Hell's Observer

by William J. Graham

WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE TO FIGHT AS AN AMERICAN DOUGHBOY? Lost and forgotten for over 90 years, this book is the result of one street-wise and peace-loving but fiercely patriotic American soldier who went well beyond the typical censored letters, pocket diaries, and post-war memoirs to help answer that question for future generations. Through a unique combination of skill, circumstance and strong personal motivation, Private William J. Graham (Company B, 103rd Military Police Battalion, 28th Division/First Army) delivers one of the most compelling, detailed, and true real-time eyewitness accounts of an American soldier's W.W. 1 experience ever recorded and available in print now for the first time. Over four thousand miles from his home, family and work as a Philadelphia mounted policeman, thirty-nine year old William J. Graham found himself fighting as a detached field M.P. in war-devastated northern France as one of over two million men and women who made up the American Expeditionary Forces in the bloody latter half of 1918. Through his keen eyes and artful powers of description, it is not difficult to imagine yourself slogging through the muddy blood-spattered fields of the Western Front as the earth trembles and German shells scream overhead...where hunger, "cooties," and death are constant companions. Private Graham's uncensored journal of over 650 hand-written pages was penned by him not from memory while resting comfortably by a war fire in a stuffed chair...but incredibly in France while the events he describes actually unfolded around him under raw filthy field conditions. Richly illustrated with over 300 rare original and previously unpublished images, this book gives readers an authentic and powerfully moving description of the horrific sights and emotions of Americans at war with the German "Hun" in the world's first-ever global conflict. This work is of unique value to everyone but especially to the historian or student of the period, serving as an accurate and superbly detailed description of what many U.S. fighting men experienced "doing their bit" while struggling to survive yet another day..."Somewhere in France"!

292 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2012

Reviews

[Ann Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in World War 1. It is the most complete daily diary of a soldier that I've seen, and as the back cover notes, goes "well beyond the typical censored letters, pocket diaries, and post war memoirs...", and is illustrated with over 300 rare original and previously unpublished images. Private William J. Graham of the American Expeditionary Forces served in Europe from July 1918 until June, 1919, and experienced numerous engagements, primarily in France. I'll return often to this source while researching my next novel.

[C. Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is one book that every American should read. I can tell you right now that Hell's Observer has received a "WOW! +” rating! ...it just doesn't get any higher than this in a rating. The reader will be in a state of total awe and wonderment like a child on Christmas Morning. Hell's Observer puts the reader right on the front lines with Private Graham! Does anyone have an extra gas mask? ...This is the best WWI book that I have ever seen! Period!"

Ed Porter/Editor
The Lone Star Book Review