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Duty Calls #1
Dunkirk
“You wanted to see some action—well, you’re going to get it now. You’re going to get it now all right.”
Friday 24th May, 1940
Private Johnny Hawke, aged sixteen, awakens to artillery fire.
Hours later, Stukas scream down from the sky.
Messerschmit fighters roar towards his regiment. Trucks burst into flames.
Now men and mules lie dead and dying, severed limbs twisted grotesquely as blood soaks into the cobbled streets.
Young Private Hawke just wants to do his duty and serve his country. But as he—and his fellow soldiers—prepare to stop the German advance, there’s only one question on everyone’s lips…
How will they survive?
Friday 24th May, 1940
Private Johnny Hawke, aged sixteen, awakens to artillery fire.
Hours later, Stukas scream down from the sky.
Messerschmit fighters roar towards his regiment. Trucks burst into flames.
Now men and mules lie dead and dying, severed limbs twisted grotesquely as blood soaks into the cobbled streets.
Young Private Hawke just wants to do his duty and serve his country. But as he—and his fellow soldiers—prepare to stop the German advance, there’s only one question on everyone’s lips…
How will they survive?
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2011
22 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
James Holland
68 books997 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has also written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has also written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 19, 2011
Review originally posted at Fluttering Butterflies
Now here's a really great book. Duty Calls: Dunkirk by James Holland is such an interesting and realistic portrayal of WWII seen primary from the eyes of 16 year old soldier, Johnny Hawke.
When I was younger, I had this fascination with WWII but for some reason I never really looked into books about the soldiers on either side or the battles that they fought. I think I've felt intimdated in some way about descriptions of battles, weaponry or locations. After reading Duty Calls: Dunkirk, I can't think why.
James Holland made all of the historical detail blend very naturally into the narrative of the story very quickly I became fascinated to learn more about a soldier's life. Holland gave a brilliant look at every aspect of this one group of soldiers. Through the eyes of Johnny Hawke, the 16 year old who followed in the footsteps of his brave father and his older sister's fiance, Sergeant Tom Spears, in the army, we are introduced to Hawke's daily life. The food, the stops for tea, the battle dress he wears, some of the weaponry. We witness how difficult he finds writing home, how much he looks forward to news of home, how he feels after he kills a man for the first time.
I became very emotional reading Johnny Hawke's story. As he is so young, other members of his company look out for him as well, in particular Sergeant Spears. While our main narrator is Hawkes, we are able to see other points of view - that of a pilot engaged in battle with the Germans, some of the higher-up commanders in the British army and of Tom Spears. The pressure that Spears feels towards protecting the soldiers in his command and that of Hawkes is quite moving. He comes across as quite cold and aloof, but really feels very strongly about looking out for Johnny.
This book is very readable and I flew through the pages with ease. The fighting is quite exciting but never romanticises war in any way. Though there are some brave fighting going on, there's also the lice in the clothing, there's gruesome death, it's quite apparent how lack of communication has a severe impact on this group of soldiers.
It's quite heartbreaking to read. I became very emotionally attached to both Hawkes and Spears and as the pace quickened towards the climax, we are made more aware of the dire circumstances that these soldiers are facing - the enemy is closing in around them, and that they are on the front line of what appears to be a losing battle, with little food, ammunition and losing hope.
This book is quite exciting to read, very interesting and I look forward to reading more from the author!
Now here's a really great book. Duty Calls: Dunkirk by James Holland is such an interesting and realistic portrayal of WWII seen primary from the eyes of 16 year old soldier, Johnny Hawke.
When I was younger, I had this fascination with WWII but for some reason I never really looked into books about the soldiers on either side or the battles that they fought. I think I've felt intimdated in some way about descriptions of battles, weaponry or locations. After reading Duty Calls: Dunkirk, I can't think why.
James Holland made all of the historical detail blend very naturally into the narrative of the story very quickly I became fascinated to learn more about a soldier's life. Holland gave a brilliant look at every aspect of this one group of soldiers. Through the eyes of Johnny Hawke, the 16 year old who followed in the footsteps of his brave father and his older sister's fiance, Sergeant Tom Spears, in the army, we are introduced to Hawke's daily life. The food, the stops for tea, the battle dress he wears, some of the weaponry. We witness how difficult he finds writing home, how much he looks forward to news of home, how he feels after he kills a man for the first time.
I became very emotional reading Johnny Hawke's story. As he is so young, other members of his company look out for him as well, in particular Sergeant Spears. While our main narrator is Hawkes, we are able to see other points of view - that of a pilot engaged in battle with the Germans, some of the higher-up commanders in the British army and of Tom Spears. The pressure that Spears feels towards protecting the soldiers in his command and that of Hawkes is quite moving. He comes across as quite cold and aloof, but really feels very strongly about looking out for Johnny.
This book is very readable and I flew through the pages with ease. The fighting is quite exciting but never romanticises war in any way. Though there are some brave fighting going on, there's also the lice in the clothing, there's gruesome death, it's quite apparent how lack of communication has a severe impact on this group of soldiers.
It's quite heartbreaking to read. I became very emotionally attached to both Hawkes and Spears and as the pace quickened towards the climax, we are made more aware of the dire circumstances that these soldiers are facing - the enemy is closing in around them, and that they are on the front line of what appears to be a losing battle, with little food, ammunition and losing hope.
This book is quite exciting to read, very interesting and I look forward to reading more from the author!
March 13, 2013
This review was originally posted on ThirstforFiction.com
Private Johnny Hawke has just arrived in France. The year is 1940 – the middle of the Second World War. Germany has invaded most of France, but French and British forces are attempting to hold them back. It is not easy when both rations and ammunition are in short supply. Aged 16, Hawke has just begun his service. He will be part of the Battalion that will attempt to cover the immediate evacuation of all troops. There is little chance he will survive.
I’ve never really been “into” war stories; even as a child, I wasn’t prone to killing my friends with my pistol shaped hands. It was with little or no knowledge of the structuring of the military that I began reading Duty Calls: Dunkirk, and finishing it, my knowledge hasn’t really improved much. James Holland, who’s first YA series this is, dives right into the deep end (though he does offer a preface explaining the ranks and such, it was of little use to me…) and talks about Platoons, Battalions and Sargeants. It’s great that the author knows what he’s doing, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who will be lost among the “formalities” of war. That being said, it’s reassuring to know that Duty Calls: Dunkirk is as accurate as possible.
The biggest put off about Duty Calls: Dunkirk is the prose. I consider myself quite a visual reader- that is to say, I like to “play” the events that the story tells me in my head as I read. I found it incredibly hard to do this with Duty Calls. It isn’t that the prose is clunky, overly-descriptive (or under, for that matter). It’s just written in a way which I found really hard to process into a visual scene, as it were. This style really puts me off; it was a slog to read Duty Calls at first. However, as the novel progressed and the situations the soldiers were facing were getting tense and exciting, I managed to put aside those short comings and really came to enjoy the story, which is really quite exciting. continue reading....
Private Johnny Hawke has just arrived in France. The year is 1940 – the middle of the Second World War. Germany has invaded most of France, but French and British forces are attempting to hold them back. It is not easy when both rations and ammunition are in short supply. Aged 16, Hawke has just begun his service. He will be part of the Battalion that will attempt to cover the immediate evacuation of all troops. There is little chance he will survive.
I’ve never really been “into” war stories; even as a child, I wasn’t prone to killing my friends with my pistol shaped hands. It was with little or no knowledge of the structuring of the military that I began reading Duty Calls: Dunkirk, and finishing it, my knowledge hasn’t really improved much. James Holland, who’s first YA series this is, dives right into the deep end (though he does offer a preface explaining the ranks and such, it was of little use to me…) and talks about Platoons, Battalions and Sargeants. It’s great that the author knows what he’s doing, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who will be lost among the “formalities” of war. That being said, it’s reassuring to know that Duty Calls: Dunkirk is as accurate as possible.
The biggest put off about Duty Calls: Dunkirk is the prose. I consider myself quite a visual reader- that is to say, I like to “play” the events that the story tells me in my head as I read. I found it incredibly hard to do this with Duty Calls. It isn’t that the prose is clunky, overly-descriptive (or under, for that matter). It’s just written in a way which I found really hard to process into a visual scene, as it were. This style really puts me off; it was a slog to read Duty Calls at first. However, as the novel progressed and the situations the soldiers were facing were getting tense and exciting, I managed to put aside those short comings and really came to enjoy the story, which is really quite exciting. continue reading....
April 8, 2017
Duty calls: Dunkirk is a brilliantly insightful and realistic portrayal of the events of Dunkirk as experienced at ground level by ordinary British soliders. I didn't find it an easy read and it took me a lot longer than normal to get through it but it was certainly worth it.
I specifically requested this book for review because the whole concept of it intrigued me. I am always on the lookout for YA books set in historical settings which are historically accurate which I can recommend to pupils to compliment work done in class. This book is perfect in that regard. The author is clearly well informed about the period and has done extensive research when writing this book.
Another thing I look for in books to recommend to my pupils is a story and main character than they can relate to as it helps to make them empathise with the people who the story is about and draws them in to the story as a whole. Again the main character was perfectly picked in this regard. A 16 year old boy who joined up to fight for his country under age. I think seeing the war through his eyes will give youngsters a jolt because of how very horrific the nature of warfare was and make them see that it was something real that happened to people like them and not just to some random people a long time ago.
What this book also does well is its realism. It does not try to glorify war in anyway to make it more exciting than it was. Yes there are bits that are action packed but there are also scenes which are hard and uncomfortable to read, which will in some cases shock the reader. Again this adds to the story as it really helps you to get into your head what the soldiers really went through in order to save the UK from Nazi invasion.
All in all a book which is historical accurate and engaging. One I would whole heartedly recommend for teens studying the time period for a different perspective of the events depicted.
I specifically requested this book for review because the whole concept of it intrigued me. I am always on the lookout for YA books set in historical settings which are historically accurate which I can recommend to pupils to compliment work done in class. This book is perfect in that regard. The author is clearly well informed about the period and has done extensive research when writing this book.
Another thing I look for in books to recommend to my pupils is a story and main character than they can relate to as it helps to make them empathise with the people who the story is about and draws them in to the story as a whole. Again the main character was perfectly picked in this regard. A 16 year old boy who joined up to fight for his country under age. I think seeing the war through his eyes will give youngsters a jolt because of how very horrific the nature of warfare was and make them see that it was something real that happened to people like them and not just to some random people a long time ago.
What this book also does well is its realism. It does not try to glorify war in anyway to make it more exciting than it was. Yes there are bits that are action packed but there are also scenes which are hard and uncomfortable to read, which will in some cases shock the reader. Again this adds to the story as it really helps you to get into your head what the soldiers really went through in order to save the UK from Nazi invasion.
All in all a book which is historical accurate and engaging. One I would whole heartedly recommend for teens studying the time period for a different perspective of the events depicted.
March 23, 2025
This was very believable and real look at one group of soldiers who are tasked with holding the rear guard against the German advance into France and then make there way through to Dunkirk. James Holland tells a gripping yarn and even though this book is aimed at young adult readers, he does not dumb it down or skimp to much on the facts of the battle for France.
September 23, 2017
Definitely doesn't glorify war and hopefully teenagers (who it is primarily written for) who read this will be again at war. Did find the heroic behaviour of the 16yr boy soldier slightly unbelievable, but possibly the auth0r thought that was what would appeal to his audience.
November 22, 2019
Brilliant book easy to read and full of action and brave heroes well worth the read
March 5, 2020
I’m in love!
Oh this was so good! The best historical fiction I’ve ever read! Already bought the next book!!! Also loved seeing the author on his Netflix show!! Killin it!
Oh this was so good! The best historical fiction I’ve ever read! Already bought the next book!!! Also loved seeing the author on his Netflix show!! Killin it!
April 29, 2022
Reaching Dunkirk .
Great boys own type story , really enjoyed the novel . Once started reading hard to put down . Will be reading more by this author .
Great boys own type story , really enjoyed the novel . Once started reading hard to put down . Will be reading more by this author .
May 11, 2023
Second book I have read in this series, I enjoyed more than the Battle of Britain one... Had all the drama along with good historical accounts...
June 6, 2024
First rate great yarn
August 15, 2024
A boys own adventure set at the start of WWII encompassing true events with a fictional set of heroes.
July 26, 2016
There are many obsticles such as being caught or if someone finds out he's actually under the legal age to join the army, he's just gotten in, but if someone finds out, he's done.
So far this story is set out near flanders field, in their truck. They're currently travelling to their unknown destination which the main character worries about. He's already been humiliated by his leader, Hawk.
The thing that is the most intruiging about this novel, is that he's determined to serve his purpous, and serve for his country at whatever cost it takes, and to escape home.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes an interesting story, based on WW2 which involves courage and many obsticles to get through. Because this is specifically what this book is about, and if you're not interested in those things, you probably won't like it.
So far this story is set out near flanders field, in their truck. They're currently travelling to their unknown destination which the main character worries about. He's already been humiliated by his leader, Hawk.
The thing that is the most intruiging about this novel, is that he's determined to serve his purpous, and serve for his country at whatever cost it takes, and to escape home.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes an interesting story, based on WW2 which involves courage and many obsticles to get through. Because this is specifically what this book is about, and if you're not interested in those things, you probably won't like it.
September 16, 2014
A good read and told from an interesting perspective regarding the action around the time of Dunkirk evacuation. Style-wise, it struck me as a bit clichéd. Language among ordinary soldiers was, in reality, ripe, swearing common but not of a particularly bad nature - the absence of this made me feel the dialogue was a bit sanitised and therefore not as real and visceral as it should have been.
July 17, 2012
Graphic, but Great!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews