Forged Through Fire by Mark McDonough – Review

About the Book

When Mark McDonough was a teen, a catastrophic fire claimed the lives of his mother and younger brother. It also left Mark with burns on over 65 percent of his body. During a long and painful recovery, his faltering faith in God was strengthened by a remarkable near-death experience. Inspired to pursue a career as a plastic surgeon to help those who suffer as he has, McDonough has overcome numerous other adversities on his journey, including addiction and a stroke. Now he shares his incredible true story of survival and perseverance to bring hope and healing to those dealing with great physical and emotional pain.

Anyone who has suffered or watched a loved one suffer from a personal trauma, disease, or loss that has tested or stolen their faith and exhausted their emotional resources will find real hope in this redemptive story.

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In My Opinion

Wow, what a story Mark McDonough shares in Forged Through Fire. And none of it is fiction.

As McDonough recounts the tragic house fire that resulting in the deaths of one of his brothers and his mother and left him with burns over 65% of his body, readers get a taste of the pain and suffering this family experienced. The way the author weaves chapters of his family life (including stories of his childhood, a look into the family dynamics, friendships, and more) with his suffering, surgeries, recovery, and near-death experience helps alleviate some of the heaviness of the descriptive process to heal his body.

Yet, I found myself shaking my head in sympathy at how much this family had suffered only for McDonough to drop another tragedy or fact about the fire I didn’t see coming.

The testimony of this family confirms that God does not promise His followers a life excluded from pain. McDonough’s faith is not perfect, he’s had periods spent away from God or in the desert, but he’s learned to lean on God through hardships, pain, sorrow, and disappointment. It’s a testimony I won’t soon forget.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.