Duncan's War - Douglas Bond

Apathy, a disease that infects the church today, but was unheard of in the 17th century, a time where King Jesus reigned supreme in the lives of his followers. This is a time in history before the Scottish Covenanters came to America for freedom, a time when serving Christ, and not the Church, was punishable by death, or worse.

Duncan’s War follows the lives of the M'Kethe family as they endure brutal persecution at the hands of King James and Charles. Duncan is the eldest child in the M’Kethe household, devoted to God, family, and longing to see his country restored to the glory it once was. As the story unfolds, we see this brave family wrestle with honoring God and applying His word while living amidst a government that is trying to obliterate Christianity. Yet the M’Kethes hold onto the Lord’s promises and pray the Lord spare the land they love so dearly.

This book ended up being a breath of fresh air for me. While the book has a solid plot, steady pace, and has a family that is easy to love, I was more enthralled with the strong Christian themes portrayed throughout its pages. From family worship scenes to a father answering his son’s tough questions about serving God in chaotic times, the book never faltered. It delivered truth and power, clearly showing the differences between good and evil and how hard it is to obey the Biblical command of loving your enemies.

I was made keenly aware of how easy we have it in the United States, after this book, compared to the fierce persecutions the devout Scots endured. As a reader, I was particularly struck with what I would do, faced with a similar situation. This book forces you to look at the scriptures, and put yourself in their shoes.

Sandi M’Kethe, the father, remained my favorite character throughout the entire series. This is a solid man of God, one worth emulating. His children watch his actions through the book, not always understanding them, but in the end learning to appreciate them. They know, without a doubt, that their father will always obey Christ first before any mortal man. He never compromises his integrity in the midst of war. Sandi clearly keeps his biblical perspective, remembering that life on earth is not the only one we live for. How we live and die shows to Whom we give honor.

Content-wise, there was nothing wrong with this book. The atrocities spoken of in the story are never fully expounded, so that you do not feel violated. It discusses spiked heads and other such gruesome pictures, but goes no further.

I would especially recommend this book as a good read for any family studying the American Revolution, as many Scottish Covenanters were the foundation of the US. Mr. Bond has a little section in the back of the book that alerts the reader to who were nonfiction characters, and which were real people. He doesn’t just stop there, though. He also gives a list of the events that were real and how he changed them.

This book is a very valuable addition to any library, be it a family one, or a personal one. Biblical principles are clearly depicted in these pages, and young children will be encouraged to emulate them.