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Weeping, Sad and Lonely
War is coming to Europe. After a century of peace, the drums are beating again and the young man may seek honour and glory in service of his King and country.
General Griffin’s sons welcome the chance to leave the tedium of Oxford to pursue a manly existence for a few months – not for too long, the war will be over by Christmas.
Two are regulars, the other three join as second lieutenants, using their father’s influence to cross the Channel with the very first of the British Expeditionary Force. They are soon at the front of the first, confused probes into Belgium and the scattered action spread piecemeal about the little country…
General Griffin’s sons welcome the chance to leave the tedium of Oxford to pursue a manly existence for a few months – not for too long, the war will be over by Christmas.
Two are regulars, the other three join as second lieutenants, using their father’s influence to cross the Channel with the very first of the British Expeditionary Force. They are soon at the front of the first, confused probes into Belgium and the scattered action spread piecemeal about the little country…
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2024
297 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 12, 2024
A British General has five sons ranging from 17 to 21. Two are already in the service as World War I begins. The other three join up immediately. All begin as Second Lieutenants. This is the first war in Europe since the Franco-Prussian War in the 1860s. None of the combatants in any army know just how much machinery has changed the nature of war.
The book follows the lads as they with their regiments search for the enemy as Germany battles through Belgium. At the end of the book there is first contact between the British Expeditionary Force and the German army.
This book is very well done and offers insight into just how unprepared the combatants were for this war. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
The book follows the lads as they with their regiments search for the enemy as Germany battles through Belgium. At the end of the book there is first contact between the British Expeditionary Force and the German army.
This book is very well done and offers insight into just how unprepared the combatants were for this war. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
December 8, 2024
Good read
This novel does an excellent job of describing the culture of the British army at the start of the Great War.
This novel does an excellent job of describing the culture of the British army at the start of the Great War.
February 10, 2025
Excellent read.
When is part 2 coming? I loved this book very much. Gives you an insight into how they thought in those days. No wonder so many died unnecessarily.
When is part 2 coming? I loved this book very much. Gives you an insight into how they thought in those days. No wonder so many died unnecessarily.
November 25, 2024
Simply Terrific!
Mr. Wareham has once again given us a first rate book, and the start to a new and entertaining series. Yes, some “weeping and sadness”, but it is war. Once again, the characters are well developed and we like them, and we want them to succeed. An interesting view of the British military technology transition from muskets, and cavalry with lances, to machine guns, aircraft, and multi-cartridge fed rifles. Unfortunately, no advancement in the thinking or tactics of senior British officers. A very good and enjoyable read. I look forward to book-2.
Mr. Wareham has once again given us a first rate book, and the start to a new and entertaining series. Yes, some “weeping and sadness”, but it is war. Once again, the characters are well developed and we like them, and we want them to succeed. An interesting view of the British military technology transition from muskets, and cavalry with lances, to machine guns, aircraft, and multi-cartridge fed rifles. Unfortunately, no advancement in the thinking or tactics of senior British officers. A very good and enjoyable read. I look forward to book-2.
January 14, 2025
This is to be a “Gentleman’s War”
“Lions led by donkeys”, as has been said before. A family and unit-level view of the opening days of the Guns of August. A military family, Major General father and five brothers (2 regulars and 3 newly commissioned) off to Belgium with the BEF. Everyone saying short war and “home by Christmas”. The “Old Rules” of gentlemanly warfare will be observed—the “cold steel” of bayonet and sword against aimed rifle shots and machine guns. My guess, this will be a long book series, as this book covered only the first 2 weeks in August 1914. Another excellent book from someone who knows history and can tell the story within it.
“Lions led by donkeys”, as has been said before. A family and unit-level view of the opening days of the Guns of August. A military family, Major General father and five brothers (2 regulars and 3 newly commissioned) off to Belgium with the BEF. Everyone saying short war and “home by Christmas”. The “Old Rules” of gentlemanly warfare will be observed—the “cold steel” of bayonet and sword against aimed rifle shots and machine guns. My guess, this will be a long book series, as this book covered only the first 2 weeks in August 1914. Another excellent book from someone who knows history and can tell the story within it.
August 20, 2025
Wareham continues to savage the leadership of the British armed forces, whatever the time period and/or war involved. He almost always includes senior officers who are hidebound by tradition, live in the past and do not acknowledge that times are changing. This book is no exception but is nonetheless a good story and a great insight into the army as it was at the outbreak of World War 1. Wareham has the ability to casually kill off major characters in his books in a matter of fact, almost random way, the same as actually happens in combat. An interesting first book in a series; I will be reading the other two shortly.
December 3, 2024
Another excellent book by Wareham
The very short run up to WWI. Five brothers joining up within weeks of the beginning. It is a good representation of the incredibly untrained officer corps in the British army at that time.
Each of the brothers goes to a different regiment. Their stories intertwine with no separation. I found it difficult to transition to the new brother. They were all the same rank, so there was only the first name to tell you who was in action at any given time. That is why it received a 4 star rating.
The very short run up to WWI. Five brothers joining up within weeks of the beginning. It is a good representation of the incredibly untrained officer corps in the British army at that time.
Each of the brothers goes to a different regiment. Their stories intertwine with no separation. I found it difficult to transition to the new brother. They were all the same rank, so there was only the first name to tell you who was in action at any given time. That is why it received a 4 star rating.
December 29, 2024
A good picture of British military folly
That the various belligerent nations of WWI were not ready for war is commonly written about in history books. But those are ordinarily scans of historical events, not close up "interviews" of the individual participants. The author has brought us into the thought process of British soldiers and officers. And in these first few days of conflict, we see death to both the stupid and the brightest. And more than a hint of the Why.
That the various belligerent nations of WWI were not ready for war is commonly written about in history books. But those are ordinarily scans of historical events, not close up "interviews" of the individual participants. The author has brought us into the thought process of British soldiers and officers. And in these first few days of conflict, we see death to both the stupid and the brightest. And more than a hint of the Why.
November 19, 2024
great beginning of a new series
If you are a reader of the author, you know what to expect. Very similar in structure to his recent WWI series. Well written, well presented story of the early days of WWI, of a military family heading into a war that no one could have predicted. Will be interesting to see who is left standing at the end.
If you are a reader of the author, you know what to expect. Very similar in structure to his recent WWI series. Well written, well presented story of the early days of WWI, of a military family heading into a war that no one could have predicted. Will be interesting to see who is left standing at the end.
November 24, 2024
The story of three of five brothers becoming new officers as WWI breaks out. They are from a military family, and have some understanding of traditional army life, but not of the new way of war.
If you know the author, you will not be surprised one of them dies in this book. It is sort of his trademark.
If you know the author, you will not be surprised one of them dies in this book. It is sort of his trademark.
December 2, 2024
When you know what's coming
It requires a skillful author to create, or recreate, an historic event like the start of the First World War. It's like a train wreck for a modern reader, the outcome inevitable, but you can't look away, of stop reading for all that. Highly recommended! Looking forward to the continuation of the story.
It requires a skillful author to create, or recreate, an historic event like the start of the First World War. It's like a train wreck for a modern reader, the outcome inevitable, but you can't look away, of stop reading for all that. Highly recommended! Looking forward to the continuation of the story.
December 6, 2024
the opening of the BEF in the Great War
Another superb work by Andrew Wareham. Five brothers, sons of a general, go into the mobilization. Three sons from university and two from the service follow their father across to France as they wait for a German Invasion. Good background and reporting what the old guard thought and the new facts of war.
A splendid read.
Another superb work by Andrew Wareham. Five brothers, sons of a general, go into the mobilization. Three sons from university and two from the service follow their father across to France as they wait for a German Invasion. Good background and reporting what the old guard thought and the new facts of war.
A splendid read.
December 21, 2024
Fast paced, descriptive, and accurate!
Andrew Wareham doesn’t dawdle about. He tells a human story of the beginnings of WW1 sprinkled with more than enough historical detail to keep me interested. I find I’m spending half my reading time NOT in his story, but online looking deeper into detail. This is a good thing as his writing fosters further research. Keep it coming!
Andrew Wareham doesn’t dawdle about. He tells a human story of the beginnings of WW1 sprinkled with more than enough historical detail to keep me interested. I find I’m spending half my reading time NOT in his story, but online looking deeper into detail. This is a good thing as his writing fosters further research. Keep it coming!
December 23, 2024
Great first book of series.
Always enjoy Andrew Wareham’s writing. He takes history and brings it alive with the realism and attention to character development. He tells a good story about England’s entry into WWI from a soldier’s perspective and the transition an aristocracy led army to a modern day fight force and the growing pains they experienced.
Always enjoy Andrew Wareham’s writing. He takes history and brings it alive with the realism and attention to character development. He tells a good story about England’s entry into WWI from a soldier’s perspective and the transition an aristocracy led army to a modern day fight force and the growing pains they experienced.
November 24, 2024
Review
Our author has resisted the temptation, so far, of going on a recuting campaign for the Labour
Party. Which he likes to do in his WW1&2 books.
I am hoping he just gives us the story & character development in the next instalment.
Our author has resisted the temptation, so far, of going on a recuting campaign for the Labour
Party. Which he likes to do in his WW1&2 books.
I am hoping he just gives us the story & character development in the next instalment.
November 26, 2024
Excellent WWI Novel!
Looking forward to the next book in the series!
I’m a fan of the author, having read most of his books, and this one, while somewhat surprising at how it ended, fits with what actualy happened.
Looking forward to the next book in the series!
I’m a fan of the author, having read most of his books, and this one, while somewhat surprising at how it ended, fits with what actualy happened.
Read
December 6, 2024Another great Wareham Story
This story covers the first few weeks of organizing an army for WWI. Very interesting and descriptive of the transition between a gentleman's war and the new mechanized war.
This story covers the first few weeks of organizing an army for WWI. Very interesting and descriptive of the transition between a gentleman's war and the new mechanized war.
December 10, 2024
a rather true study
Mr. Wareham has done it again with the beginning of another good series. Seems well researched and definitely well written. Interesting characters. Looking forward to book 2.
Mr. Wareham has done it again with the beginning of another good series. Seems well researched and definitely well written. Interesting characters. Looking forward to book 2.
December 10, 2024
Great start
An excellent start to,what is hopefully a series of novels.It portrays vividly the bigotry and class system,that existed in England before the first world war. Also the same applied in armed forces.Onwards and upwards.
An excellent start to,what is hopefully a series of novels.It portrays vividly the bigotry and class system,that existed in England before the first world war. Also the same applied in armed forces.Onwards and upwards.
February 23, 2025
Another excellent job by Andrew Wareham.
Like the book. It's another good book by a great author. I've read at least a dozen of his books. One of my favorites. Can always count on Andrew Wareham for a good read. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Like the book. It's another good book by a great author. I've read at least a dozen of his books. One of my favorites. Can always count on Andrew Wareham for a good read. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
April 15, 2025
Early WWI Reality
Good accounting of the state of the British army entering a European war for the first time in one hundred years. Portrayals of grit vs glamour in the fog of combat are enlightening.
Good accounting of the state of the British army entering a European war for the first time in one hundred years. Portrayals of grit vs glamour in the fog of combat are enlightening.
December 9, 2025
A slow build up but very well done, Accurately shows the view of some of the British military of the time and there inability or out right refusal to see times were changing and tactics and how battles were fought had to change as well. A must read for for people who want a accurate of WW1 novel.
November 28, 2024
another good read from Andrew Wareham
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Andrew Wareham books and this looks as if it is the start of another good series.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Andrew Wareham books and this looks as if it is the start of another good series.
December 8, 2024
Good read
A little slow on the start, but can see how it will make into a good series. Waiting for the next book.
A little slow on the start, but can see how it will make into a good series. Waiting for the next book.
December 11, 2024
Captivating Saga
Captivating saga of the Griffin family and the attitudes of many British officers and enlisted personnel prior to and at the beginning of WW 1.
Captivating saga of the Griffin family and the attitudes of many British officers and enlisted personnel prior to and at the beginning of WW 1.
December 26, 2024
War 1; a sad war
A realistic reading with good character development.
British military cultures are hard to imagine with their concepts of gentlemen codes.
A realistic reading with good character development.
British military cultures are hard to imagine with their concepts of gentlemen codes.
January 2, 2025
Cannot wait for the sequel
April 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this. I was a story of an upper class family Dad a soldier and 4 sons. It is the story of how 19th century British army (a hot mess) nmeets 20th century war. I am read the second one now
January 11, 2026
The Start of an Excellent series
Succinct and to the point. Purists will not be in favor but I enjoyed it very much.
Hopefully more volumes will follow.
Well done Mr Wareham.
Succinct and to the point. Purists will not be in favor but I enjoyed it very much.
Hopefully more volumes will follow.
Well done Mr Wareham.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews