A father's search for his estranged son plunges US Army Major Ab Johnson into the pivotal First World War Battle of Belleau Wood. The fate of Paris and the outcome of the war balance on a knife's edge. This is a story of honor, courage, commitment, a father's love for his son, and the bonds of combat.
Ab Johnson has one last chance to reconcile with his son, Jack, a marine second lieutenant who is heading into the worst conflict in human history. Second lieutenants don't last long in the killing fields of France. Ab volunteered to rejoin the army and come to France for a liaison job far from the fighting, only to be transferred to the Paris Medical Group. His quest leads him from the backrooms of Paris, through command posts, and to the front lines during the Battle of Belleau Wood. He confronts French petulance and American inexperience as he struggles to help organize an army medical system swamped with casualties during his desperate search.
Ab's story intertwines with three others: an arrogant surgeon who sees war as opportunity; a navy corpsman searching for his place in the world; and a marine private full of fighting spirit and patriotism. They confront their destinies in a grueling fight filled with chaos and heart-stopping fear. Each joined the war effort for his own reasons—now all they hope for is to survive.
John F. Andrews is the award-winning author Our Desperate Hour, An American Nurse in Paris, and Dogs Don't Cry. He writes from the perspective of a military service family member, critical care medicine physician, and fire department EMT to craft unique stories based on real events. His characters in the Novels of the Great War Series struggle shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the real heroes of WWI. Dogs Don't Cry shows the plight of French children seeking refuge from one of the most horrible conflicts in human history. His novels are stories of struggle, trauma, survival, resilience, hope, and love.
"Your remarkable work profoundly communicates the experience and importance of the United States Marine Corps while preserving a rich history that our Corps and Nation should never forget." — Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, James Webb Award for Fiction summary quotation
"This is one for the war buffs, and particularly those who enjoy Marine Corps lore. Andrews captures the pain of war in muscular prose. Kirkus Reviews Verdict: GET IT." — Kirkus Reviews
"A gem of historical fiction that is an exceptional and highly recommended acquisition selection for community library 20th Century Historical Fiction and World War I themed fiction collections . . ." — Midwest Book Review
"This is a remarkable book. This book is a wonderful tribute to those military medical professionals who worked in terrible conditions to administer first aid to the Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood. Highly recommended." — Colonel William T. Anderson, USMC (Ret), Noted USMC World War I historian
"Andrews takes the reader into the action and makes you feel as if you were there, experiencing the horrific scenes of war along with his characters. Highly recommended." — Vicki Kondelik, Historical Novel Society Magazine
"…anyone who enjoys historical war stories will love this book. Moreover, this novel transcends its genre and will likely have wide appeal. RECOMMENDED." — US Review
"Fans of war novels will find much to appreciate here." — BlueInk Reviews
"John F. Andrews's OUR DESPERATE HOUR is a vivid, thoroughly researched, and powerfully told story of the horrors and cruelties of World War I. Its immediate, personal intimacy and emotional intensity will pull the reader in and refuse to let go. Indie Reader Star Rating: 5.0 Stars." — Catherine Langrehr, Indie Reader
"This powerful book takes us on a journey into the battlefield in France during WW I. If you like historical fiction, the details in this book make it seem like you are standing right there." — Linda Asadourian, Amazon reader
