This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Born in Forres in Morayshire, Scotland on Christmas Day 1956 I lived there until 1966, a rich and happy childhood spent with 3 Brothers and 2 Sisters. My favourite memories are of the time the family spent with our cousins, the adventures and the happiness you only find in the innocence of youth.
In 1966 the Family moved to Kelso in Roxburghshire near the border with England, and I fumbled my way through the early teens whilst failing badly at school. I worked as an apprentice butcher but I knew there was no future for me in that, so I joined the British Army at 17. That was, despite everything the decision that turned my life, I got an education, learned discipline and became responsible for my actions, in short they made me a man. 18 years service had a severe Physical and Mental impact on my health and these are the source of the emotions I have used in my writings, there are some very raw emotions to face in my Poetry but I make no apology for being honest. I began writing Poetry as a youngster and have had to use this art form as a management tool for Combat Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That does not diminish my love for the written word.
Reviewed by Stephanie Dagg for Readers' Favorite
"Every Soldier Needs A Soul: Poems of a Soldier 3" by David McDonald is a remarkable collection of war poetry. It’s the last in a trilogy by this poet, who began writing poetry as part of the treatment for his combat related post-traumatic stress disorder following his many years of service in the armed forces. It marks a return home of the soldier. We tend to associate war poetry only with the World Wars and long-dead poets such as Wilfred Owen, but it is still an active genre today as, unfortunately, we’re still fighting wars. “Is this what is man’s achievement ...?” asks the poet in ‘An Ending’, and he goes on to say ‘Can we not find better use, find peace ...”? If only we could. Soldier-poets like David McDonald remind us in the powerful, concentrated language necessary for poems of the horrible suffering that wars inflict, both mentally and physically on victor and vanquished alike.
There are poems in this book about the supporting women at home, the brave child at her father’s funeral, burying a brother, an old soldier ending up on the streets, flashbacks and unseen injuries, to give a very few examples. These poems range widely in style and content, from anger to love, from the fanciful to the downright gritty, from the horrific to the charming and witty. My own favourite is “An Angel is Waiting for You” in which the poet describes how an angel will look after a soldier who has died in action “with gentle care”.
You have to read McDonald’s poems. They’re modern, heartfelt, imaginative, entertaining and skilful. You’ll understand that “a soldier is not different to you”, just someone doing a job where he is trained “to do the worst that a man can”. It’s a tough lesson but so beautifully taught by this poet.
