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The War Years #1
1914
It’s 1914 and the great powers of Europe are on the brink of war. In Holbeck, Leeds, the Keeton family struggles to get by on their meagre wages. The six Keeton brothers couldn’t be more different, but the outbreak of World War I puts their lives on hold and sets them on a course of destruction.
Danny Keeton drags his identical twin brother Charlie off to war with the idea that this will be one great adventure. At the tender age of fourteen, he soon discovers war is no place for boys. With the sadistic Sergeant Archibald Braddock and the tender Corporal Nathan Dettmer alongside them, the only goal is to stay alive long enough to make it back home.
But how many of the brothers will survive the first brutal year of the bloodiest conflict in human history?
***
Remember to check out my original Made in Yorkshire series, where you can meet the offspring of many of the characters featured here. It all starts with 1964 (Made in Yorkshire Book 1), which you can own for free today!
Danny Keeton drags his identical twin brother Charlie off to war with the idea that this will be one great adventure. At the tender age of fourteen, he soon discovers war is no place for boys. With the sadistic Sergeant Archibald Braddock and the tender Corporal Nathan Dettmer alongside them, the only goal is to stay alive long enough to make it back home.
But how many of the brothers will survive the first brutal year of the bloodiest conflict in human history?
***
Remember to check out my original Made in Yorkshire series, where you can meet the offspring of many of the characters featured here. It all starts with 1964 (Made in Yorkshire Book 1), which you can own for free today!
199 pages, ebook
First published June 17, 2015
1320 people are currently reading
1355 people want to read
About the author
James Farner
38 books826 followersJames Farner is a professional writer and draws upon his love of fiction and his love of stories that span generations. His signature series Made in Yorkshire was born out of a desire to find out ‘what happened next?’
At the end of every good film, book, or TV show the characters disappear and that’s the end of them. James isn’t alone in the desire to find out what happened to the characters afterwards.
This is how Made in Yorkshire appeared. Starting from 1953 and driving on to the modern day, James explores the different eras of Britain through his colourful cast of characters.
Prior to writing fiction, he enjoyed a career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared online, in magazines, and in a variety of other publications.
When not writing, he can be found sketching, watching sports, and playing the tin whistle.
At the end of every good film, book, or TV show the characters disappear and that’s the end of them. James isn’t alone in the desire to find out what happened to the characters afterwards.
This is how Made in Yorkshire appeared. Starting from 1953 and driving on to the modern day, James explores the different eras of Britain through his colourful cast of characters.
Prior to writing fiction, he enjoyed a career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared online, in magazines, and in a variety of other publications.
When not writing, he can be found sketching, watching sports, and playing the tin whistle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 13, 2020
I enjoyed this book a lot. Reading about the younger brothers and friends who sign up, even though they are too young, to fight in WWI.
The book starts out learning about life in a factory town in England and the living conditions there. Also what it takes to just survive.
The brothers are all different personalities and deal them the problems around them.
After they enlist, unknown to there mother, we follow them through training and into the trenches.
As the story progresses I felt the cold, wet and muddy conditions in the trench. The fear they felt and what they were ask to do.
As the story is unfolding and things are heating up the story continues in 1915 the next book, which I bought.
The book starts out learning about life in a factory town in England and the living conditions there. Also what it takes to just survive.
The brothers are all different personalities and deal them the problems around them.
After they enlist, unknown to there mother, we follow them through training and into the trenches.
As the story progresses I felt the cold, wet and muddy conditions in the trench. The fear they felt and what they were ask to do.
As the story is unfolding and things are heating up the story continues in 1915 the next book, which I bought.
September 5, 2018
This was a very well-written book that kept my interest throughout. This is high praise because I'm not a historical reader (other than certain fiction and romance authors) and I have found many war books lose me as a reader.
Highly Recommend!
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
My Rating: 5 stars
Highly Recommend!
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
My Rating: 5 stars
December 23, 2015
To be honest I expected the whole book to be what it was for the last 40%... Boys and men at the western front. As bad as it may sound, as as much as I don't like war, I like reading war books. it's the aspect of humanity that I seek from them.
However, first half of the book introduces us to the Keeton brothers and family and Jack. I'm not saying this is a bad thing- 1914 is the first book in the series and naturally, readers need to get a sense of characters to fully understand the differences between them. So in that regard, it was a good strong 3 stars for me.
The Keeton twins are 14 years old (they turn 15 at the war front) and they have 3 more brothers in the same war.
We meet Braddock and Dettmer.. at the end of the book, their involvement in one of the Keeton brothers "disappearance" comes clearly and with a little twist. The prologue of the book, even though one might find it confusing, is actually
I want to give the second book a try! It seems things have picked up pace now and I would like to believe 1915 is right down my alley.
However, first half of the book introduces us to the Keeton brothers and family and Jack. I'm not saying this is a bad thing- 1914 is the first book in the series and naturally, readers need to get a sense of characters to fully understand the differences between them. So in that regard, it was a good strong 3 stars for me.
The Keeton twins are 14 years old (they turn 15 at the war front) and they have 3 more brothers in the same war.
We meet Braddock and Dettmer.. at the end of the book, their involvement in one of the Keeton brothers "disappearance" comes clearly and with a little twist. The prologue of the book, even though one might find it confusing, is actually
I want to give the second book a try! It seems things have picked up pace now and I would like to believe 1915 is right down my alley.
December 5, 2024
I was so excited when I got this book and I could not wait to start reading it. And I was so disappointed. The title is very misleading. It does start in 1914 but a least half the book is about juvenile delinquents in their home suburb. Eventually they enlist and are inevitably bullied by an over bearing sergeant. This reminded me of the original film version of All Quiet on the Western Front. Finally they get to the front. They join in a couple of pieces of action. No one gets hurt. The book concludes with a major act of cowardice. I was unimpressed.
September 14, 2017
Depressing.
Not the writing style, but the subject matter. Poor children from northern England who have nothing better in their lives than to volunteer to join the army and fight in the Great War.
The main characters are Charlie and Daniel who are twins from a family of six children. Unfortunately there are too many names and similarly named kids in the beginning and it is rather confusing. A friend Jack and a brother Jacob who is sometimes called Jake. Surely you could change a name here!
Not the writing style, but the subject matter. Poor children from northern England who have nothing better in their lives than to volunteer to join the army and fight in the Great War.
The main characters are Charlie and Daniel who are twins from a family of six children. Unfortunately there are too many names and similarly named kids in the beginning and it is rather confusing. A friend Jack and a brother Jacob who is sometimes called Jake. Surely you could change a name here!
September 22, 2015
I just could not get past the 3rd chapter of this book. It started off very confusing and did not get any better by the time I put it down. I wish I could recommend it, but at this time, NO.
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April 8, 2018the only good thing about this book was it was free
a poor read , terrible plot and rubbish characters, poorly researched
if you haven't started don't bother
a poor read , terrible plot and rubbish characters, poorly researched
if you haven't started don't bother
January 3, 2016
The year is 1914, and war has just been declared in Britain. Many young men are eager to fight, to destroy the loathed Germans. But at home, two twin boys are unfazed by the war, busy playing pranks on their townspeople. This is the backdrop of the plot in 1914: The War Years, written by James Farner. The book focuses on the typical life of a child in 1914 England as well as how the war disrupted it.
Danny and Charlie Keeton are well-known pranksters in their town. Their oldest brother has gone off to war, the second brother hangs around in the slums, and their mother is a heavy drinker. Another brother sits in his room all day, sending letters to the government for a job, and the youngest brother is sickly. Danny and Charlie are the only ones that support the family, working in a factory near town. They decide that the factory job does not provide enough, and so they start selling homemade cigarettes to the children around the area. Eventually, they collect enough money to make their mother suspicious of their actions. When ten boxes of cigarettes are found inside the house, they are beaten with a belt by their elder brother as punishment. Utterly dejected, they start working in the factory again, only to be thrashed by wealthy children that are jealous of their success. The twins stay in the house after this incident, too afraid to step outside, when war comes to their little town. The army has come and is recruiting adults to fight for England. To help the family financially, the third oldest brother, Jacob, decides to sign up to fight in the army. Even though he is not eighteen, Danny resolves to join the army as well, craving for adventure. The next day, Danny accompanies Jacob to ‘wish him goodbye’. Charlie tags along, unaware of Danny’s plan. Jacob and Danny both sign up, forcing the helpless Charlie to follow suit.
Danny soon finds that military life is not the glamorous life he imagined it to be. Braddock, the hostile drill sergeant, puts them through a rigorous training course. Danny finds himself hard-pressed to keep up with demands of the army. He also finds that Charlie is bitter about being manipulated to join the army. After the twins make up, they meet a friend who is a corporal and is the only one who can keep Braddock under control. He becomes their mentor and guardian. After primary training is completed, they are shipped out to war in Ypres. The German and British troops have been at an impasse for a few days, and an attack is planned for the next day. At dawn, the British troops climb over their trenches and attack the Germans. Danny experiences the true horror of war as he runs towards the enemy. Soldiers are falling dead all around him, and he is deafened by the sound of exploding shells. After the enemy trench is captured, Danny realizes that he really does not want to continue in the war. He borrows a German rifle from the corporal, and the next time he goes over the trench wall, he shoots himself in the leg. The book ends with Danny lying in the hospital, talking to Charlie. Charlie tells him that Jacob was reported missing that morning. Danny wonders, “How did I end up here?”
Farner appears to have performed extensive research to write this book, and he describes the life of a boy during World War I in great detail. The book grabs the reader, as Farner provides emotional situations that readers can connect with and sympathize. Farner illustrates what English society was like during the first World War. Most poor children worked in factories to support their family, and many teenagers fought in the bloody conflict that killed over 17 million people. Despite being a fictional book, Farner gives an in-depth view into history using illustrations like the the one above as the background. He also introduces an element of verse in his writing, deftly veering away from the usual prose in fictional literature. Learning about the life of a boy in 1914 was more entertaining than expected, setting a high bar for the rest of the books in the series.
Danny and Charlie Keeton are well-known pranksters in their town. Their oldest brother has gone off to war, the second brother hangs around in the slums, and their mother is a heavy drinker. Another brother sits in his room all day, sending letters to the government for a job, and the youngest brother is sickly. Danny and Charlie are the only ones that support the family, working in a factory near town. They decide that the factory job does not provide enough, and so they start selling homemade cigarettes to the children around the area. Eventually, they collect enough money to make their mother suspicious of their actions. When ten boxes of cigarettes are found inside the house, they are beaten with a belt by their elder brother as punishment. Utterly dejected, they start working in the factory again, only to be thrashed by wealthy children that are jealous of their success. The twins stay in the house after this incident, too afraid to step outside, when war comes to their little town. The army has come and is recruiting adults to fight for England. To help the family financially, the third oldest brother, Jacob, decides to sign up to fight in the army. Even though he is not eighteen, Danny resolves to join the army as well, craving for adventure. The next day, Danny accompanies Jacob to ‘wish him goodbye’. Charlie tags along, unaware of Danny’s plan. Jacob and Danny both sign up, forcing the helpless Charlie to follow suit.
Danny soon finds that military life is not the glamorous life he imagined it to be. Braddock, the hostile drill sergeant, puts them through a rigorous training course. Danny finds himself hard-pressed to keep up with demands of the army. He also finds that Charlie is bitter about being manipulated to join the army. After the twins make up, they meet a friend who is a corporal and is the only one who can keep Braddock under control. He becomes their mentor and guardian. After primary training is completed, they are shipped out to war in Ypres. The German and British troops have been at an impasse for a few days, and an attack is planned for the next day. At dawn, the British troops climb over their trenches and attack the Germans. Danny experiences the true horror of war as he runs towards the enemy. Soldiers are falling dead all around him, and he is deafened by the sound of exploding shells. After the enemy trench is captured, Danny realizes that he really does not want to continue in the war. He borrows a German rifle from the corporal, and the next time he goes over the trench wall, he shoots himself in the leg. The book ends with Danny lying in the hospital, talking to Charlie. Charlie tells him that Jacob was reported missing that morning. Danny wonders, “How did I end up here?”
Farner appears to have performed extensive research to write this book, and he describes the life of a boy during World War I in great detail. The book grabs the reader, as Farner provides emotional situations that readers can connect with and sympathize. Farner illustrates what English society was like during the first World War. Most poor children worked in factories to support their family, and many teenagers fought in the bloody conflict that killed over 17 million people. Despite being a fictional book, Farner gives an in-depth view into history using illustrations like the the one above as the background. He also introduces an element of verse in his writing, deftly veering away from the usual prose in fictional literature. Learning about the life of a boy in 1914 was more entertaining than expected, setting a high bar for the rest of the books in the series.
October 19, 2017
This book is very dialogue driven, but I felt the dialogue was rather simplistic. To be fair I only made it through 3 chapters.
July 27, 2019
This one is not for me. I usually enjoy historical fiction, and the blurb looked good, but I didn’t get very far into this book and had to give it up. I couldn’t get into the writing style at all, and the characters were very one dimensional, and several times the names swapped around (typo I guess). It didn’t feel like the author knew much about the time period or the characters he wanted to write about, the writing also seemed childish. Sorry, I didn’t enjoy at all.
March 4, 2017
I wanted to like this book as I enjoy reading historical fiction. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get interested in the characters. The book appears to start on the front lines of World War I with the death of an Irish lad, and then jumps back to his home life before the war. The part about the home life seemed to drag and was full of confusing references to other brothers. I finally gave up on reading it because it just didn't appeal to me. I was disappointed because this is the first book in a series which I had hoped to read, but since I didn't get through the first one, I will not attempt the remaining books.
November 2, 2017
I nearly gave up at the beginning, which was squalid and dealing with characters whose behaviour was reprehensible - and it was pre-war, so the squalor and immorality were nothing to do with the war itself. I pressed ahead and found I began to care what happened to them. I found some oddities in the text: there were sporadic Americanisms (e.g. dove as the past tense of dive); there was repeated misunderstanding of the verbs to lie and to lay; there were several mistakes with apostrophes. A second, corrected edition would make the reading experience seamless. I hope with the second book that the characters continue to grow on me.
June 6, 2018
1914 follows a pair of identical 14-year-old twins, Danny and Charlie Keeton, who lie about their age and enlist when World War I breaks out. For a novel set (at least partially - the very slow first half essentially consists of the twins and their brothers bullying each other and the twins getting smacked around by their mother back home in Yorkshire) in the trenches of WWI, this was astonishingly uneventful for the most part. The flat and not particularly likable characters didn't help.
June 13, 2017
Moderate
The writing (and editing) in this book is far better than I am accustomed to finding in new books, especially ebooks, but there still seems to be a bit of a struggle with pacing and transitions. I'm not sure if I will continue reading this series. All of the characters either lack depth or or appear to lack depth because the reader has not been provided with ANY explanation of a character's motivation. The lack of exposition is probably the greatest flaw of this book.
The writing (and editing) in this book is far better than I am accustomed to finding in new books, especially ebooks, but there still seems to be a bit of a struggle with pacing and transitions. I'm not sure if I will continue reading this series. All of the characters either lack depth or or appear to lack depth because the reader has not been provided with ANY explanation of a character's motivation. The lack of exposition is probably the greatest flaw of this book.
January 28, 2017
Abrupt Ending
A good look at the probable mind set of young men during war. The focus is around a family of brothers, all enlisted. The ending of the first book is quite abrupt, and, as such, lowers my review. While this effectively leads to the next book in the series, it negates it from being a complete novel.
A good look at the probable mind set of young men during war. The focus is around a family of brothers, all enlisted. The ending of the first book is quite abrupt, and, as such, lowers my review. While this effectively leads to the next book in the series, it negates it from being a complete novel.
November 29, 2018
It took me forever to get through this book. I didn't find the characters engaging enough to make me want to turn the next page. I also thought the writing, while straight-forward, was very plain (like my son could have written this book). Perhaps I'm not the target audience for this book.
July 21, 2016
Lots of potential, but didn't live up to it. The characters are flat, and I didn't get
Much of a feel for place or time despite the "Yorkshirisms."
Much of a feel for place or time despite the "Yorkshirisms."
August 21, 2017
Not all that interesting, and I generally enjoy historical novels. Oh well.
March 30, 2019
Detail. A LOT of detail. 48% of this book decribes the minutia of day to day life in Liverpool in 1914. Shining a spotlight on a family of six boys and a greiving alcoholic mother as they struggle to make ends meet. Life is rough. Schooling doesn't last long and either factory work or going down the mines are their only choices for work.
The story is told from Danny's pov. He and his 14 year old twin brother Charlie, spend many hours kicking around with nothing much to do. Life becomes more interesting when a money making scheme comes their way.. but the true turning point of this book (the first of five) is when the first world war begins. Everything starts to change then and Danny makes a life altering decision without telling his twin.
So, will I read the other books in this series? Honestly, probably not. I got this one as a free download and the others are not available for free.
It is far too obvious that the writers plan was to drag this story out through several volumes so there is no sense of urgency in getting to the meat of the story.. for almost half the book we are just following two teenage boys around Liverpool as they get up to mischief. And because they are teenage boys, selfish and self-centered as all young teens are and they dont think that way or care about emotions or reasons... we don't really get to understand the family dynamic in any real sense. If it doesnt directly affect them they basically ignore the situation.
We barely know their two older brothers one of whom has a momentous event which causes barely a blip on the twins radar. The eldest is basically absent entirely, except for one scene. We hear indirectly about what caused their mother's problems, but no explanation for why she is so distant and uncaring, doing the bare minimum (sometimes not even that) to care for her sons but we also have no understanding of what is happening with Morgan, their youngest brother, who is badly neglected and apparently mentally challenged.
Overall it was a little disappointing, as the cover of the book and the first pages suggest we are getting right into the war. But then we skip back in time and all the teenage nonsense happens.
Lost a star for dragging out the story.
Three stars.
The story is told from Danny's pov. He and his 14 year old twin brother Charlie, spend many hours kicking around with nothing much to do. Life becomes more interesting when a money making scheme comes their way.. but the true turning point of this book (the first of five) is when the first world war begins. Everything starts to change then and Danny makes a life altering decision without telling his twin.
So, will I read the other books in this series? Honestly, probably not. I got this one as a free download and the others are not available for free.
It is far too obvious that the writers plan was to drag this story out through several volumes so there is no sense of urgency in getting to the meat of the story.. for almost half the book we are just following two teenage boys around Liverpool as they get up to mischief. And because they are teenage boys, selfish and self-centered as all young teens are and they dont think that way or care about emotions or reasons... we don't really get to understand the family dynamic in any real sense. If it doesnt directly affect them they basically ignore the situation.
We barely know their two older brothers one of whom has a momentous event which causes barely a blip on the twins radar. The eldest is basically absent entirely, except for one scene. We hear indirectly about what caused their mother's problems, but no explanation for why she is so distant and uncaring, doing the bare minimum (sometimes not even that) to care for her sons but we also have no understanding of what is happening with Morgan, their youngest brother, who is badly neglected and apparently mentally challenged.
Overall it was a little disappointing, as the cover of the book and the first pages suggest we are getting right into the war. But then we skip back in time and all the teenage nonsense happens.
Lost a star for dragging out the story.
Three stars.
March 27, 2018
An up close look at how WW1 affected the british working class by looking at a fiction family
This fami.y is the Keetans. Da has passed away leaving only Mam, as thboys call her and 6 sons varying in ages from 20 something to 10. It covers just prior to the war when the twin son were pretty much in trouble most of the time with mam or various criminal elements at that time that were petty. As soon as war is declared by Britain on Germany vast recruitment efforts are made by the government to keep and incrrase the manpower it has for the army. All but the youngest boy enlists in the army the youngest boys to enlist are 16 and te twin boysat 14. It teels oftheir experiences both in training and in the front lines. As one disappears under unknow circumstance to his brothers, one brother takes drastic action to find out about the wellbeing of their mother and rest of the family. It is an interexting read, and wellworth reading to get a little glimpse into the time and people of 1914.
This fami.y is the Keetans. Da has passed away leaving only Mam, as thboys call her and 6 sons varying in ages from 20 something to 10. It covers just prior to the war when the twin son were pretty much in trouble most of the time with mam or various criminal elements at that time that were petty. As soon as war is declared by Britain on Germany vast recruitment efforts are made by the government to keep and incrrase the manpower it has for the army. All but the youngest boy enlists in the army the youngest boys to enlist are 16 and te twin boysat 14. It teels oftheir experiences both in training and in the front lines. As one disappears under unknow circumstance to his brothers, one brother takes drastic action to find out about the wellbeing of their mother and rest of the family. It is an interexting read, and wellworth reading to get a little glimpse into the time and people of 1914.
March 26, 2017
I downloaded this book from a Kindle free promotion, and I quite enjoyed it. Set in Ireland before the outbreak of war, the books focuses on one family - the Keeton's who are a family of 5 boys with a single mum trying to make ends meet and the family dynamics of the different talents and interests. The main characters are Danny & Charlie - 14 yr old twins who lie about their age to join up.
It gives a glimpse into the home front as war breaks out and the jovial feeling of the perception of war as young men join up for the war that will be over by Christmas. The reality sets in as they go through basic training camp and sent off to the front line.
The story ends quite abruptly, and makes you want to keep reading - there are a number of books in the series, and I will probably read them all, they are an easy read and would be great for young people to have a broad overview of what the first world war may have been like to be part of.
It gives a glimpse into the home front as war breaks out and the jovial feeling of the perception of war as young men join up for the war that will be over by Christmas. The reality sets in as they go through basic training camp and sent off to the front line.
The story ends quite abruptly, and makes you want to keep reading - there are a number of books in the series, and I will probably read them all, they are an easy read and would be great for young people to have a broad overview of what the first world war may have been like to be part of.
June 29, 2020
I don't do book reviews
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way
August 8, 2019
Teenage reading material!
This book about six brothers during WWI is like reading material for teenage boys!
There are no depth to the characters. A lot of immature, pseudo-macho puffing of chests and childish antics set in a poverty stricken industrial town in England prior to the outbreak of war.
The dialogue is too modern and clumsy sentence structure hurts to read. All characters are one -dimensional and flat. I lost interest rapidly.
Not one I plan to read as a series. A basic cliffhanger to get you to continue this series. Wasn't worth my reading time and disappointing.
This book about six brothers during WWI is like reading material for teenage boys!
There are no depth to the characters. A lot of immature, pseudo-macho puffing of chests and childish antics set in a poverty stricken industrial town in England prior to the outbreak of war.
The dialogue is too modern and clumsy sentence structure hurts to read. All characters are one -dimensional and flat. I lost interest rapidly.
Not one I plan to read as a series. A basic cliffhanger to get you to continue this series. Wasn't worth my reading time and disappointing.
May 8, 2017
Like the author's other books, once I read sentence one of this story, I was hooked. The writing is easy and there's just enough description to flesh out the who and where of a situation to provide the setting in my imagination. His storyline moves along well and the characters are nicely developed to where you feel you know them. The dialogue made me feel like I was a fly on the wall of every conversation. Great subplots throughout kept me intrigued all the way to the end. This book is definitely worth the read and I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
October 25, 2020
2.5 stars
1914 took a while to get going for me, it was really only the second half of the book I was able to engage with. The first half of the book focused on the shenanigans of twins, Danny and Charlie, in their home town. From reading the blurb, you know these fourteen year old boys sign up, I’m just surprised it took so long to get the story going. I understand the importance of building the character profile, but I don’t think it added enough value considering the space it’s given. I’m reluctant to carry on with the series in fear that the next books fall into the same trap.
1914 took a while to get going for me, it was really only the second half of the book I was able to engage with. The first half of the book focused on the shenanigans of twins, Danny and Charlie, in their home town. From reading the blurb, you know these fourteen year old boys sign up, I’m just surprised it took so long to get the story going. I understand the importance of building the character profile, but I don’t think it added enough value considering the space it’s given. I’m reluctant to carry on with the series in fear that the next books fall into the same trap.
October 1, 2022
An interesting book for me as I went to college in Leeds so know the areas where it is set. The author captures the complete innocence of many of the young men who went to fight in WWI. Regarding it as an adventure, that they would only be away for a few weeks and home by christmas. The reality was of course completely different and we lost a generation. My only criticism is that scenes in the trenches do not really convey the true horror but that may come in the sequels. It is a short, easy read and kept my interest.
July 16, 2017
A very accurate description of life in the trenches, as I understand it. As an American I am not familiar with British slang, so much of the dialog was a mystery to me. The story line was very good, and I identified with the boys as I grey up in a similarl invironment
Very good read . I look forward to further adventures of the Keaton family and their education of The Great War.
Very good read . I look forward to further adventures of the Keaton family and their education of The Great War.
March 28, 2018
In all, a pretty good beginning of a series. I do intend to read the next one.
The Keeton family is quite interesting. I was particularly impressed with the amount of detail about their home & work life in Leeds (terrible), & then the detail concerning enlisting & being trained in warfare during WWI (quite shocking).
The bad guys are *very* bad (bad guys are not Germans in this context), but the good guys are complicated, too.
The Keeton family is quite interesting. I was particularly impressed with the amount of detail about their home & work life in Leeds (terrible), & then the detail concerning enlisting & being trained in warfare during WWI (quite shocking).
The bad guys are *very* bad (bad guys are not Germans in this context), but the good guys are complicated, too.
January 7, 2025
Reads well
I don't have anything bad to say about the book really, it was a little short which meant it moved quick but I wouldn't say it was too quick, the characters are rather two dimensional which isn't a bad thing if they're likeable. Danny isn't, though. He's really really hard to like in fact and has no redeeming qualities other than he's only 14. That said, the book once it shifts to WW1 becomes a lot more enjoyable.
I don't have anything bad to say about the book really, it was a little short which meant it moved quick but I wouldn't say it was too quick, the characters are rather two dimensional which isn't a bad thing if they're likeable. Danny isn't, though. He's really really hard to like in fact and has no redeeming qualities other than he's only 14. That said, the book once it shifts to WW1 becomes a lot more enjoyable.
June 13, 2017
Great book!!!
Great book! This was like all the others by James Farner I have read so far. It was very hard to put down. Very vivid descriptions makes the reader feel like they are witnessing all the action from a safe distance away. After finishing this one, I am glad I have the entire series to read in their proper order.
Great book! This was like all the others by James Farner I have read so far. It was very hard to put down. Very vivid descriptions makes the reader feel like they are witnessing all the action from a safe distance away. After finishing this one, I am glad I have the entire series to read in their proper order.
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