to continue. His skill serves same action one has to their first sip of a good wine. Keep reading

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel that reads like an autobiography.