Guns of the Lion: Faith & Freedom, Book 2

I must admit that this book didn't look very interesting to me when I first saw it, but because I am a fan of Bond, I bought it anyway. When I started reading it, my mind about the book quickly changed in the suspence and adventure this book held. Gavin Crookshank wanted to obey the Bible's command to honor the king, but during the Jacobite Rebellion, he is not sure who his rightful king is. The plot complicates when he is assigned to become a double agent. This book taught me that the old saying is true: you can't judge a book by its cover.

Gavin Crookshank, great-great grandson of Sandy M'Kethe and a distant cousin of those M'Kethes who immigrated to the Americas during the Killing Times, is unwittingly caught in the last attempt by the House of Stuart to take back the English throne. Conscripted into the English army, Gavin refuses to wear English uniform and is sent to sea aboard the HMS Lion, where he distinguishes himself in battle. Because he is Scottish and can speak Gaelic, the captain's appreciation results in Gavin's being ordered to join the army of Charles Stuart, "Bonnie Prince Charlie" to his followers, and to report any information he learns to a contact in King George II's army. With his own family having suffered under James II, Gavin has no particular love for the House of Stuart. His first run-in with the so-called "Bonnie Prince" ends with Gavin nearly being hanged without trial, and further experiences reveal Charles to be little more than a buffoon. But Gavin is also a Scottish nationalist, one who opposes the Act of Union and feels no loyalty to George II. Gavin has no personal stakes in the quarrel over the throne and would prefer not becoming involved. But he is given little choice. Going with the MacDonald clan as they join Charles, Gavin finds their chieftain, Dugald MacDonald, to be a worthy man, one to whom he wants to be faithful. But because his contact in George II's army is also a friend, Gavin finds himself reluctantly playing the role of a double agent, giving information to both sides in an attempt to postpone bloodshed. Whose side will he eventually take? and will he live to tell the tale? The plot of this book is a vast improvement over that in "Guns of Thunder." It flows extremely well, and I found myself drawn to Gavin more than to any of Bond's previous characters. The frame story, in which American-born Ian M'Kethe receives the main story in a letter, fits a little awkwardly with the rest of the novel. I understand Bond's intent--to tie this story in with events in New England at the same time, and to provide a little moral commentary at the end--but it seems somewhat strange for Gavin to write an book-length letter about his personal miseries to family members he's never met. At any rate, the transition between the two is at least brief. And the close look at the events surrounding the 1745 Jacobite rising is fascinating for anyone with even a passing interest in Scottish history. Bond fully captures the social conflicts and moral ambiguities of the period. Aside from (oddly) a singular blanked-out curse word, parents need not worry about inappropriate content. They do need to worry about their children reading past midnight--and should understand that if they themselves start the book, they will not be able to put it down.

Douglas Bond is one of my family's favorite authors. This is book two in the Faith & Freedom Trilogy, which is the continuation of the Crown & Covenant Trilogy. We loved this book! The story here shifts back to Scotland to pick up what has transpired in the portion of the M'Kethe family which remained there. The bulk of the book is in the form a lengthy letter from Gavin in Scotland which is being read by Ian, the main character of the previous volume, in New England. As always, the story is tied into key historical events of the times. In this case the issue is the attempt of Bonnie Prince Charlie to regain the British throne. Gavin is conscripted into the English army where he finds himself engaged in the naval battle where England sought to stop Charles journey to Scotland as well as in the various battles between the English Redcoats and the Charles' Scottish Highlanders. This culminates in the fateful Battle of Culloden. Bond's characteristic action and compelling story telling are here again. We found ourselves not wanting to stop each night and hurrying to get back to reading the next evening. The new aspect in this story is the reality of ambiguous situations where it is unclear what path is the right path. Gavin struggles with competing claims to his loyalty, stuck between two kings neither of which is particularly inspiring or righteous. This rings true to the historical situation as well as to many situations that arise in our own lives. The psalms also play a major part once again. This time it is particularly Psalm 100 in the metrical version by William Kethe ("All People that on Earth Do Dwell"). As Gavin sings and reflects on this Psalm, much profitable theological reflection emerges. We heartily commend this book to you and your family. It is a fun read and beneficial. I have also begun recommending this book and the related series to young men in college as good examples of growing into manhood.