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Malcolm MacPhail #4
Vicissitudes of War
War was hell. Then they sent him to the Somme.
September 1916. The battle of the Somme is raging. Newly-promoted lieutenant Malcolm MacPhail arrives in Albert, France feeling himself lucky to have left behind the sodden trenches of the Salient. Until he glimpses the battlefield. The Boche guns are thundering something fierce, the ground for miles around a barren wasteland. If the rumours are true a new offensive is only days away.
Malcolm has yet to prove himself as an officer – and chances are he’ll need to do it in a mad charge across No-Man’s-Land. When an old rival joins the battalion and discovers the secret Malcolm holds, not just life and limb but career and honour are at stake.
The Great War is thundering on, the Allies determined to force the elusive victory, and the Germans unwilling to yield an inch. Malcolm and his countrymen have their orders. But can they succeed where so many others have failed?
A novel of Vimy Ridge and the Somme.
September 1916. The battle of the Somme is raging. Newly-promoted lieutenant Malcolm MacPhail arrives in Albert, France feeling himself lucky to have left behind the sodden trenches of the Salient. Until he glimpses the battlefield. The Boche guns are thundering something fierce, the ground for miles around a barren wasteland. If the rumours are true a new offensive is only days away.
Malcolm has yet to prove himself as an officer – and chances are he’ll need to do it in a mad charge across No-Man’s-Land. When an old rival joins the battalion and discovers the secret Malcolm holds, not just life and limb but career and honour are at stake.
The Great War is thundering on, the Allies determined to force the elusive victory, and the Germans unwilling to yield an inch. Malcolm and his countrymen have their orders. But can they succeed where so many others have failed?
A novel of Vimy Ridge and the Somme.
- GenresFiction
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
About the author
Darrell Duthie
6 books21 followersDarrell lives in the Netherlands, not far from the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. He grew up throughout Canada, but spent most of his youth in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Alberta where he studied Political Science & Economics, and thought briefly of joining the Navy. Instead, he moved to the Netherlands to complete an MBA. After a first career in the European equity markets he embarked upon a new one in writing historical fiction. His debut novel, Malcolm MacPhail’s Great War, was published in 2017. Since then he has written My Hundred Days of War, A War for King and Empire, Vicissitudes of War, and A Summer for War. His most recent project is a WWII novel.
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The Malcolm MacPhail WW1 series are numbered in the order in which they were written. Many readers prefer reading in CHRONOLOGICAL order:
A War for King and Empire (1915-16)
Vicissitudes of War (1916-17)
A Summer for War (1917)
Malcolm MacPhail's Great War (1917-18)
My Hundred Days of War (1918)
Sign up to his mailing list to stay abreast of the latest publications and special offers:
https://www.darrellduthie.com/email-e...
The Malcolm MacPhail WW1 series are numbered in the order in which they were written. Many readers prefer reading in CHRONOLOGICAL order:
A War for King and Empire (1915-16)
Vicissitudes of War (1916-17)
A Summer for War (1917)
Malcolm MacPhail's Great War (1917-18)
My Hundred Days of War (1918)
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next ones in the series. This book was well researched as I have read quite a few books about WW1. I highly recommend it.
October 15, 2021
Darrell does it again! Brilliantly weaving fictional characters into factually situations, Duthie once again creates a romp of a book that tells in detail the true story of Canadians in the First World War. Two big battles are the book ends of this story - the Somme and Vimy. Both are pivotal in Canadian history. There is a lot to learn here but, as did the men who actually fought, the reader will enjoy a chuckle along the way, and a "Huzzah!" at the end.
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October 7, 2022A bright spot
I love the character of McPhail. He's forever getting himself in trouble stepping out of line with his questions and assessments of the situation. He's lucky like a comic relief in the midst of a very dark time in history.
I wanted to learn more about this war, instead I met a remarkable man.
I love the character of McPhail. He's forever getting himself in trouble stepping out of line with his questions and assessments of the situation. He's lucky like a comic relief in the midst of a very dark time in history.
I wanted to learn more about this war, instead I met a remarkable man.
November 6, 2022
Insightful
When Malcolm sees a British Mark 1 tank, it left me wanting to see if there would be more about it in action. I would hope the author might cover the use of British armor in some future book or series; it left me wanting more. It certainly follows his theme of front line soldiers only glimpsing parts and pieces of major battles. Good show, Mr. Duthie!
When Malcolm sees a British Mark 1 tank, it left me wanting to see if there would be more about it in action. I would hope the author might cover the use of British armor in some future book or series; it left me wanting more. It certainly follows his theme of front line soldiers only glimpsing parts and pieces of major battles. Good show, Mr. Duthie!
July 26, 2021
The Vimy story
Great series, these are probably the best fiction about the Great War I have read. The efforts of the Canadian army ,so often overlooked ,are so well addressed in these four volumes .
Highly recommend for any reader of historical fiction.
Great series, these are probably the best fiction about the Great War I have read. The efforts of the Canadian army ,so often overlooked ,are so well addressed in these four volumes .
Highly recommend for any reader of historical fiction.
July 25, 2023
Excellent
The second in a series regarding a Canadian soldier in the First World War. The characters are well drawn and the scenes of life in the trenches are very vivid. Historical fiction at its best.
The second in a series regarding a Canadian soldier in the First World War. The characters are well drawn and the scenes of life in the trenches are very vivid. Historical fiction at its best.
October 26, 2021
Required reading
I’ve never read any books on ww1, I’m so glad this is my first series, excellent in s ope and content. I recommend highly!
I’ve never read any books on ww1, I’m so glad this is my first series, excellent in s ope and content. I recommend highly!
April 11, 2025
Book 2 in the series, and The Great War continues as does 'Mac' MacPhail.
February 10, 2024
Excellent book. Great insights into WWI. We. Written, with relatable lead character.
This series does for WWI what Bernard Cornwell did for the Penninsular War; made it relevant and understandable to modern readers.
Author's writing is getting better over time. and he started strong.
This series does for WWI what Bernard Cornwell did for the Penninsular War; made it relevant and understandable to modern readers.
Author's writing is getting better over time. and he started strong.
November 19, 2020
Enjoyed this book and recommend it to all readers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews