Malcolm MacPhail's Great War

Malcolm MacPhail #1

by Darrell Duthie

Fall 1917. The Western Front is in stalemate.

Captain Malcolm MacPhail of the Canadian Corps has been in the trenches for longer than he cares to remember. He’s just landed a new job on the intelligence staff, but if he thinks staying alive is going to become any easier, he’s sorely mistaken.

The rain is pelting down, the shells are flying and the dreaded battle for Passchendaele looms. Malcolm reckons matters can still get worse. Which proves to be an accurate assessment, especially as his unruly tongue has a habit of making enemies all on its own.

The Allies are fighting desperately to swing the tide of war, and Malcolm’s future hangs in the balance, so keeping his head down is simply not an option…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, Novels, 20th Century

322 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2017

About the author

Darrell lives in the Netherlands, not far from the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. He grew up throughout Canada, but spent most of his youth in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, Alberta where he studied Political Science & Economics, and thought briefly of joining the Navy. Instead, he moved to the Netherlands to complete an MBA. After a first career in the European equity markets he embarked upon a new one in writing historical fiction. His debut novel, Malcolm MacPhail’s Great War, was published in 2017. Since then he has written My Hundred Days of War, A War for King and Empire, Vicissitudes of War, and A Summer for War. His most recent project is a WWII novel.

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The Malcolm MacPhail WW1 series are numbered in the order in which they were written. Many readers prefer reading in CHRONOLOGICAL order:

A War for King and Empire (1915-16)
Vicissitudes of War (1916-17)
A Summer for War (1917)
Malcolm MacPhail's Great War (1917-18)
My Hundred Days of War (1918)

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any First World War entbusiast. Duthie transports the reader into the trenches with all researched detail, empathy and a sprinkle of humour.

[Richard A. Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

Interesting touch to the crazy WWI. Clever insights to the interactions of the varied nationalities in conflict . Glad I wasn’t there.

[Felix Oberdorfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intriguing and well-written book this is! For those who are interested in the important piece of history that WW1 is, Duthie's book is a very interesting read for sure. But the fascinating part is how Malcolm MacPhail, the quirky, ironic and cynical main character painstakingly unveils the futility of this great war. Between the lines, the message seems a clear protest against the stupidity of some high ranked snobs hiding in their castles while sacrificing so many soldiers. Some of the characters might be the product of the author's imagination, yet the book tells the true story of the war with such passion for detail and human touch - pulling the reader right into the scene. Although we all know how this particular part of history ended, the story is thrilling until the very end. And I can't wait for Mr. Duthie to finish his sequel! Warmly recommended.

[Roger Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent novel about Canadian soldiers on the Western Front during the last two years of the war. It covers the brutal campaign to take the ridge and village of Passchendale up to the breakthrough campaign of August 1918 which the German high command called the black day of the German army. The hero is Malcolm MacPhail, a captain who is promoted to Major, who is in the intelligence branch of the army and is under heavy pressure from his superiors to provide the information necessary for victory against a formidable German opponent. It reveals the everyday lives of men subjected to trench warfare in a war that seemed as though it would never end. Highly recommended.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched and written.

I can't imagine the amount of time and effort that the author must have spent on the research of this novel. It is actually an historically accurate account of the battles and the strategies of WWI and he uses the novel format to bring the human aspect to life.

For me it was a little bit of a slow go at times because of the amount of detail, I found myself going back and forth to the maps to figure out where they were and where they were headed.

If you love books on the the history of wars I think you will really enjoy Mr. Duthie's ability to bring it to life.

[Robert M. Roth MD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical novel

The book is written from the perspective of a Canadian intelligence officer serving in a Canadian headquarters during WW I. Although assigned to headquarters, he is often out on patrols to snatch prisoners or perform reconnaissance. He has seen a lot of the futility of this war, where enormous casualties have made little impact on the trench lines. The generals are oblivious to the butchery of the campaigns. The author does a commendable job describing the time period. I would have liked a bit more written about daily life in the trenches, but one cannot have everything. If you enjoy historical novels about World War One, this will be well received.

[Brent Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ironically, this was the first book written in five book series. Taking the reader from Passchendaele to Amiens, this book does a great job of capturing the action of the Canadian Corps as it continues to be the pointy end of the BEF's spearhead against the Germans on the Western Front.

Malcolm has moved into the division Intelligence Officer role, which brings him even deeper to the action. I think this evolution of the character does a great job of allowing the author to show a micro view of the war - how Malcolm survives and thrives from day-day, as well as the macro war and what the 3rd Division and those around them are doing to win the war.

I have really enjoyed Malcolm's forays into the small scale action as he seeks to keep his Commander informed so that further decisions can be made. I haven't read any accounts of Canadian division staff doing things like this, but to me it seems plausible, which makes the story stronger.

As always, the hand drawn maps are very well done and are a great guidepost for what is going on and what will happen. As in previous books, Mac's previous encounters with generals seem to come back to haunt him.

The book's highly accurate capturing of the history of the Canadian Corps in WWI makes for a great story that is not often told. I really enjoyed this and look forward to how Duthie wraps it all up. Highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in the Canadian Corps in WWI.

[Harve Lemelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great novel depicting the often unsung allies (i.e., the Canadians and the Australians) and their tremendous contributions and innovations in the latter battles of the First World War. Unlike British and American authors who have often overlooked or erased the contributions of the Canadians and Australians in the First World War, Duthie, by this book (and the next) makes sure that the exploits of these brave men sacrificed to the muds of Flanders and the northern plains of France are never forgotten.

[Carter F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb novel of the First World War

Darrell Duthie has brought the First World War to light in ways not seen in most other novels. From the perspective a Canadian Army Intelligence officer, Malcolm MacPhail, we see combat through the eyes of the infantryman, behind the lines on raids, and in the presence of Allied generals and colonels. We also see the politics and frailties of the systems, as leaders dictate, rather than lead. A highly entertaining, yet educational look at what was. Read- you’ll heartily enjoy it !

[Greg McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

A very entertaining and refreshing book. Good reflection of the nature of the groups involved and their interaction with each other. Curious to see how the Americans will fair, possibly in the next book. Duthie did a great job of research for the book.
Keep up the good work. Looking forward to volume 2

[Joanne Reinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What little I knew about WW1

After reading many WW2 stories I decided it was time to look into The Great War for some insight on it's history. As this is only the first of this series, I don't know much. I do like the style and the character of McPhail.
Anyone would find this fascinating.

[David Haddon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid historical fiction. No annoying love interest, just a British soldier doing his job in and out of combat situations.

Sort of a Richard Sharpe, but on fewer steroids, and 100 years later.

I will definitely continue with the series. If the series builds out well, I may actually be able to make sense of distinct BEF operational activities during WW1.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a treat. I am reminded of Len Deighton's Bernard Samson Spy series in that the character has a similar attitude and thinking when it comes to the military. The writing is clear and the story fascinating. Nicely done.

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good solid novel of the Great War 1917-18

Throughly enjoyed and a times wept with this story. Probably as good a presentation of the constant shock for the troops of World War I as any.
Highly recommend

[Herbert W Kallusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac Phail WW1 Book 4

An excellent read
Written with a great knowledge of the existing tactical situation at the time.
Also, brilliantly written in the first person of Major MacPhail.
A very good read.

[Stuart]

Although it was a an informative and well structured book, I wasn’t caught up in the main character. The feel of trench warfare and the descriptions of strategic and tactical elements were interesting.

[melvia mccann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great War

Great read ,so much information about a very bleak time ,those battles scarred a generation. Very insightful from a infantryman and intelligence perspective.

[John Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War 1 brought to life

This is a vivid and because it is focussed on the Canadian Corps, an unusual account. And it covers arguably the turning point on the Western Front when deception was used successfully for the first time. Although slow in the middle - for reasons that become apparent later - it is great to have good historical fiction about the Great War.