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Plumes
An autobiographical novel of the Great War's aftermath, Plumes is the story of the personal trials of a soldier, returned from the front disabled and disillusioned, and of the wife and child he left behind. Like his creator, Laurence Stallings, Richard Plume is a U.S. Marine whose combat injuries ultimately cost him a leg and much faith in his government and society. Carefully structured to emphasize the immediacy of problems faced by its players, the novel relegates combat scenes to flashbacks and centers instead on the struggles Richard faces as he tries to carve out a humble but honest existence in postwar Washington, D.C., for his wife, Esme, and son, Dickie. As he struggles to understand the external and internal causes that made him a victim, he turns to his heritage. Patriotic Plumes men fought in every American conflict from Valley Forge onward, and while all returned with wounds and woes, none ever doubted that battlefield glory was worth the price-none until Richard, who yearns to spare Dickie from the fate of his forebears.
- GenresWorld War I
353 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1924
About the author
Laurence Stallings
15 books2 followersLaurence Tucker Stallings was an American playwright, screenwriter, lyricist, literary critic, journalist, novelist, and photographer. The World War I veteran was noted for his anti-war book The First World War: A Photographic History.
Stallings was born Laurence Tucker Stallings in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from Wake Forest College prior to his war service. In 1917, he joined the United States Marine Reserve. He was assigned to active duty and arrived in France in time to participate in the fighting at Château-Thierry (a specific location within the greater Belleau Wood battle), where he was wounded in the leg. (He further damaged it with a fall on the ice, and it was amputated in 1922. Many years later he had to have his remaining leg amputated as well.)
Stallings received a Master of Science degree from Georgetown University, after which he worked as a reporter, critic, and entertainment editor at the ''New York World''. He was impressed by Maxwell Anderson's first play, ''White Desert'', and the two joined forces to collaborate on What Price Glory, which opened at the Plymouth Theatre in New York City in 1924. The critically acclaimed play ran for 433 performances and spawned two film adaptations. The two went on to co-write the plays ''The First Flight'' and ''The Buccaneer'', both in 1925. Stallings continued his theatre career with the book and lyrics for the musical ''Deep River'' (1926), adapted ''A Farewell to Arms'' for the stage in 1930, co-wrote the book for the musicals ''Rainbow'' (1928) with [Oscar Hammerstein II and ''Virginia'' (1937) with Owen Davis, and penned the play ''The Streets Are Guarded'' in 1944.
Stallings was a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of journalists, editors, actors, and press agents that met on a regular basis at the Algonquin Hotel in New York. The group began lunching together in June 1919 and continued on a regular basis for about eight years.Members included Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Heywood Broun, Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman, Harpo Marx, and Robert Sherwood.
Stallings was called back to service with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as a Lieutenant Colonel, but did not serve overseas. He served as a staff officer.
Stallings first (and only) novel, the autobiographical Plumes, was published in 1924 and was a huge success, with nine printings in that year alone. It was adapted into King Vidor's ''The Big Parade'', which was quite successful and remained MGM's biggest grossing film until [book:Gone with the Wind|18405] in 1939. He was regarded as a key influence on three of John Ford's greatest films, serving as writer or co-writer for ''3 Godfathers'', ''She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'', and ''The Sun Shines Bright''. Additional screenwriting credits included ''Northwest Passage'', ''The Man from Dakota'', and ''On Our Merry Way''.
Stalling's last book, The Doughboys: The Story of the AEF, 1917-1918, was published in 1963.
Stallings died of a heart attack in Pacific Palisades, California. He was buried with full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, California near San Diego.
Biography source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence...
Stallings was born Laurence Tucker Stallings in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from Wake Forest College prior to his war service. In 1917, he joined the United States Marine Reserve. He was assigned to active duty and arrived in France in time to participate in the fighting at Château-Thierry (a specific location within the greater Belleau Wood battle), where he was wounded in the leg. (He further damaged it with a fall on the ice, and it was amputated in 1922. Many years later he had to have his remaining leg amputated as well.)
Stallings received a Master of Science degree from Georgetown University, after which he worked as a reporter, critic, and entertainment editor at the ''New York World''. He was impressed by Maxwell Anderson's first play, ''White Desert'', and the two joined forces to collaborate on What Price Glory, which opened at the Plymouth Theatre in New York City in 1924. The critically acclaimed play ran for 433 performances and spawned two film adaptations. The two went on to co-write the plays ''The First Flight'' and ''The Buccaneer'', both in 1925. Stallings continued his theatre career with the book and lyrics for the musical ''Deep River'' (1926), adapted ''A Farewell to Arms'' for the stage in 1930, co-wrote the book for the musicals ''Rainbow'' (1928) with [Oscar Hammerstein II and ''Virginia'' (1937) with Owen Davis, and penned the play ''The Streets Are Guarded'' in 1944.
Stallings was a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of journalists, editors, actors, and press agents that met on a regular basis at the Algonquin Hotel in New York. The group began lunching together in June 1919 and continued on a regular basis for about eight years.Members included Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Heywood Broun, Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman, Harpo Marx, and Robert Sherwood.
Stallings was called back to service with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as a Lieutenant Colonel, but did not serve overseas. He served as a staff officer.
Stallings first (and only) novel, the autobiographical Plumes, was published in 1924 and was a huge success, with nine printings in that year alone. It was adapted into King Vidor's ''The Big Parade'', which was quite successful and remained MGM's biggest grossing film until [book:Gone with the Wind|18405] in 1939. He was regarded as a key influence on three of John Ford's greatest films, serving as writer or co-writer for ''3 Godfathers'', ''She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'', and ''The Sun Shines Bright''. Additional screenwriting credits included ''Northwest Passage'', ''The Man from Dakota'', and ''On Our Merry Way''.
Stalling's last book, The Doughboys: The Story of the AEF, 1917-1918, was published in 1963.
Stallings died of a heart attack in Pacific Palisades, California. He was buried with full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, California near San Diego.
Biography source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 27, 2013
Reading non-fiction WWI books are a passion of mine, however when I spotted the fictional Plumes in a used bookstore I knew it was high time to read this unique autobiographical novel. I’m very familiar with the background of author Laurence Stallings and for those who do not know the accomplished man, he was a quite a character.
Author Background
As the story goes the southerner from Georgia enrolled at Trinity College (Duke University) only to be expelled for playing cards, drinking and smoking. Stallings then entered Wake Forest College (University) just a short distance away. In time he was again caught in a poker game smoking a cigar, drinking moonshine and was called to the office of Dr. William Poteat the 7th president of Wake Forest University to face charges. When Poteat asked Stallings why he should not be expelled, Stallings paused for a moment and then stated his defense was that he was engaged to his daughter. Stallings was placed on probation and upon leaving the office he located Helen Poteat. Overcome by the wild scenario Helen played along to keep Stallings in school. Following graduation Stallings became a U.S. Marine officer and was placed on the front lines in WWI. He was awarded for bravery at the historic battle of Belleau Wood, but during the action his right leg was severely wounded (amputated a few years later). Arriving home he married Helen Poteat and began his stellar career. His only novel, Plumes, was an instant literary success and was the adaptation foundation for the 1925 silent motion picture “The Big Parade”, which became the MGM’s largest grossing movie until “Gone with the Wind” in 1939. Stallings became a successful screenwriter and as a playwright he adapted Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms” to the Broadway stage at the National Theater. Lured to Hollywood he divorced Helen and began another chapter in life.
Stallings intrigued me because my grandfather, who fought as a U.S. Marine in WWI, had an appreciation for America from the day he became a U.S. citizen to the day he died. Additionally one of my sons is named after the 1st president of Wake Forest University, Samuel Wait.
Plumes
The easy to read fictional story revolves around Richard Plume whose descendents had a long and proud heritage of fighting in wars. The setting is post WWI where Richard, a severely disabled veteran with a wife (Esme) and young son, tries his best to adjust to daily life in Washington, D.C. The romance of war that flickered briefly is long gone and his days are filled with struggles of grief, despair and bitterness. Richard and Esme, who enjoy nature, are out of their element in the Capital City and their personal relationship suffers. Out of necessity they live a frugal life spending time in a sparse dwelling.
With the realization that the “War to End All Wars” had not achieved its purpose, Plume becomes a pacifist with a distrust of all governments. Above all he longs to break the Plume family tradition of fighting wars. I was fully drawn to the ending.
Author Background
As the story goes the southerner from Georgia enrolled at Trinity College (Duke University) only to be expelled for playing cards, drinking and smoking. Stallings then entered Wake Forest College (University) just a short distance away. In time he was again caught in a poker game smoking a cigar, drinking moonshine and was called to the office of Dr. William Poteat the 7th president of Wake Forest University to face charges. When Poteat asked Stallings why he should not be expelled, Stallings paused for a moment and then stated his defense was that he was engaged to his daughter. Stallings was placed on probation and upon leaving the office he located Helen Poteat. Overcome by the wild scenario Helen played along to keep Stallings in school. Following graduation Stallings became a U.S. Marine officer and was placed on the front lines in WWI. He was awarded for bravery at the historic battle of Belleau Wood, but during the action his right leg was severely wounded (amputated a few years later). Arriving home he married Helen Poteat and began his stellar career. His only novel, Plumes, was an instant literary success and was the adaptation foundation for the 1925 silent motion picture “The Big Parade”, which became the MGM’s largest grossing movie until “Gone with the Wind” in 1939. Stallings became a successful screenwriter and as a playwright he adapted Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms” to the Broadway stage at the National Theater. Lured to Hollywood he divorced Helen and began another chapter in life.
Stallings intrigued me because my grandfather, who fought as a U.S. Marine in WWI, had an appreciation for America from the day he became a U.S. citizen to the day he died. Additionally one of my sons is named after the 1st president of Wake Forest University, Samuel Wait.
Plumes
The easy to read fictional story revolves around Richard Plume whose descendents had a long and proud heritage of fighting in wars. The setting is post WWI where Richard, a severely disabled veteran with a wife (Esme) and young son, tries his best to adjust to daily life in Washington, D.C. The romance of war that flickered briefly is long gone and his days are filled with struggles of grief, despair and bitterness. Richard and Esme, who enjoy nature, are out of their element in the Capital City and their personal relationship suffers. Out of necessity they live a frugal life spending time in a sparse dwelling.
With the realization that the “War to End All Wars” had not achieved its purpose, Plume becomes a pacifist with a distrust of all governments. Above all he longs to break the Plume family tradition of fighting wars. I was fully drawn to the ending.
May 24, 2008
I'm gonna write a screenplay from this.
February 5, 2026
Written by Marine veteran Laurence Stallings, “Plumes” opens with the energy and idealism of young Americans heading to war, then pivots sharply to what happens after the shooting stops. Richard Plume, a U.S. Marine badly wounded in France, returns home missing a leg and struggling to understand what the war has taken from him, his marriage, and his future.
Rather than lingering on combat, Stallings focuses on the aftermath. Hospitals, repeated surgeries, chronic pain, financial strain, and the quiet erosion of dignity that become the real battlefield. Richard’s anger grows from personal frustration into something more political. He begins to see war not as noble sacrifice but as a brutal system driven by people far removed from its consequences. One line captures the book’s core truth: all war is “a brutal and vicious dance directed by ghastly men.”
Esme, Richard’s wife, anchors the novel emotionally. While Richard sinks into anger and disillusionment, she carries the steady burden of holding their life together through care, endurance, and love. Their marriage becomes a reflection of postwar America itself, where pride collides with grief, devotion is worn thin by fatigue, and both parents quietly fear that the cost of war will be handed down to their child.
“Plumes” moves with a quiet heaviness, raw and deeply human, shaped by a Marine’s reckoning with what war takes and what it leaves behind. Through its honest portrayal of postwar disillusionment, lasting wounds, and moral uncertainty, the novel earns its place among the most powerful antiwar literature of the twentieth century.
Rather than lingering on combat, Stallings focuses on the aftermath. Hospitals, repeated surgeries, chronic pain, financial strain, and the quiet erosion of dignity that become the real battlefield. Richard’s anger grows from personal frustration into something more political. He begins to see war not as noble sacrifice but as a brutal system driven by people far removed from its consequences. One line captures the book’s core truth: all war is “a brutal and vicious dance directed by ghastly men.”
Esme, Richard’s wife, anchors the novel emotionally. While Richard sinks into anger and disillusionment, she carries the steady burden of holding their life together through care, endurance, and love. Their marriage becomes a reflection of postwar America itself, where pride collides with grief, devotion is worn thin by fatigue, and both parents quietly fear that the cost of war will be handed down to their child.
“Plumes” moves with a quiet heaviness, raw and deeply human, shaped by a Marine’s reckoning with what war takes and what it leaves behind. Through its honest portrayal of postwar disillusionment, lasting wounds, and moral uncertainty, the novel earns its place among the most powerful antiwar literature of the twentieth century.
June 6, 2016
Laurence Stallings served in the USMC in WW1 and was badly wounded at Belleau Wood. The novel is based on his experiences, starting before the war and covering his long recuperation. The Plumes of the title are a family who have always answered the call to arms; they are always the first to volunteer but gain little but suffering for their patriotism. The latest Plume goes to France in 1917 and like his forebears is severly wounded. The bulk of the novel covers his life after returning to the US, undergoing numerous operations and trying to rebuild his life. The neglect suffered by the returning soldiers is topical today and the novel is a seering indictment of the governments who send young men off to fight. As an anti-war novel 'Plumes' ranks alongside 'All Quiet On The Western Front' and 'Memoirs of a Fox Hunting Man'. This edition includes a scholarly introduction and is recommended for anyone with an interest in the literature of the First World War.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews