What do you think?
Rate this book
A Time to Serve #1
A Time to Serve
As World War II begins, the Cooper family is thrust headlong into the fray, where they must face the ultimate test of courage—from the home front to the battlefield.
"[A] suspenseful saga of one family's inspiring fight...." (Lee Jackson, author of After Dunkirk)
It’s 1941. Clyde and Abigail Cooper are happy newlyweds. She’s from Seattle’s upper crust, and he’s from the wrong side of the tracks. Yet the two are deeply in love. All Clyde wants is to give Abby the life she deserves.
But his plans are dashed with the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
However much he loves his new wife, Clyde can’t ignore his duty to serve. His cousin Shawn Cooper enlisted months before, anticipating the coming war. He regales Clyde with his experiences with a fledgling, experimental US Army unit known as the paratroopers. Soon Clyde enlists with plans for the Airborne, hoping the longer training cycle will outlast the war....
Abby is devastated to part with her new husband, and she knows she needs to find something to occupy her time. While the war has brought many new opportunities for women in the workforce, Abby stumbles into something quite exciting...and dangerous.
For Abby’s father, Victor Brooks, America’s entry into the war means profit. Brooks Industries was on the brink of collapse, but the war has changed everything. The only thing that can stop him is his own insatiable greed.
Thousands of miles away in the Philippines, Clyde’s brother, Frank, a US Army soldier, fights for his life against a relentless Japanese onslaught. Ill-equipped, with no chance of resupply, Frank and his unit fight a well-trained Japanese Army on the Bataan Peninsula. After months of bloody fighting, Frank finds himself on the final Allied strongpoint remaining in the Corregidor Island.
A Time to Serve is the first book in this epic new WWII historical fiction series, told through the eyes of the different members of the Cooper family and following the war through its conclusion. Recommended for fans of Jeff Shaara and Ken Follett.
"[A] suspenseful saga of one family's inspiring fight...." (Lee Jackson, author of After Dunkirk)
It’s 1941. Clyde and Abigail Cooper are happy newlyweds. She’s from Seattle’s upper crust, and he’s from the wrong side of the tracks. Yet the two are deeply in love. All Clyde wants is to give Abby the life she deserves.
But his plans are dashed with the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
However much he loves his new wife, Clyde can’t ignore his duty to serve. His cousin Shawn Cooper enlisted months before, anticipating the coming war. He regales Clyde with his experiences with a fledgling, experimental US Army unit known as the paratroopers. Soon Clyde enlists with plans for the Airborne, hoping the longer training cycle will outlast the war....
Abby is devastated to part with her new husband, and she knows she needs to find something to occupy her time. While the war has brought many new opportunities for women in the workforce, Abby stumbles into something quite exciting...and dangerous.
For Abby’s father, Victor Brooks, America’s entry into the war means profit. Brooks Industries was on the brink of collapse, but the war has changed everything. The only thing that can stop him is his own insatiable greed.
Thousands of miles away in the Philippines, Clyde’s brother, Frank, a US Army soldier, fights for his life against a relentless Japanese onslaught. Ill-equipped, with no chance of resupply, Frank and his unit fight a well-trained Japanese Army on the Bataan Peninsula. After months of bloody fighting, Frank finds himself on the final Allied strongpoint remaining in the Corregidor Island.
A Time to Serve is the first book in this epic new WWII historical fiction series, told through the eyes of the different members of the Cooper family and following the war through its conclusion. Recommended for fans of Jeff Shaara and Ken Follett.
Audible Audio
First published June 24, 2022
2089 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Read
October 26, 2023DNF.
February 10, 2023
Fair Historical Novel
I have read numerous fiction books about World War II and A Time to Serve was at best average. If you are looking for an easy read on a lazy Saturday afternoon and your knowledge of World War II is limited you might want to read this book. My knowledge of World War II is not limited to reading historical novels as I taught US history, World History and AP European history for over 20 years.
I have read numerous fiction books about World War II and A Time to Serve was at best average. If you are looking for an easy read on a lazy Saturday afternoon and your knowledge of World War II is limited you might want to read this book. My knowledge of World War II is not limited to reading historical novels as I taught US history, World History and AP European history for over 20 years.
July 3, 2022
We meet the Cooper men, two brothers and a cousin heading to war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Frank is already in Manila as the war starts, already having signed up. Shawn is stationed at the Panama Canal. In his travels he meets Ilsa, smitten with her, he asks her out and the rest is the start of trouble. Who is Ilsa, a spy or a good citizen??? Clyde is married to Abby, she comes from a very wealthy family that don't like Clyde. Victor Brooks, Abby's father is always putting Clyde down, thinking Abby could do better. Clyde proves him wrong when he enlists and becomes a Paratrooper. While Clyde is away, Abby is so bored and lonely she gets involved in something she shouldn't. This is a very interesting story I didn't want to end. A must read.
July 15, 2022
A Time to Serve
I find it interesting whenever I read about Basic Training, AIT, or Jump Training. The author in most cases seems to have first hand knowledge of the feelings and emotions that go through the characters as they face these challenges. I went through Jump School in 1966 and experienced many of the same feelings. More than once I said to myself just get through this and quit tomorrow, but by tomorrow it was today and the challenge was to make it to tomorrow. Quitting was never really an option.
I find it interesting whenever I read about Basic Training, AIT, or Jump Training. The author in most cases seems to have first hand knowledge of the feelings and emotions that go through the characters as they face these challenges. I went through Jump School in 1966 and experienced many of the same feelings. More than once I said to myself just get through this and quit tomorrow, but by tomorrow it was today and the challenge was to make it to tomorrow. Quitting was never really an option.
July 19, 2024
I requested the latest book in this series, The Light After the Storm, from NetGalley not knowing it was part of a series. I tried reading that one on its own and it seems to start in the middle of a story and I couldn't figure out what was going on so I decided to start at the beginning. While this has a few storylines going on and I can follow it, I find that I am not really invested in the story and eventually gave up. I love stories set in the Philippines during WWII but this was not for me.
July 8, 2023
wonderful
I loved everything about this book. I thought the book would be a typical WW2 novel which I love. This book is that and more. There are different events happening in different areas that keep you interested. Even the mafia in the US. That was one area the author could and maybe has left dangling for the next book. I hope so. The Godfather wouldn’t let you are so easy. Starting book 2 now.
I loved everything about this book. I thought the book would be a typical WW2 novel which I love. This book is that and more. There are different events happening in different areas that keep you interested. Even the mafia in the US. That was one area the author could and maybe has left dangling for the next book. I hope so. The Godfather wouldn’t let you are so easy. Starting book 2 now.
May 27, 2022
Chris Glatte is a master of humanizing WWII. His characters have depth and are chosen/developed to insure all poignant facts are addressed. The research on his novels brings them to a level of living history. This novel addresses the culture-driven conflict of serving in a conflict that one does not fully support. Cannot wait for the sequel
June 28, 2022
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. This book is about various members of a family at the start of WWII. The individual characters are believable and the reader will care about all of them. The ending of the book leaves the reader wanting more and I feel sure that there will be future books about this family. I look forward to the next book.
September 30, 2022
another good Glatte read
A different way of writing from Tark’s Ticks, this series bounces from home scenes in the USA and the Panama Canal, which I think provides a breather from the obvious action. Better character development ensues because of the locales and their cultures. I’m very happy with the first book and hope it continues like this.
A different way of writing from Tark’s Ticks, this series bounces from home scenes in the USA and the Panama Canal, which I think provides a breather from the obvious action. Better character development ensues because of the locales and their cultures. I’m very happy with the first book and hope it continues like this.
March 2, 2023
Great plot but content needs more originality
The events for the three relatives for the most part creates interest but the choice of cliqches is corny. The timeliness of Abby’s rescues is a bit over done. “Good fortune” events a bit stretched. These segments of content caused me to feel that too many lucky breaks gave the book an unrealistic story.
The events for the three relatives for the most part creates interest but the choice of cliqches is corny. The timeliness of Abby’s rescues is a bit over done. “Good fortune” events a bit stretched. These segments of content caused me to feel that too many lucky breaks gave the book an unrealistic story.
April 9, 2023
I am a big fan of WWII historic fiction and this first novel in a series kept me riveted from start to finish. As the war begins the Cooper family of Seattle has various members in the fray. It takes the reader from boot camp In Georgia to the Panama Canal to the Philippines. I am moving on to the next book immediately - can’t wait for the story to continue!
April 10, 2023
A Time to Serve (A Time to Serve #1), my first read from author Chris Glatte. Well-written WWII novel touching on many aspects of the war. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 30, 2025
Time to serve
Started out very interesting, and I thought this is going to be good and it may have been!! The trouble started fairly quick!! I do not do foul language especially the Lords name taken in vain!!
I have read many books in my 80 years that were written about all topics ,most of them did not need foul language to make their stories wonderful and interesting!!!
Started out very interesting, and I thought this is going to be good and it may have been!! The trouble started fairly quick!! I do not do foul language especially the Lords name taken in vain!!
I have read many books in my 80 years that were written about all topics ,most of them did not need foul language to make their stories wonderful and interesting!!!
October 17, 2022
Great story
This was a great story with many twists and turns that hold your attention and becomes a page turner.. I am sure you will find that it holds your attention right from the beginning and through the whole story.
This was a great story with many twists and turns that hold your attention and becomes a page turner.. I am sure you will find that it holds your attention right from the beginning and through the whole story.
December 5, 2022
After an initial challenge to follow brothers and cousin along their families lines, the individuals started taking shapes. Love how they develop and the additional lines of interests being drawn. Looking forward to book #2 in a few minutes!!!
January 15, 2023
A time too serve
Seems like it will be a nice series to read. Mr. Giants has a well researched book with a knack of switching back and forth between the family members. Can't wait to read the second book. Anyone who likes ww2 stories will like this read.
Seems like it will be a nice series to read. Mr. Giants has a well researched book with a knack of switching back and forth between the family members. Can't wait to read the second book. Anyone who likes ww2 stories will like this read.
June 26, 2023
Solid down to earth story line....
...and a very imaginative writer with unexpected twists and surprises! Entertaining diversion to be sure! Reminds me of stories my granddad used to tell me....
...and a very imaginative writer with unexpected twists and surprises! Entertaining diversion to be sure! Reminds me of stories my granddad used to tell me....
September 26, 2023
Good book
Started slow but, ended with a bang. The characters are wonderful and once I got into was a real page turned with alot of action. I recommend this book and can't wait to read the next one.
Started slow but, ended with a bang. The characters are wonderful and once I got into was a real page turned with alot of action. I recommend this book and can't wait to read the next one.
November 2, 2024
Very Good
This is a well written WW2 historical fiction novel. It is about the Connor sons and their roles in the war. It moves st a good pace and the characters are interesting. I recommend.
This is a well written WW2 historical fiction novel. It is about the Connor sons and their roles in the war. It moves st a good pace and the characters are interesting. I recommend.
June 6, 2025
First book read by this author. Not too bad. Entertaining.
I like the character development and their individuals storie. Author nicely merges the stories and sets the stage for book #2 of this series; The Gathering Storm.
Already started it. Let’s see. How it goes…
I like the character development and their individuals storie. Author nicely merges the stories and sets the stage for book #2 of this series; The Gathering Storm.
Already started it. Let’s see. How it goes…
July 25, 2022
A time to serve
A good mix of prewar into the start of World war two.The characters make the story interesting from the home front to the Battlefield.
A good mix of prewar into the start of World war two.The characters make the story interesting from the home front to the Battlefield.
July 29, 2022
a pretty entertaining story
A fairly predictable story. Well written with good descriptions. The character development was good for the time period of the story.
A fairly predictable story. Well written with good descriptions. The character development was good for the time period of the story.
August 13, 2022
Great Prose
The characters come alive on the page. You feel as though you know them intensely. I will happily read the next book.
The characters come alive on the page. You feel as though you know them intensely. I will happily read the next book.
Currently reading
November 11, 2022Glatte doesn't disappoint
Once again my attention was captured! Was hard to put my tablet down. This read plays the story in your head
Once again my attention was captured! Was hard to put my tablet down. This read plays the story in your head
December 12, 2022
Great detailed storytelling
Puts you into the story providing realistic descriptions. You keep yearning for more detail and get it. Difficult to put down.
Puts you into the story providing realistic descriptions. You keep yearning for more detail and get it. Difficult to put down.
January 5, 2023
Well written!!!!
I am thoroughly engrossed in this story. The characters jump off the page and you feel as if you are there with them.
I am thoroughly engrossed in this story. The characters jump off the page and you feel as if you are there with them.
April 17, 2023
Page turner
A story of the cooper family's trials and tribulations at the beginning of WWII. The story is written in an exciting fashion to keep you turning the pages.
A story of the cooper family's trials and tribulations at the beginning of WWII. The story is written in an exciting fashion to keep you turning the pages.
April 27, 2023
Chris Glatte
Excellent start of a new series author. Looking forward to reading additional books and series soon. Historically accurate novels are a good read.
Excellent start of a new series author. Looking forward to reading additional books and series soon. Historically accurate novels are a good read.
May 14, 2023
real good beginning
Jumps more than most books. Characters are believable. Was a story easy to get into with twists for each family member…
Jumps more than most books. Characters are believable. Was a story easy to get into with twists for each family member…
May 16, 2023
Enjoyable
Decent book. Entertaining and easy to follow. Will continue to read the series. Some twists and turns. Enough to want to read more
Decent book. Entertaining and easy to follow. Will continue to read the series. Some twists and turns. Enough to want to read more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews