Frenchman's Duty

<p>Sometimes gritty and graphic sometimes humorous and insightful A Frenchman's Duty chronicles Arthur's true story of four-years as a French foot soldier and cook on the Western Front during World War I. Transcribed and translated from Arthur's hand-scripted journal illustrated with 44 one-hundred-year old color postcards maps and photos then annotated with historic context and more than a century of military and political perspective this book is a must read for anyone wishing to truly understand World War I a war to end all wars.</p><p><br></p><p>In his own words Arthur describes his induction and training as a foot soldier then his first introduction to battle. He describes his experiences at Verdun in the Marne and Somme and in Belgium. His journal entries about cooking for his officers and comrades; going over the top in terrifying charges; and being lost in enemy trenches and on the battlefield in the fog with pack mules in his charge give accounts of battles not found in any other biography or history book about the war. </p><p><br></p><p>Arthur details the quieter sides of the war too: rotations out of the trenches interactions with civilians required to put him up for the night his permissions or leaves to see family and friends. He gives a face to the personal side of a soldiers life in and out of battle something still so relevant today.</p><p><br></p><p>Arthur was the author's grandfather and godfather so the book is not one of those tales where the hero dies in the end. Rather it is a testament to the resilience in the face of hopeless odds to life after PTSD faith and patriotic sacrifice beyond full understanding. Set during a time of terrible destruction A Frenchman's Duty is nevertheless an uplifting book about perseverance and its rewards.</p>