At the Gates of Acheron: A Novel of the First World War

At the Gates of Acheron is based on actual events. After visiting the legendary World War I battlefield at Belleau Wood, author and retired Marine, John Ryan began nine years of research to discover the untold stories of those involved in the battle General Pershing called the Gettysburg of the war. Unfortunately, many books were historical recitations of events that didn't fully capture the multitude of characters nor convey the environment, emotion and reality of the war and the battle. In late 1914, as war sweeps across Europe, a Dutch family is captured by the Germans near Diksmuide, Belgium. In hiding, young Harry Gilman watches as his parents are executed leaving him to wander the Western Front. Harry's story serves as the cornerstone of this novel as he vows vengeance on the men who killed his parents and finds himself at a convergence of the warring armies. In America, President Wilson struggles unsuccessfully to keep America out of the war. When war comes in 1917, a widowed General is called to lead America's ill-prepared but war bound Army and Marine Brigade. Desperate to win the war before America can tip the scales, Germany launches a massive spring offensive in 1918. As the Germans threaten Paris, an untested American Army division with its Marine Brigade is thrown in to stop their advance. Refusing to leave the front, twelve-year-old Harry follows the Marines into the deadly woods. This battle will not only change the course of the war but of Harry's life. Will he survive the fight, or is Harry destined to become one more casualty in the War to end all wars?

• | Author: John E. Ryan
• | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• | Publication Date: Oct 06, 2017
• | Number of Pages: 422 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1974677346
• | ISBN-13: 9781974677344