Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark Hertling, with his wife, Sue, spent nearly four decades in the US Army. Since retiring from the military, he has continued to study, teach, and write about leadership, character, and service while working with a variety of organizations.
In March 2026, Mark published If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal, which began as a journal written for his two young sons while he was deployed in combat. Decades later, he expanded his thoughts and turned the journal into a best-selling, award-winning book about leadership, character, emotion, family, and the lessons we hope to pass from one generation to the next.
A friend suggested that the lessons Mark had spent years sharing with adults might be just as valuable if introduced to children as they begin forming their own character and values. That suggestion inspired this book, which contains lessons that take a lifetime to understand—but it is never too early or too late to learn about how they contribute to being a good person.
Q: What inspired the idea behind your book?
A: A friend inspired the idea for a children’s book after reading my book If I Don't Return and telling me he wished there were a book with similar lessons he could read to his young children to help them begin their journey toward developing good character.
Coincidentally, over the past few years, I’ve also developed a tradition with two of our grandsons of drawing animals in various holiday settings—Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and others. The two grandsons think of an idea for a story, I draw the animals, and then all our grandchildren color the pictures before we staple them together in a book. Adam the Alligator is almost always a main character, probably because we took the grandchildren on a Florida swamp tour to see real alligators when they were very young, and they loved their experience.
I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book, and combining these family experiences with the idea of teaching young children important lessons about character seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Q: As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?
A: Simply, tell your story! Everyone has experiences, memories, or observations others might find interesting, and those stories can often offer insights or lessons that can help someone else. Think about what has been meaningful in your life, consider how it might help others, and then . . . write!
After that, find a good friend—preferably one who isn’t afraid to give you an honest critique—and ask for help polishing your work. I was fortunate to have a teacher many years ago who taught me how to write a memorable story. She also provided thoughtful, honest feedback that helped me improve. I’ve never forgotten those lessons.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Too many to mention! I love history, biographies of remarkable women and men, and, occasionally, a great work of fiction. I enjoy books that teach me something about people, their decisions, and the challenges they’ve faced.
When it comes to children’s books, my wife and I have always loved reading to our grandchildren. But they’re getting older now, and one of the great joys is that sometimes they read to us! Any book they read to us becomes an immediate favorite.
Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?
A: Oh, yes! Almost all the characters in A Walk Through the Zoo are based on real individuals—two of our grandsons, one of their friends, and their dog. Only Adam the Alligator is imaginary, although he has certainly become a familiar member of our family stories!
Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
A: Believe it or not, getting feedback on the first draft! I usually ask several people to read what I’ve written and tell me what works, what doesn’t, and what might be improved. I enjoy that process because it helps me see the story through someone else's eyes. Good feedback almost always makes the final product better.
Q: Do you believe that being a “good writer” is a developed skill or a natural talent?
A: I think it’s a little of both, but mostly a developed skill. Everyone has the natural ability to tell a story, although we all do it differently. Becoming a good writer requires learning how to bring that story to life for someone else. That takes practice, patience, a willingness to accept criticism, and plenty of rewriting. The story may come naturally, but the skill of telling it well must be developed.
Q: Do you have a favorite book, poem, TV, or movie quote?
A: “"Earn this.” From Saving Private Ryan.
Just two words, but they carry a powerful message about sacrifice, responsibility, and living a life worthy of the opportunities others have given us.
Q: Would you write another book (or are you already writing another book)?
A: Absolutely! I have a few ideas, including some for additional children’s stories, but I need to let them percolate for a while. I’ve learned that sometimes the best ideas need a little time to develop before they become stories worth telling.
Q: Is there an author you look up to, and why?
A: Daniel Silva, the author of the Gabriel Allon series of novels. I admire him because he pours himself into his writing, is meticulous about research and editing, and creates stories that are both captivating and believable.
His character development is especially impressive. He writes fictional people so convincingly that I can picture what they look like, hear how they speak, and understand why they act as they do. That’s a remarkable talent and something every writer can learn from.
Q: If there were an apocalypse and you could only take five books into your doomsday bunker, what would they be?
A: That’s a tough one, but I’d probably choose:
- Carl von Clausewitz’s On War
- Homer’s The Odyssey
- Ron Chernow’s Mark Twain
- William Manchester’s The Glory and the Dream
- The Federalist Papers
I suppose that collection says something about me! I’d want books that help me understand leadership, human nature, history, courage, and the foundations of democracy. And since I’d apparently be spending quite a bit of time in that bunker, I'’ want books worth reading more than once!
Learn more about Mark Hertling and his new children's book, A Walk Through the Zoo, here. Coming soon November 10th, 2026!