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The War To End All Wars #1
Falling Into Battle
October 1913 and the St Vincent is in Portsmouth harbour, where four midshipmen have come to the end of their first two-year cruise. Called to Captain Ironside’s cabin, they learn their fate. Three are made sublieutenant, the fourth is pushed out of the Navy, a failure.
There was no tolerance in the Royal Navy for weaklings and incompetents who failed to master the basics. They were beaten for every infraction of the rules of seamanship, encouraging them to conform or to get out.
Adams, born to the elite, is made sublieutenant and posted to Iron Duke, flagship of the Grand Fleet, and the latest and largest of superdreadnoughts.
McDuff goes to Good Hope cruiser bound for the South Atlantic. An old ship, and he had hoped for better, but there were chances to specialise on an armoured cruiser.
Sturton, able and slightly maverick, hoped to be sent to another battleship where he could become a gunnery specialist, but instead goes to Sheldrake, a destroyer joining the Mediterranean Fleet. Destroyers were wet, cold, and uncomfortable, but it could be the making of his career.
Baker, the failure, had never fit in. He came from the wrong background and was ostracised aboard ship, left on his own to survive the best he could. Rejected by the Navy, he is forced to join the Territorial Army or be disowned by his rich, vulgar father. Nineteen years of age and dumped on the scrapheap.
War comes in August and the four young men meet its challenges in surprising ways.
There was no tolerance in the Royal Navy for weaklings and incompetents who failed to master the basics. They were beaten for every infraction of the rules of seamanship, encouraging them to conform or to get out.
Adams, born to the elite, is made sublieutenant and posted to Iron Duke, flagship of the Grand Fleet, and the latest and largest of superdreadnoughts.
McDuff goes to Good Hope cruiser bound for the South Atlantic. An old ship, and he had hoped for better, but there were chances to specialise on an armoured cruiser.
Sturton, able and slightly maverick, hoped to be sent to another battleship where he could become a gunnery specialist, but instead goes to Sheldrake, a destroyer joining the Mediterranean Fleet. Destroyers were wet, cold, and uncomfortable, but it could be the making of his career.
Baker, the failure, had never fit in. He came from the wrong background and was ostracised aboard ship, left on his own to survive the best he could. Rejected by the Navy, he is forced to join the Territorial Army or be disowned by his rich, vulgar father. Nineteen years of age and dumped on the scrapheap.
War comes in August and the four young men meet its challenges in surprising ways.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2020
340 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 14, 2024
Rattling good
Anyone who enjoys a well written was story will enjoy this one. Excellent historical fiction! A bit like looking through a window back in time.
Anyone who enjoys a well written was story will enjoy this one. Excellent historical fiction! A bit like looking through a window back in time.
May 24, 2020
Pip -Pip, cheerio carry on and fight the Huns
It is Spring 1914 in England when the book begins. Four midshipmen have finished their last training cruise and are about to get their commissions and first assignments to a ship. Three of the young men have done well, and are considered fit to serve on the Royal Navy, and one simply will not do. Sent home in disgrace, he is told by his father, who never did have much faith in his son’s ability to succeed at anything, to take the money he lays on his desk, ten gold sovereigns , and never darken the family honor,or join the Territorial reserve army( a sort of national guard). He does, and of course is very soon sent to France where he distinguishes himself as a good officer. The other three young men go into the Royal Navy, and eventually into battle.
It was instructive to me at the class distinctions of British society were so prevalent in the esteemed naval service. One wonders how the ships managed to fight and survive considering the dead head officer class commanding ships because of seniority and family connections. ( True in the army, also.) The treatment of the sailors , seen as dolts, louts and peasants would amaze any of today’s sailors. This book ends just as the German forces are stopped before Paris and trench warfare begins. At sea, the Royal Navy’s cockiness, elevated after some victorious minor clashes with German patrol boats, is dashed when in real battles on the high seas some British cruisers are sunk by the German Navy .The war will is beginning for real.
The story moves quickly, and is interesting for the most part. The reader does get some insight into the main characters as the book progresses. The author covers the adventures of the four officers in each of the chapters. I found it was often necessary to flip backwards a page or two to make sure who was being described, especially among the three naval chaps, as they were much the same type. One character on this or that ship melted into another. I thought that the Army officer the most interesting of the four. I did get tired of all the “ Carry On Jeeves”, “stiff-upper lip” and “ it just won’t do “sort of talk, but I hope that as the three sequels unfold and the war continues, the characters will develop also and have definition.
The second book in the series is available on Kindle Unlimited also ( at least as of now) , so I will give the author a chance to bring things into better focus. Mr Wareham, is a facile writer of many book genres, so I shall see.
As for book one, three stars. Free on KU...give it a try.
It is Spring 1914 in England when the book begins. Four midshipmen have finished their last training cruise and are about to get their commissions and first assignments to a ship. Three of the young men have done well, and are considered fit to serve on the Royal Navy, and one simply will not do. Sent home in disgrace, he is told by his father, who never did have much faith in his son’s ability to succeed at anything, to take the money he lays on his desk, ten gold sovereigns , and never darken the family honor,or join the Territorial reserve army( a sort of national guard). He does, and of course is very soon sent to France where he distinguishes himself as a good officer. The other three young men go into the Royal Navy, and eventually into battle.
It was instructive to me at the class distinctions of British society were so prevalent in the esteemed naval service. One wonders how the ships managed to fight and survive considering the dead head officer class commanding ships because of seniority and family connections. ( True in the army, also.) The treatment of the sailors , seen as dolts, louts and peasants would amaze any of today’s sailors. This book ends just as the German forces are stopped before Paris and trench warfare begins. At sea, the Royal Navy’s cockiness, elevated after some victorious minor clashes with German patrol boats, is dashed when in real battles on the high seas some British cruisers are sunk by the German Navy .The war will is beginning for real.
The story moves quickly, and is interesting for the most part. The reader does get some insight into the main characters as the book progresses. The author covers the adventures of the four officers in each of the chapters. I found it was often necessary to flip backwards a page or two to make sure who was being described, especially among the three naval chaps, as they were much the same type. One character on this or that ship melted into another. I thought that the Army officer the most interesting of the four. I did get tired of all the “ Carry On Jeeves”, “stiff-upper lip” and “ it just won’t do “sort of talk, but I hope that as the three sequels unfold and the war continues, the characters will develop also and have definition.
The second book in the series is available on Kindle Unlimited also ( at least as of now) , so I will give the author a chance to bring things into better focus. Mr Wareham, is a facile writer of many book genres, so I shall see.
As for book one, three stars. Free on KU...give it a try.
April 12, 2023
Christopher Sturton and Richard Baker are two young midshipmen who have come to the end of their day as mids: Christopher is moving on greater things as a sublieutenant aboard His Majesty’s Ship Sheldrake, while Richard is being shown the door – politely. Out of the service and back home to dear old dad, who shows Rich the door rather more forcefully and tells him to join the Territorials so as not to further disgrace the family. But war is coming, and both young men will soon distinguish themselves. Falling into Battle is a novel of the opening months of the War, witnessed primarily at sea (the Live Bait Squadron loss is portrayed) but with an increasingly strong land portion, following Richard as he discovers reserves in the trenches he never suspected he had at sea. Chris is also an interesting character, as he’s the orphaned product of a mixed (Christian/Jewish) marriage and effectively disowned by both sets of grandparents, aside from a small trust that gives him financial support. The book is extremely detailed, making it of great interest for those who want to learn more about the workings of ships of this transitional era (coal was giving way to diesel, and some of the older Navy men began their careers in the last days of sail), but a lot of the exposition is carried by dialogue. This creates a funny little dynamic between scenes where characters are lecturing each other, or engaging in spats of very dry humor about the brass and the like. I liked the gist of the story, especially Baker’s arc, but I suspect the sometimes mechanical dialogue could get wearisome if one read several of these close together. It’s nothing on the level of Max Hennessy, but if you want something like a technical thriller set during the early war, it may be of interest.
June 5, 2020
Well written First World War Novel
The author is a student of British military history. He depicts the Royal Navy and Army social status and organization correctly as to the period at the onsetetof the First Wold War. The storyline is engaging and educational both as it relates to the initial days of the war to include tactics, training and employment of both the Royal Navy and Army. While the two main protagonist's characters are decently developed , I wish there had been more development of the other two Midshipmen who appeared to be main characters at the beginning of the book. Regardless, I enjoyed both the story and the accurate depiction of both military life and the actions involved. I anticipate the follow on books of the series to be just as well written with the story lines being further developed with additional characters to follow. I recommend this book as an entertaining read.
The author is a student of British military history. He depicts the Royal Navy and Army social status and organization correctly as to the period at the onsetetof the First Wold War. The storyline is engaging and educational both as it relates to the initial days of the war to include tactics, training and employment of both the Royal Navy and Army. While the two main protagonist's characters are decently developed , I wish there had been more development of the other two Midshipmen who appeared to be main characters at the beginning of the book. Regardless, I enjoyed both the story and the accurate depiction of both military life and the actions involved. I anticipate the follow on books of the series to be just as well written with the story lines being further developed with additional characters to follow. I recommend this book as an entertaining read.
February 19, 2021
Rich WWI Series
This WWI saga is all the richer for Andrew Wareham’s trademark “split-screen” storytelling. It follows four young men beginning with their final moments serving together as midshipman early in 1914 until early 1915. Rather than limiting this to a naval setting, One of the midshipman, Richard Butler, is spectacularly immature and unsuited to naval life. He ends up in the army as a last chance to make good before his father washes his hands of his only son.
I have learned a lot every time I have read an Andrew Wareham book. I like that the action advances not just from four perspectives but in four very different settings. While it isn’t necessary, I found myself going to Wikipedia or looking up maps to dig deeper into the setting or location. I look forward to continuing the series and heartily recommend it to those interested in wartime historical novels.
This WWI saga is all the richer for Andrew Wareham’s trademark “split-screen” storytelling. It follows four young men beginning with their final moments serving together as midshipman early in 1914 until early 1915. Rather than limiting this to a naval setting, One of the midshipman, Richard Butler, is spectacularly immature and unsuited to naval life. He ends up in the army as a last chance to make good before his father washes his hands of his only son.
I have learned a lot every time I have read an Andrew Wareham book. I like that the action advances not just from four perspectives but in four very different settings. While it isn’t necessary, I found myself going to Wikipedia or looking up maps to dig deeper into the setting or location. I look forward to continuing the series and heartily recommend it to those interested in wartime historical novels.
January 8, 2021
The story follows the adventures of four young officers during the run-up to and opening weeks of the First World War. I found it engaging and definitely mean to read the next in the series. The only reason I didn’t give it a higher rating is the, to my mind, excessive emphasis on navy and army procedure and technology, especially guns. Each time a ship’s name is introduced we get an exhaustive description of its size, speed, and armaments, usually in the form of a dialogue between characters. At first I was irritated by the Boys Own, let’s beat the Hun and hurrah for the empire vibe, with no reflection on the causes of the war or regret at the collapse of European peace, but on second thoughts it probably reflects how people thought at the time.
March 6, 2021
Generally, a ripping good yarn (or yarns more correctly). I found myself drawn into the storylines and felt quite believable. There were certainly some insight into the naivety that prefaced the early months of war.
I found a couple of small things in the writing style a little distracting. First was the prolific use of “!” at the end of spoken sentences - usually by officers. I imagine it was to convey an ardent tone but it left me feeling like Biggles had somehow slipped into the story. Second was the omission of conjunctions, leaving the end of sentences feeling clipped and often needing to be re-read. It’s not that it’s wrong - just different, and it would be interesting to know what it was intended to achieve.
Looking forward to boxing on with the next book in the series.
I found a couple of small things in the writing style a little distracting. First was the prolific use of “!” at the end of spoken sentences - usually by officers. I imagine it was to convey an ardent tone but it left me feeling like Biggles had somehow slipped into the story. Second was the omission of conjunctions, leaving the end of sentences feeling clipped and often needing to be re-read. It’s not that it’s wrong - just different, and it would be interesting to know what it was intended to achieve.
Looking forward to boxing on with the next book in the series.
September 13, 2023
WWI: 3 young sailors & a soldier
Andrew Wareham, whose books about the two world wars have primarily covered aviators, features the careers of four young men following their two years as Naval midshipman.
Three are commissioned as Naval sublieutenants (the equivalent of lieutenant j.g. in the US Navy), while the fourth, having done poorly as a midshipman, takes a commission in the Territorial Army (loosely equivalent the the National Guard) before being sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force.
The book chronicles their lives as England enters into the “War to End all Wars”.
Recommended.
Andrew Wareham, whose books about the two world wars have primarily covered aviators, features the careers of four young men following their two years as Naval midshipman.
Three are commissioned as Naval sublieutenants (the equivalent of lieutenant j.g. in the US Navy), while the fourth, having done poorly as a midshipman, takes a commission in the Territorial Army (loosely equivalent the the National Guard) before being sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force.
The book chronicles their lives as England enters into the “War to End all Wars”.
Recommended.
May 30, 2020
To say this book is gripping is to use understatement. Five men from the same training experience are sent in five different directions, and end up all over the world at the beginning of World War I. It's good to read this one with a 3x5 card having their names on it, so you can track who is who and where, but it will get easier by the end of the book. Good description of life on land and sea during a critical time in Britain's long rule over an empire that would have broken up within a hundred years of that 1914 watershed. Now we get to wait for the next in the series.
October 22, 2021
Well written, great character development, an engrossing read !
I was much impressed with the authors ability to accurately mention historical details all the while effectively developing the characters serving in both Great Britain’s army & navy. The author has successfully woven all of this in a way that was entertaining and neither boring nor tedious. Obviously a very capable and skilled story teller to say the least. A damned good read that will have you turning pages and more than likely causing you difficulty in putting the book down for the night.
I was much impressed with the authors ability to accurately mention historical details all the while effectively developing the characters serving in both Great Britain’s army & navy. The author has successfully woven all of this in a way that was entertaining and neither boring nor tedious. Obviously a very capable and skilled story teller to say the least. A damned good read that will have you turning pages and more than likely causing you difficulty in putting the book down for the night.
August 4, 2020
Splendid writing
Wareham is a gifted writer, who has clearly researched his goods well. This is the #1 book in his "The War to End All wars" series. Each book tends to be short, and reading an entire Wareham series is not cheap. While an earlier series covered life and battle on a British WW1 submarine, this one follows four men through the early days of the war, some in the army, some in the navy.
Recommended.
Wareham is a gifted writer, who has clearly researched his goods well. This is the #1 book in his "The War to End All wars" series. Each book tends to be short, and reading an entire Wareham series is not cheap. While an earlier series covered life and battle on a British WW1 submarine, this one follows four men through the early days of the war, some in the army, some in the navy.
Recommended.
June 9, 2020
I want to read more from this author. This book was very insightful of British arrogance believing that no one could defeat the British fleet. All militaries are guilty of this until they find out that they might lose. Historically accurate and enjoyably written. I strongly recommend this highly entertaining and highly plausible story.
June 30, 2020
Good beginning
A good read that follows 4 men during the beginning of WWI. Interesting how the men were used and performed after entering the Royal Navy from Dartmouth. It shows how each completed their entry phase and ended up being able to be a positive force in there restrictive areas of combat. And is abrupt and leaves one wanting more.
A good read that follows 4 men during the beginning of WWI. Interesting how the men were used and performed after entering the Royal Navy from Dartmouth. It shows how each completed their entry phase and ended up being able to be a positive force in there restrictive areas of combat. And is abrupt and leaves one wanting more.
August 29, 2020
Another good Andrew Wareham book.
Well researched, well written and keeps you interested.
Read it twice now, once on its own and now to refresh the characters before book 2 in series. He does tend to jump straight from one book to a second without a quick prefix of previous books in the series.
Well researched, well written and keeps you interested.
Read it twice now, once on its own and now to refresh the characters before book 2 in series. He does tend to jump straight from one book to a second without a quick prefix of previous books in the series.
May 7, 2021
Loved the detail in this story and learned so much about Naval life that we never see. The character development is excellent and my wife and I couldn’t wait for the next book in the series’s. Our son is a student at the Naval War College and, being mostly an Army oriented family, the similarities and differences were fascinating. Highly recommend.
October 28, 2021
No such thing as a good war
This story reveals the incompetence and bravado of those in charge , while the youth and naivete of the ordinary soldiers and sailors disappeared rather quickly when war came. The reader becomes invested in the stories and fates of the characters, which are compelling. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
This story reveals the incompetence and bravado of those in charge , while the youth and naivete of the ordinary soldiers and sailors disappeared rather quickly when war came. The reader becomes invested in the stories and fates of the characters, which are compelling. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.
December 3, 2022
Very good
A nicely written story about naval and land warfare at the outbreak of World War I. I found the naval actions to be particularly interesting with the description of life on the warships.
Unfortunately, the book ends rather abruptly and the reader is required to buy the next book in the series.
A nicely written story about naval and land warfare at the outbreak of World War I. I found the naval actions to be particularly interesting with the description of life on the warships.
Unfortunately, the book ends rather abruptly and the reader is required to buy the next book in the series.
February 15, 2023
Another excellent book
Strange the way the stories of the four characters work to bring the early days of WW1 into some sort of perspective. Different people, backgrounds, views but same underlying horrors. Having been reading his other books I'm hooked on the authors ability to stop you putting his books down!
Strange the way the stories of the four characters work to bring the early days of WW1 into some sort of perspective. Different people, backgrounds, views but same underlying horrors. Having been reading his other books I'm hooked on the authors ability to stop you putting his books down!
June 20, 2020
War has no favorites
The start of the Great War is seldom written of. " Falling Into Battle "" is a great read and covers the confusion and chaos of late 1914 and the lives of 4 young men who quickly different ways as the war begins. I am looking forward to reading the sequel(s).
The start of the Great War is seldom written of. " Falling Into Battle "" is a great read and covers the confusion and chaos of late 1914 and the lives of 4 young men who quickly different ways as the war begins. I am looking forward to reading the sequel(s).
August 21, 2020
WWI BR NAVY & ARMY- Both Wet
Excellent writing incl character development. Both fast paced and accurate w difficult leadership sit and early war realities shown. “Home Before Christmas”? Realities are well portrayed.
Excellent writing incl character development. Both fast paced and accurate w difficult leadership sit and early war realities shown. “Home Before Christmas”? Realities are well portrayed.
November 14, 2020
Very good story
Was a very good story. I'm usually a ww 2 fan, so this was a nice break in history reading. However did just read an alternate history book on this time period so I recognize many of the higher officers name. Will read book two
Was a very good story. I'm usually a ww 2 fan, so this was a nice break in history reading. However did just read an alternate history book on this time period so I recognize many of the higher officers name. Will read book two
December 22, 2020
A new take on an old war.
Very interesting approach. As a naval historian, I enjoyed the detail on the battle of Coronel, and the loss of Good Hope. Well written, and the separate plot lines flow well.
Very interesting approach. As a naval historian, I enjoyed the detail on the battle of Coronel, and the loss of Good Hope. Well written, and the separate plot lines flow well.
February 6, 2021
Excellent start
An interesting take on the first knocking of WW1 from the point of view of four very different Midshipmen. Their evolution in the early fighting and the attitudes of those around them make for a fascinating read
An interesting take on the first knocking of WW1 from the point of view of four very different Midshipmen. Their evolution in the early fighting and the attitudes of those around them make for a fascinating read
November 16, 2021
Excellent, I'm hooked and plan to read the rest of the series. Royal Navy (mostly) and British Army in opening months of WW1. Well written, good attention to details and historically accurate. Highly recommend.
May 7, 2022
Andrew Wareham has another success coming
Easy to get into. I am mostly interested in the naval aspects of the story but find the army portion also fascinating. Looking forward to next book This one is up to authors usual standards
Easy to get into. I am mostly interested in the naval aspects of the story but find the army portion also fascinating. Looking forward to next book This one is up to authors usual standards
August 13, 2022
WE I naval action
Interesting, easy read. Lots of military detail. Characters more interesting than I anticipated.......and way British. Lot of expository conversation, but not to the point of annoyance. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Interesting, easy read. Lots of military detail. Characters more interesting than I anticipated.......and way British. Lot of expository conversation, but not to the point of annoyance. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 18, 2024
Four Royal Navy Midshipmen finish their training in this novel, just in time for the First World War to begin.
Strong themes 0f class, and leadership completely out of touch with modern technology and methods, abound in this story.
Strong themes 0f class, and leadership completely out of touch with modern technology and methods, abound in this story.
May 15, 2020
A fascinating telling of the early days of WWI as seen through the experience of four midshipmen of 1913.
May 17, 2020
Good un
Nice fast paced story of four men in the first days of ww1. Stops near the end of 1914 so you want to read the next one!
Nice fast paced story of four men in the first days of ww1. Stops near the end of 1914 so you want to read the next one!
May 18, 2020
Interesting view of World War One
It was at the beginning a little disconcerting, with the switching of characters, that became more palatable as they became more familiar.
It was at the beginning a little disconcerting, with the switching of characters, that became more palatable as they became more familiar.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews