The Macdonalds of Cedar Park - Paperback

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by A. E. MacDonald (Author)

The family enjoyed skiing and shopping on Saturday. However, their peaceful routine was shattered on Sunday, December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese forces. The surprise attack shocked the nation, sparking fear, uncertainty, and outrage across America. The country swiftly came together to support the war effort.

Amid this national mobilization, Donald "Mac" Macdonald is recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, a super-secret assignment that fills him with both pride and anxiety over its dangerous possibilities. Bertha, his wife, manages air-raid drills and blackout rules, oversees rationing and a victory garden, and collects rubber, tin, and grease-all while shouldering the weight of Mac's secret. She endures loneliness and fears for Mac's safety, determined to remain strong for her family. Their eldest son, Sonny, anticipates being drafted, feeling a mix of nerves and eagerness to join friends in the 10th Mountain Division. He seeks recommendations, hoping to prove himself while fearing what lies ahead. The youngest, Ig, prepares for high school, becomes a Manhattan Project messenger in Boston, and, at 15, earns a special license to deliver groceries and support his mother and grandmother. Ig takes pride in helping but feels the burden of new responsibilities and nostalgia for childhood's simplicity.

Through these years of upheaval, sacrifice, secrecy, and resilience, the Macdonald family has been shaped. Mac uses his engineering skills to help bring soldiers home, carrying the heavy burden of his confidential work. Sonny struggles to survive battles in Italy's Apennine Mountains, showing courage despite his fear and observing the loss of those around him. Ig's carefree teenage years are spent working and going to school, learning the meaning of responsibility. Bertha is the glue that holds the family together, hoping the secrecy is worth the sacrifices. By the war's end, the family faces unexpected losses, but their endurance and unity stand as a testament to their strength amid uncertainty and hardship.

Number of Pages: 384

Dimensions: 0.85 x 9 x 6 IN

Publication Date: October 14, 2025