The Fires of Gallipoli

by Barney Campbell

A deeply moving story of courage, resilience and self-discovery, set during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915-16

Genres: Historical Fiction

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2025

Reviews

[MaryannC Victorian Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of two young men, Salter and Thorne who form a strong bond of friendship during the Great War. While this oftentimes was horrific in the descriptions of men who were killed during battle and the brutality of survival at all costs there was also eloquence to the storyline and quiet strength between these two brave young men who were faced with the horrors and their fears in the midst of a tragic war.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fires of Gallipoli by Barney Campbell provided me my first read of this failed campaign of the Allied troops during WWI. Fought on the long peninsula of Gallipoli, bounded by Gulf of Saros to the west and the Dardanelles to the east, the story begins and ends with the bonds of human friendship forged and risked through brutal combat, judgment, and personal sacrifice. Written with more explicit detail on gore and destruction than I usually tolerate, I stayed in nonetheless, my interest in the outcome of this tale keeping me open-minded. There was a tone of restraint in the telling of all other elements, ones I would have preferred to have explored with at least some level of the same enthusiasm devoted to body parts and effluvia in battle and military life.

The friendship of the two men (Edward and Theo) was inspiring and refreshing.

All in all, a good introduction to a new subject for me, and a writer from who I'll be interested to read more.

*A sincere thank you to Barney Campbell, Elliott & Thompson, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* 25|52:52a

[Alison Sterndale-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly written by someone who clearly knows his stuff. The story flowed easily and the characters were very well drawn. Atmospheric, informative and poignant; amusing in places and overwhelmingly sad in others. The expectation to serve King and country without considering personal cost give pause for thought.
A heartfelt story of love and loss.

[Ella Beales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review copy, all views are my own. Review written for Aspects of History magazine.

The Fires of Gallipoli explores resilience, self-discovery, fortitude and friendship during, and in the aftermath, of the Gallipoli Campaign. This book follows Edward Salter, a shy 25-year-old solicitor whose life is changed by the outbreak of the First World War and his unexpected friendship with the charming Theodore Thorne.

Malta, 1915. On his way to fight in the Gallipoli Campaign, Edward is introduced to Thorne, whose charisma quickly dispels any awkwardness and facilitates the beginnings of the most significant friendship of Edward’s life. Readers follow their harrowing journey on the Peninsula, their brief shared leave from the frontline where Edward becomes enamoured with Thorne’s sister Miranda, and the consequences of Edward’s promotion to the relative safety of the War Office as a member of Lord Kitchener’s staff whilst Thorne returns to the frontlines.

It is clear that Campbell has used his own military experiences to imbue this novel with hauntingly accurate descriptions of the sights, sounds, scents and sentiments of wartime life. This novel is filled with visceral and evocative details that make readers feel as though they are side by side with Edward, Thorne and the rest of their unit in the trenches and heading into battle. It shows the importance of unity of purpose, camaraderie, and the ways men let off steam. The Fires of Gallipoli reflects the variety of coping mechanisms and superstitions that troops had, and the way that an individual can become a talisman or boost morale: this is particularly evidenced with Baffle’s character and their visit by Lord Kitchener.

This novel explores so many fascinating topics: the concept of military pilgrimage and the different experiences and emotions that it can evoke in individuals; how ideas of youth in the military were less about age and more about experience; how troops viewed themselves either as having surrendered to a higher power or as being the higher power in order to come to terms with the fragility of their lives; and how, for Edward, meeting parents who had lost their sons in war felt harder than watching so many men around him die.

In this book, Campbell writes that one should ‘never underestimate the capacity for men to transfer their concept of home from houses and fields and family onto their comrades’: this novel is an exploration of this transference of ‘home’ and the bonds that are forged in a wartime climate. It shows the brutality of survival at all costs and the surprising moments of beauty that enabled Edward to survive without the loss of his humanity. It was particularly poignant to read that Edward’s fear of loneliness exceeded his fear of dying, after a brief separation from Thorne.

The Fires of Gallipoli is more than just a wartime history, it is a tale of epic friendship and its trials and joys. It reflects the ancient epics that Edward and Thorne ostensibly ridicule, but ultimately fixate on, throughout their friendship. It is a tale of a friendship forged in Hell(es), and the struggle to sustain it outside of such a hellscape.

[Jonathan Crain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Campbell's Convincing Portrait of War: A Review of "The Fires of Gallipoli"

Barney Campbell's "The Fires of Gallipoli" offers a compelling exploration of World War I through the lens of the Gallipoli campaign. This novel, set against one of the war's most costly operations, combines meticulous historical research with engaging fictional narrative.

Campbell skillfully intertwines the lives of these fictional characters with actual historical figures such as General Sir Ian Hamilton and Lord Kitchener, grounding the narrative in historical authenticity. Through Edward Salter, a young solicitor turned soldier, and his comrades Bruce Haynes-Mattingly and Theodore "Theo" Thorne, the reader gains insight into both the strategic challenges and human costs of the campaign.

Campbell focuses on friendship, loss, and the futility of war. Through Edward's eyes, we experience the initial excitement and the harrowing reality of the battlefield. The character development is convincing, with each figure drawn with depth and nuance. Edward's transformation from a naïve lawyer to a battle-hardened officer reflects the journey many young men of his era underwent. Meanwhile, Theo's progression from charm to disillusionment captures the psychological toll of relentless conflict.

Campbell's narrative skill is evident in his handling of multiple perspectives and timelines. His detailed descriptions bring the muddy trenches, smoky battlefields, and tense military meetings to life. While authentic to the period, the language remains accessible to modern readers, effectively bridging the century-old gap.

The novel occasionally slows under the weight of its historical scope, and some secondary characters could be more fully developed. However, these are minor blemishes in an otherwise accomplished work.

"The Fires of Gallipoli" demonstrates the power of historical fiction to examine both the past and human nature. It makes a significant contribution to war literature, honoring those who served at Gallipoli while prompting readers to consider how the impact of war resonates through generations. Campbell's novel invites us to reflect on conflict's human toll and the enduring bonds forged in its crucible.

This review is of an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson Limited. It is currently scheduled for release on February 13, 2025.

[Paul Wagenbreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barney Campbell’s “The Fires of Gallipoli,” with its depiction of the ghastliness of trench warfare, is as absorbing an account of that particular charnel house as I’ve ever read.
Among its horrors: A soldier remarking of another soldier that got caught on the wire that Jesus probably looked better on the cross. This after another soldier is blinded by an incoming mortar as he attempts an extrication.
And along with the carnage, some just plain bizarre bits, as when Lord Kitchener, he of “Your Country Needs You” poster fame, gets drawn into a conversation about knitting, or, in a departure from his usual taskmaster image, he guffaws at a front-line soldier’s comment that they’ve finally sent a decent recruit. And the seemingly odd circumstances of the field marshal’s death, detailed in both the novel’s text and an afterword, make for engaging speculation.
Not so engaging for me, though, was a post-Gallipoli interval in Constantinople having to do with efforts against Bolshevism which, while not irrelevant to the book’s action, struck me as a bit much for the novel to try to fit comfortably under its umbrella along with Gallipoli.
About Gallipoli, though, the book is magnificent, with its registration of the effects of the campaign on the novel’s two principals, one of whom gets involved with the other's sister in a romance I'd have liked to have seen more of.
History the way it should be depicted, in short, Campbell’s fine novel.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, that left me slightly confused. The first portion of the book really grabbed and held my attention. The depiction of the events at Gallipoli were truly riveting. The story and action were fast paced and gave you real insight to the trials and tribulations so many went through in the war. You really could bond with the two main characters. That said, the second half of the book, after the war left me disappointed. I wanted more than what the author gave us. Some of the events felt strained and the love interest between one of the men and his friend's sister felt incomplete. That said, I enjoyed the book overall.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for an early Kindle copy of this book.

I enjoyed this more than I expected, It was a vibrant tale of male friendship, forged in war but, refreshingly for books with male characters, weighing deep on the vulnerabilities and struggles of maintaining a friendship through exceedingly tough times. Barney Campbell drew me into the trenches with his descriptions of warfare and the atrocious weather suffered by troops.
This is a recommended read, but perhaps not for the faint-hearted, as some descriptions were brutally realistic.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a company of soldiers fighting in Gallipoli during the First World War. The horrifying account of the conditions they endured and the life changing injuries and loss of life.
This book is also about comradely, friendship and bravery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elliot & Thompson for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

second book just as amazing as the first

An amazing and harrowing portrayal of war intertwined with a fabulous story about friendship and love. Having adored Rain I wondered how Barney Campbell could do better but he has.

[Bilqis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars.

This book follows the young officers Edward Salter and Theo Thorne, as they command their men during the Gallipoli campaign of WWI. I would like to thank NetGalley for this eARC, and all opinions are my own.

The story starts off relatively benign, with the men nervously awaiting their turn on the front lines. And then, we are deep in the trenches with Edward. The mud, the stench, the loss, and the flies are vividly described by the author, and you can feel like you are there. The misery of the trenches was very well written.

I enjoyed that Edward and Thorne admitted that they didn't know it all and that they respected their NCOs and junior enlisted. This is what made them good leaders and trusted by their men. It is also what bonded them during the war. I did feel as though Edward didn't really come into himself until the second half of the book, though.

I did not find the second half of the book to be as riviting as the first, and at times, it felt as though I was reading a completely different book. I actually think that Edward and Thorne's characters should have switched roles for the post-Gallipoli section. But, I still enjoyed it and gave it 3.5-4 stars (the second half of the book being the reason for the lower rating).