The Red Fields of France: A World War II Novel

by Sean Spurlock

Hitler's Blitzkrieg erupts across Western Europe, thrusting British Private Bill Brooks into the hellish maw of modern war. Commanded by his elder brother, Lieutenant Jameson Brooks, Bill confronts staggering German assaults in the blood-soaked fields of Belgium and France. As the war darkens, Bill's hopes of making it to his French bride, Augusta, and keeping her safe from the Nazi wave, look more impossible.

In London, Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister on the very day the German offensive begins. Haunted by the ghosts of his Gallipoli failure, he battles a fractious Parliament, a contentious War Cabinet, wavering French allies, and the German steamroller.

As Bill claws for survival on the front lines, Winston fights to keep Britain in the war. Torn between conflicting duties, doubts and desires, both men wrestle with soul-crushing decisions that alter their lives and the course of history.

The Red Fields of France is great for fans of Band of Brothers, All Quiet on the Western Front, A Farewell to Arms, Gates of Fire, or anything by Mark Helprin.

Genres: Historical Fiction

503 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2025

About the author

Sean Spurlock studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at The King’s College and worked at the United Nations during his time in New York City. Sean was the President of the House of Sir Winston Churchill at The King’s College. During his tenure, he attended multiple International Churchill Conferences, published several articles on Churchill’s legacy, and led the establishment of a Library of Winston Churchill at The King’s College.


Editorial Reviews for The Red Fields of France

"5/5 Stars. The Red Fields of France...places readers at the center of the chaotic early days of the 1940 campaign in Western Europe...Spurlock's prose emphasizes movement and momentum, mirroring the pace of events during the fall of France...The writing is engaging and goes beyond what many World War II novels cover. The Red Fields of France blends large-scale historical moments with character-driven storytelling...It's an unforgettable story."
- Reader's Favorite

"Immediately captivating and immersive...with a compelling, deeply human story...wondrously evocative, effortlessly capturing the spirit of the age...superbly written and scrupulously researched, The Red Fields of France deserves to be a classic."
- Book Review Directory


"Sweeping and unflinchingly human, The Red Fields of France is a gripping World War II epic that interweaves the harrowing journey of a British soldier with the high-stakes leadership of Winston Churchill, perfect for readers drawn to historical fiction rich in emotion, sacrifice, and the weight of impossible choices."
- New In Books Reviews


"Riveting, emotional, and packed with historical factoids."
- Kirkus Reviews

Reviews

[Masha M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel masterfully intertwines two gripping narratives to capture the chaos and consequence of the Nazi Blitzkrieg in 1940. On the ground, we follow Private Bill Brooks, a British soldier thrust into the hellish maw of modern war in the collapsing defenses of Belgium and France. His story is made intensely personal as he serves under the command of his elder brother, Lieutenant Jameson Brooks, adding a layer of familial duty and tension to the sheer terror of combat. Bill’s desperate drive to survive is fueled by one hope: reaching his French bride, Augusta, and saving her from the advancing Nazi tide, a hope that grows more impossible with each passing day.

Simultaneously, the novel ascends to the highest levels of power in London, where Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister on the very day the German offensive begins. Haunted by his catastrophic failure at Gallipoli in World War I, Churchill wages a different kind of war: a political battle against a fractious Parliament, a contentious War Cabinet, and wavering allies, all while the German military steamroller seems unstoppable.

The novel’s brilliance lies in this dual focus. It contrasts the gut-wrenching, personal survival of a common soldier with the epochal, strategic decisions of a legendary leader. Both Bill and Churchill are torn between conflicting duties, doubts and desires, forced to make soul-crushing decisions that will alter their own lives and the course of history. This structure creates a profound, complete portrait of a nation and a world at its most desperate hour.

[John G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly enjoyed reading. Immersive and well-written. Loved the characters and the duel perspective. As a lover of history, I enjoyed watching the same events unfold for Bill, a foot soldier, and Winston, the prime minister. One is on the front lines and the other is in London. I had heard the Winston Churchill storyline before, but I had never considered what the impacts of his decisions were on the men on the front line. What a cool, vivid explanation of this from the author.

If you like true history brought to the gut level of an intense story, you will love The Red Fields of France!

[John Spaeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still reading this book - about half way through at the moment. I'm having a hard time putting it down! I love the historical aspect of the novel. Mr. Spurlock has certainly done his research. I am constantly looking at maps of France and Belgium to get an idea of the movements of these brave soldiers. Cannot wait to get back to reading it!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw an ad and thought I'd read a few pages haha. Stayed up a few hours past my bedtime on a work night! Really enjoyed. I've never read a book with these different viewpoints on the same events. I watched the movie Dunkirk not long ago, and this book provides the incredible backstory to Dunkirk. If you like war stories, movies, etc, you will love this book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. Historical fiction done right. There wasn’t a single unrealistic or historically inaccurate moment in the book. Plus it’s a captivating read. Highly recommend. So much so that, as someone who doesn’t really take the time to review things normally, I couldn’t help but share the love.

[Grant DeArmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spurlock connects the reader to a giant, tragic historic moment by putting a face to the human cost of WWII. With the detail of a studied historian and the prose of a thoroughly-read literary student, Red Fields is for readers who want to understand the Second World War not for its simple statistics, but as a bloody, lived-and-died in moment.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Sean Spurlock penned a riveting account of early WW2. I could not put this book down, I learned so much. We live free because they fought bravely with Winston Churchill at the helm. Pity help us if we do not learn from history

[Gigi McDuffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me glued from the first chapter to the last. A must read!

[Paul Bingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read. I especially love World War II history. This book makes it come alive again!

[Christy Greves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. The storyline was incredibly gripping and so beautifully written. It was an emotional, powerful read and a truly memorable story.

[Robert Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best historical fiction books ever written. Enjoyed immensely.

[Emily Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - The Red Fields of France caught my attention right from the very first chapter! This historical fiction novel pulled me in with its focus on family and resilience. The story follows Bill Brooks, his French wife, Augusta, and his older brother, Jameson, as they face the terror of the German Blitzkrieg in 1940.

I was captivated by the dual perspective (one of my favorite book features). There is Bill fighting on front lines to get back to his bride, Augusta. After he gets back to her, they withstand many trials to get to Dunkirk and then back to England. Their trek to Dunkirk at times is harrowing, but their resilience and unity keeps them alive. When one is struggling, the other is the strength needed for both. On the flipside,the reader is taken to the war cabinet with Winston Churchill on the very day he becomes Prime Minister. The scenes with Churchill and the other cabinet members are a “glimpse” at history that I’ve not seen before.

The writing’s imagery is vivid and gives a deep look at what it may have been like for many who fought in WWII and what they had to do for their own survival and for the survival of their country.

[Jamee Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked forward to the moment I could sit down everyday and read The Red Fields of France. The characters were endearing and intriguing. The battle scenes were gripping and detailed enough to help me picture it in my mind. There was glory and honor, but I also felt for the characters as they faced the horrors of war. As an American, I didn’t really know about England’s history in WWII and really enjoyed Winston Churchill’s perspective. So glad I read this book!