To the Last Man: A Novel of the First World War

by Jeff Shaara

As the twentieth century dawned, philosophers and social scientists were trumpeting the arrival of the Modern Age, a breathless optimism that the thundering stampede of new technology would radically improve the quality of life for people the world over. Overlooked was that human nature had not evolved along with its machines. Humanity’s worst instincts—for conquest, domination, aggression, jealousy, and barbaric cruelty—would become plainly evident. The killing machines had improved as well.

Throughout the Balkans and Arabia the ethnic violence takes a horrific toll, including the slaughter of nearly six hundred thousand Armenians. The war ignites old ethnic differences into full-scale confrontations, and those on the weaker side of a dispute are often the victims of unspeakable abuses.

No matter how superior your troop strength, no matter your firepower and technology, in the enemy’s land, the enemy has the advantage. No matter how you pursue him, he is either everywhere or nowhere at all.

The sergeant called out again, “One more thing. Sir. Just a piece of advice. Since your boys are trying so hard to impress these men, they should know that singing doesn’t show us anything but how scared they are. If any of these boys survive, they’ll learn it on their own. Veterans don’t sing.”