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Eleven Days
In April 1917 the average lifespan of a British pilot posted to the Western Front is just eleven days.
Eddie Grenville is 19, young, keen, idealistic. He hero worships his brother Percy, follows him into the RFC.
Then he finds that Percy has committed a war crime...
Eleven Days looks at how war changes people. Set against the events of Bloody April, it drops the reader into the most dangerous part of the first global war.
Eddie Grenville is 19, young, keen, idealistic. He hero worships his brother Percy, follows him into the RFC.
Then he finds that Percy has committed a war crime...
Eleven Days looks at how war changes people. Set against the events of Bloody April, it drops the reader into the most dangerous part of the first global war.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2020
30 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Havard
35 books18 followersMalcolm started writing fiction around 10 years ago, self-publishing three novels through Amazon including a mountaineering thriller, The Last Mountain, which has had more than 10,000 downloads. He also has two books published by a small publisher, including a collection of WW1 stories which topped the Amazon anthology best-sellers list at Christmas 2014.
His short stories have done well in a number of competitions, including runner-up placings for those run by Henshaw Press and the Mere Literary Festival.
Having written in several genres early in his career, Malcolm has now settled into writing historical fiction.
This includes LMF, a WW2 novel set during the RAFs controversial night bombing campaign, Leviathan, a novella about a young, frightened pilot hunting Zeppelins in the night during WW1, The Neutral Zone, a collection of short stories, and Eleven Days, a novel set around the events of 'Bloody April'. 1917.
LATEST NEWS!
The long-awaited sequel to LMF, The Way Back, is published 15 March 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 23, 2021
Eleven Days
By Malcolm Havard
Eleven days is a story primarily of the figure identified as Eddie. A young British pilot who witnessed the horrors of World War I. Friends and companions perish in just eleven days as it carried out its mission and its duty to its nation. The war-aged Eddie in a matter of eleven days!
Introspective and profound lines from this book captured my heart and thoughts. It pushed me a decent pause and quiet time to ponder:
To some war is a noble enterprise made up of a series of individual gallant actions.
Those of us who have experienced it, however, know that war merely provides the rationale for inexplicable acts of unspeakable cruelty, that the perpetrators must live with for the rest of their lives.
We were all the same: German, French, British, Australian, whatever. We were all brothers, yet they made us kill each other because our countries, our duty, said that we must.
Duty comes before humanity. If it didn’t, this would all stop. We were not yet ready to be human again. The evidence of that fact was all around us. We experienced it every day. Duty comes first.
One of the most engaging and contemplative historical fiction novels I read. The author cleverly writes the story in clear prose. It expounded well on the details concerning war and emotions felt.
Not a single line confused me. The thoughts of the author are precise, and the lines are silky.
The author never compromises and fearlessly explained the issues revolving around the evilness of war and the people in power and greed enterprising it. It never shied away to explore the effects of war on humankind and the people at the frontline, especially the army. War changed a person, even in just one battle engagement, like what happened to Percy and Eddie. They are men representing the lowly and some even elite soldiers. Bruised and altered by the wickedness of war and bankruptcy of the bureaucracy and system. In the broad spectrum, the novel confronted the evil side of capitalism and colonialism.
I read the book in one sitting. You do not want to put it down once you get started.
To Sir Malcolm Havard, I admire your work. You are bold and a very patient one. It is burdensome to write war and bruised characters. It is painful and taxing. But you made it look easy. I wish I could write like this, so intricately detailed and fearless.
Hats off to you, Sir Malcolm Havard. Your novel is truly a masterpiece! You are a treasure in this generation and generations to come. More power! Continue inspiring us!
By Malcolm Havard
Eleven days is a story primarily of the figure identified as Eddie. A young British pilot who witnessed the horrors of World War I. Friends and companions perish in just eleven days as it carried out its mission and its duty to its nation. The war-aged Eddie in a matter of eleven days!
Introspective and profound lines from this book captured my heart and thoughts. It pushed me a decent pause and quiet time to ponder:
To some war is a noble enterprise made up of a series of individual gallant actions.
Those of us who have experienced it, however, know that war merely provides the rationale for inexplicable acts of unspeakable cruelty, that the perpetrators must live with for the rest of their lives.
We were all the same: German, French, British, Australian, whatever. We were all brothers, yet they made us kill each other because our countries, our duty, said that we must.
Duty comes before humanity. If it didn’t, this would all stop. We were not yet ready to be human again. The evidence of that fact was all around us. We experienced it every day. Duty comes first.
One of the most engaging and contemplative historical fiction novels I read. The author cleverly writes the story in clear prose. It expounded well on the details concerning war and emotions felt.
Not a single line confused me. The thoughts of the author are precise, and the lines are silky.
The author never compromises and fearlessly explained the issues revolving around the evilness of war and the people in power and greed enterprising it. It never shied away to explore the effects of war on humankind and the people at the frontline, especially the army. War changed a person, even in just one battle engagement, like what happened to Percy and Eddie. They are men representing the lowly and some even elite soldiers. Bruised and altered by the wickedness of war and bankruptcy of the bureaucracy and system. In the broad spectrum, the novel confronted the evil side of capitalism and colonialism.
I read the book in one sitting. You do not want to put it down once you get started.
To Sir Malcolm Havard, I admire your work. You are bold and a very patient one. It is burdensome to write war and bruised characters. It is painful and taxing. But you made it look easy. I wish I could write like this, so intricately detailed and fearless.
Hats off to you, Sir Malcolm Havard. Your novel is truly a masterpiece! You are a treasure in this generation and generations to come. More power! Continue inspiring us!
May 20, 2021
This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
Wind on the struts. Loose fabric flapping against the fuselage. The world turn and turn around, the smell of gunpowder, oil, fuel, smoke, blood, dope, paint, flames. Crosses and roundels shooting each other over miriads of rats and barbwire in the trenches. Eleven days of fierce fight on the front are enough to change a soft and caring boy into a murderous flying machine. Inexcusable crimes are forgotten and even encouraged by the greater good of King and Country. Empire and family name are always first, even before family members.
War is hell.
This book is one of the best historical fictions I've read and certainly I cannot thank more both the author and booktasters for giving me the inmense pleasure of reviewing this masterpiece.
Wind on the struts. Loose fabric flapping against the fuselage. The world turn and turn around, the smell of gunpowder, oil, fuel, smoke, blood, dope, paint, flames. Crosses and roundels shooting each other over miriads of rats and barbwire in the trenches. Eleven days of fierce fight on the front are enough to change a soft and caring boy into a murderous flying machine. Inexcusable crimes are forgotten and even encouraged by the greater good of King and Country. Empire and family name are always first, even before family members.
War is hell.
This book is one of the best historical fictions I've read and certainly I cannot thank more both the author and booktasters for giving me the inmense pleasure of reviewing this masterpiece.
March 25, 2021
I am always interested in reading about ww1 and ww2 .How it changed the world
and has society really changed ??
I have read a few memoirs of world war so i was keen to read this book ,a story of two brothers who was a pilot.
There is a vivid description of wars and it gives us the glimpse of the society at that time.How the state machinery works
How war is sold or i would say encouraged as a greater good for the country if we think carefully exactly its not .There are many irrepercable crimes and ugly truth that is kept hidden .
How the generations are lost infighting between the countries .Some loses are irrepersible .
And its a great pleasure to read and review the book .I will be waiting for your next book and a very best of luck for your next project.
and has society really changed ??
I have read a few memoirs of world war so i was keen to read this book ,a story of two brothers who was a pilot.
There is a vivid description of wars and it gives us the glimpse of the society at that time.How the state machinery works
How war is sold or i would say encouraged as a greater good for the country if we think carefully exactly its not .There are many irrepercable crimes and ugly truth that is kept hidden .
How the generations are lost infighting between the countries .Some loses are irrepersible .
And its a great pleasure to read and review the book .I will be waiting for your next book and a very best of luck for your next project.
April 15, 2021
🅑🅞🅞🅚 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦
ELEVEN DAYS
by Malcolm Havard
In April 1917, the average lifespan of a British pilot on the Western Front is just eleven days. Eddie Grenville hero-worships his brother Percy, and follows him into the Royal Flying Corps much to the disgusting of his upper-class parents. He then finds out that Percy had committed an unspeakable act after being shot down. One that would have huge ramifications for his whole family should the truth become known.
Set during what would become known as "bloody April" because of the huge losses suffered by the Royal Flying Corps, and during the bloodbath that was the battle of Arras, Eleven Days addresses how war changes those involved.
I will admit up front that some of the passages in the book were difficult for me personally. That is because I struggle with PTSD and the ways my service has changed me.
Eleven Days is a very well written and compelling story, not just about the actual aerial combat or the effects on the ground, but also how those experiences irrevocably changed the main character, Eddie. The majority of the book is written from his perspective, and it was an uncomfortable yet compelling read, joining Eddie as his mental health suffered and he became little more than a shell of his former naive idealistic self.
The descriptions of flying felt very real and that made it very easy to visualise the flights, the nerves, the awful scenes unfolding in the trenches below, and the terror experienced by those young, inexperienced pilots.
I liked the main characters Eddie, Percy, and Annie, almost immediately, which made witnessing the way the war had affected each of them all the more tragic. As usual, there are also those who would capitalise on warfare for their own selfish purposes and they are present in this story, giving the reader someone to hate throughout.
Also present is the class system which still blighted society, and sought to keep 'commoners' in their place below the ruling elite.
The one criticism I can find is that the end felt a bit rushed and rather abrupt. Almost like the author needed to finish quickly, leaving the fates of several characters unresolved. Otherwise, I think Eleven Days is a supremely researched, and well written book, which I am happy to recommend to all readers. I have given this book four stars.
ELEVEN DAYS
by Malcolm Havard
In April 1917, the average lifespan of a British pilot on the Western Front is just eleven days. Eddie Grenville hero-worships his brother Percy, and follows him into the Royal Flying Corps much to the disgusting of his upper-class parents. He then finds out that Percy had committed an unspeakable act after being shot down. One that would have huge ramifications for his whole family should the truth become known.
Set during what would become known as "bloody April" because of the huge losses suffered by the Royal Flying Corps, and during the bloodbath that was the battle of Arras, Eleven Days addresses how war changes those involved.
I will admit up front that some of the passages in the book were difficult for me personally. That is because I struggle with PTSD and the ways my service has changed me.
Eleven Days is a very well written and compelling story, not just about the actual aerial combat or the effects on the ground, but also how those experiences irrevocably changed the main character, Eddie. The majority of the book is written from his perspective, and it was an uncomfortable yet compelling read, joining Eddie as his mental health suffered and he became little more than a shell of his former naive idealistic self.
The descriptions of flying felt very real and that made it very easy to visualise the flights, the nerves, the awful scenes unfolding in the trenches below, and the terror experienced by those young, inexperienced pilots.
I liked the main characters Eddie, Percy, and Annie, almost immediately, which made witnessing the way the war had affected each of them all the more tragic. As usual, there are also those who would capitalise on warfare for their own selfish purposes and they are present in this story, giving the reader someone to hate throughout.
Also present is the class system which still blighted society, and sought to keep 'commoners' in their place below the ruling elite.
The one criticism I can find is that the end felt a bit rushed and rather abrupt. Almost like the author needed to finish quickly, leaving the fates of several characters unresolved. Otherwise, I think Eleven Days is a supremely researched, and well written book, which I am happy to recommend to all readers. I have given this book four stars.
December 12, 2020
Reading Eleven Days is an intense experience and it resounds with authenticity. Its prose is in line with other novels/memoirs I have read of the Great War [Graves, Cloete, Manning for example] and social norms and behaviours and dialogue all ring true.
From my advanced age, one aspect that is amplified by this novel is the youth of the WW1 pilots that fought and too often died for their countries, only sometimes in combat because their flying machines were far from safe in airframe or engine. I note that Dr Havard has written about cowardice or LMF in an earlier novel and it rears its head here as it must in all books about war. But teenagers fighting to the death? Astounding and yet it continues.
The many ways in which war fliers deal with fear are an implicit part of this story - just as there are many types of fear, so are there many ways of dealing with them - almost none of them successful. The resultant young men [in this case] are physically and mentally damaged, wounds that we know lasted long after that war and every other war.
After action lasting just a few weeks, the repercussions of that action are examined and last far beyond that period. A story which encompasses the ground and air battles around Arras and its aftermath, British politics, the aristocracy, hospitals and a huge stage is cleverly exemplified by most of the plot occurring within a family and the people around it.
It was an enjoyable and interesting novel to read with necessary moments of anguish for the reader. I was involved throughout and thoroughly recommend it to readers of war stories and to those who are interested in psychological drama in an historic setting. Brilliant yarn!
From my advanced age, one aspect that is amplified by this novel is the youth of the WW1 pilots that fought and too often died for their countries, only sometimes in combat because their flying machines were far from safe in airframe or engine. I note that Dr Havard has written about cowardice or LMF in an earlier novel and it rears its head here as it must in all books about war. But teenagers fighting to the death? Astounding and yet it continues.
The many ways in which war fliers deal with fear are an implicit part of this story - just as there are many types of fear, so are there many ways of dealing with them - almost none of them successful. The resultant young men [in this case] are physically and mentally damaged, wounds that we know lasted long after that war and every other war.
After action lasting just a few weeks, the repercussions of that action are examined and last far beyond that period. A story which encompasses the ground and air battles around Arras and its aftermath, British politics, the aristocracy, hospitals and a huge stage is cleverly exemplified by most of the plot occurring within a family and the people around it.
It was an enjoyable and interesting novel to read with necessary moments of anguish for the reader. I was involved throughout and thoroughly recommend it to readers of war stories and to those who are interested in psychological drama in an historic setting. Brilliant yarn!
May 20, 2021
Malcolm harvard is one of the best novelist of his generation,it is an honour reviewing this fine piece of art,the novel speaks about a young fighter jet pilot named Edward and his struggle being a young pilot in the war,the novel let you know exactly how it feels to be a fighter pilot,the emotional trauma of losing friends and how everyday seems to be the last,malcolm left nothing out;he narrated the story in a unique manner. every page got you longing for the next,he didn't just write about what the pilot experience flying he also wrote their experience on land.I got hooked right from the prelude,there wasn't a boring moment,it is completely unpredictable,and I like the fact he didn't make everyone on the other side of the line look terrible,and the little romance scene like when Edward visited the village in France and when he met annie.it was enough to keep you interested in the novel and not to much to let you forget that you reading a war novel there were times I thought Edward was cruel but the war Isnt for the weak,the war really change people Edward and Percy are good examples.don't get me started on Maxwell Fitzroy's character a man who would go to any length to get his story,I can go on and on,but I am trying not to include spoiler,so others can enjoy it as much as I did,it is a 10/10 for me, it really can't get better than this.
March 16, 2021
I have read a lot of memoirs and histories of WW1 so was keen to read this book, a story of two brothers, both British pilots on the western front in 1917.
The 'war' part of the story has some good moments and vivid descriptions. The author manages to wear his research lightly whilst giving an imaginative feel for flying in tiny, dangerous and primitive planes in a bloody war. The shocking event which drives the book along, though perhaps a bit unlikely, makes a good hook to hang the story round and drives the plot forward.
The 'home front' part of the story is less successful. Away from the battlefield the characters are less realistic and generally one wishes to return to the front lines.
However, especially if it's not an area of deep interest for you, it's a book which takes you along and gives you some idea of how it might have been to have been in one of the most dangerous roles in WW1.
The 'war' part of the story has some good moments and vivid descriptions. The author manages to wear his research lightly whilst giving an imaginative feel for flying in tiny, dangerous and primitive planes in a bloody war. The shocking event which drives the book along, though perhaps a bit unlikely, makes a good hook to hang the story round and drives the plot forward.
The 'home front' part of the story is less successful. Away from the battlefield the characters are less realistic and generally one wishes to return to the front lines.
However, especially if it's not an area of deep interest for you, it's a book which takes you along and gives you some idea of how it might have been to have been in one of the most dangerous roles in WW1.
July 5, 2021
For me, the highlight of Eleven Days was the skilled portrayal by Malcolm Harvard of the human cost of war and the senselessness of slaughter involved.
Eleven Days is set in the First World War and tells the story of two brothers, Edward and Percival Grenville, who enlist to fight as part of the British Royal Flying Corps (a forerunner of the Royal Air Force) on the Western front.
The war leaves its mark, literally and figuratively, on the brothers.
Percival Grenville, the older, becomes a victim of his rigid honour code. Edward, the more idealistic of the two, goes through a brutal disillusionment faced with the realities of war. Unsurprisingly, their family and loved ones are not spared.
History buffs will be delighted by Malcolm Harvard’s work. Much research went into writing it. Although it begins to feel overlong towards the end, Eleven Days is a well-written, thought-provoking jewel of a book.
Eleven Days is set in the First World War and tells the story of two brothers, Edward and Percival Grenville, who enlist to fight as part of the British Royal Flying Corps (a forerunner of the Royal Air Force) on the Western front.
The war leaves its mark, literally and figuratively, on the brothers.
Percival Grenville, the older, becomes a victim of his rigid honour code. Edward, the more idealistic of the two, goes through a brutal disillusionment faced with the realities of war. Unsurprisingly, their family and loved ones are not spared.
History buffs will be delighted by Malcolm Harvard’s work. Much research went into writing it. Although it begins to feel overlong towards the end, Eleven Days is a well-written, thought-provoking jewel of a book.
June 21, 2021
Surprisingly good
I started this book hoping for a good tale of WW1 flying , with not too much historical inaccuracy or incorrect flying details ( I’m a pilot by trade ). Well Mr Havard far exceeded my expectations. He delivers a well wrought tale of the horrors of Bloody April and the psychological effects of combat stress on the pilots. His descriptions of the aircraft and air combat are spot on. I’d highly recommend this to all those not only interested in Great War aviation but also those interested in the effects of combat stress on military pilots. An excellent book. Now I just need to download his other books.
I started this book hoping for a good tale of WW1 flying , with not too much historical inaccuracy or incorrect flying details ( I’m a pilot by trade ). Well Mr Havard far exceeded my expectations. He delivers a well wrought tale of the horrors of Bloody April and the psychological effects of combat stress on the pilots. His descriptions of the aircraft and air combat are spot on. I’d highly recommend this to all those not only interested in Great War aviation but also those interested in the effects of combat stress on military pilots. An excellent book. Now I just need to download his other books.
December 11, 2020
Captures the times
A tragedy that pulls down all involved. Men pushed beyond their limits yet who still try to push through in spite of pressures to which no-one should be subjected. A different age reflecting values that have largely disappeared in today's society. Fortunately and unfortunately. Read it and remember and appreciate some of those values and deplore the unconscionable pressures to which men of honour were subjected.Well written,tempts me to read more of this author
A tragedy that pulls down all involved. Men pushed beyond their limits yet who still try to push through in spite of pressures to which no-one should be subjected. A different age reflecting values that have largely disappeared in today's society. Fortunately and unfortunately. Read it and remember and appreciate some of those values and deplore the unconscionable pressures to which men of honour were subjected.Well written,tempts me to read more of this author
April 29, 2021
I really enjoyed the way you came to know all the characters, and the ways they were affected by the war - whether in active service or elsewise. As someone who has studied a lot of history, it was really interesting to read more about the pilots of the First World War as often the focus is based purely in the trenches. The brutality of war, and the way the jingoistic propaganda was peddled, were really apparent throughout the writing, making it hard to see actions in black and white but in various shades of grey.
December 24, 2020
Good read
Makes you wonder why we never had a revolution in this country . Thank God the working class will never succumb to this kind of xenophobia again. War isn't glory and this novel described everything that it's not. Well written and evocative of the class system that existed at the time. A generation lost in the mud of flanders , British ,German ,French .sad but true
Makes you wonder why we never had a revolution in this country . Thank God the working class will never succumb to this kind of xenophobia again. War isn't glory and this novel described everything that it's not. Well written and evocative of the class system that existed at the time. A generation lost in the mud of flanders , British ,German ,French .sad but true
December 28, 2020
4.5 Stars. War is not merely hell, it is tragic, traumatic, and rather than turning boys into men, it either kills them or turns them into monsters. This book is a nonstop punch to the gut but worth reading for all that. We’ve sent our brothers, lovers, and now sons to war, who are we to turn our faces away?!
May 15, 2021
As a student of History I'm interested in stories set in the past, particularly during wartime. I found this book utterly heartbreaking as young men joined in the war efforts during WW1 and their harrowing experiences of the brutality of warfare. The author expertly depicts the innocence of life through the characters in the Eleven Days.
December 3, 2025
Not a conventional was story
Perhaps a social comment on not just the futility of war but also the exposure of the weakness of the building materials that are the fabric of society. Malcolm Havard certainly does not pull any punches.
Perhaps a social comment on not just the futility of war but also the exposure of the weakness of the building materials that are the fabric of society. Malcolm Havard certainly does not pull any punches.
June 16, 2021
Brutally realistic of what the real 1st air war was really like
The reality of war flying in the 1914-1918 war.
A few text mistakes.
An interesting and unexpected twist at the end
The reality of war flying in the 1914-1918 war.
A few text mistakes.
An interesting and unexpected twist at the end
January 9, 2022
Exellent.thoroughly enjoyed it.captured the period with ease.
January 2, 2023
Great book
This is good read well thought out and well-paced.
The air combat and training are very vivid and keep the plot moving well.
War at it's most brutal.
This is good read well thought out and well-paced.
The air combat and training are very vivid and keep the plot moving well.
War at it's most brutal.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews