Book Blurb:
From New York Harbor to the battlefields of France, relive World War One through the eyes of an unknown soldier, as told through his diary. See how the 100-year-old diary brings a father and his estranged son back together by retracing his experiences fighting in the battlefields of France in 1917 - 1918 to his final resting place—the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
His diary was found next to his lifeless body by a young French girl who witnessed his death and bravery as he tried to protect his fellow soldiers. How the unknown soldier felt and what he experienced fighting on the Western Front in World War One —his day-to-day struggles and life as a private and then as an NCO. As he led his men into combat. The pride and fear he felt and the overwhelming stress he encountered, sometimes frozen with fear from the sheer brutality of modern warfare from all sides. His bravery in combat and leadership in training and on the battlefield. How he coped as he watched his fellow soldiers, battle buddies, and friends die one after another. Some from battlefield injuries from conventional weapons and gas attacks, but also diseases from the unsanitary conditions of trench warfare and influenza. His only wish was to come out alive, a wish that would never come true.
But return home, he did.
***Reader Reviews***
"One of the key takeaways is the overarching leadership theme that instills the values of MAKE A DIFFERENCE and SELFLESS SERVICE into the characters and the reader. Travis Davis is a creative storyteller. And with "One of Four," he has touched the souls of us all." Five Stars—Michael Carlson, vet and author of Drum Corps World.
"Poignant, gripping, and compelling. As a former soldier, it was a privilege to read, and I highly recommend One of Four - five stars!" - David Darling, author of the Noah Hunter series.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/uC7p0z1
Author Bio:
Travis Davis is an Air Force brat who grew up in Arkansas, Spain, New York, and California. He joined the US Army at 17 years old as an Armored Reconnaissance Specialist and was stationed in the various forts in the United States and Germany, where he met his beautiful wife. During his three tours in Germany, he conducted hundreds of border patrols along the East-West German border and the Czechoslovakia-West German border. Where he saw first-hand communism and its oppression of its citizens, he retired from the US Army, where his last duty assignment was as Assistant Operations Sergeant of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He is a lifetime member of the Sergeant Morales Club. Travis has also received multiple awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal and five Army Commendation Medals.
When he is not writing or working, Travis enjoys exercising, traveling (he loves a good road trip), baking different loaves of bread, making ice cream, and relaxing in his backyard with friends and family while having a cold beer. He lives in Allen, Texas, with his wife of over 37 years. He has three adult children: two daughters living in Arkansas, one son living in Northern Virginia, and five wonderful grandchildren.
“Travis never met a stranger,” his wife always says.
Editorial Review:
"One of Four" is a book written by Travis Davis that offers a profound and emotional
perspective on the First World War and its devastating consequences. As we follow the story
of Camille Durand and other characters from various places and social backgrounds, we
witness how war changes lives and communities forever.
Through realistic details and vivid descriptions, the author takes us to France in the years
1918-1921, a period marked by destruction, loss, and suffering. The excerpts from the journal
of an unknown soldier add depth and authenticity to the story, allowing us to emotionally
connect with his experiences and those of other soldiers during the war.
“It was a cloudy late fall day in 1918. A nip was in the air, and winter was coming fast. Her father was off fighting the Germans. He joined the French army in early 1915 and hadn’t been home in months. After the massacre of sixty-three residences on August 20th, 1914, in a small village in northern France, he couldn’t stand by and see his country destroyed.”
Davis enriches his narrative with details about the selection ceremony of an unknown soldier
to be interred at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in
Virginia.
In addition to portraying the detailed atmosphere of war and its consequences, Davis also
explores resistance and the struggle for survival in the turbulent times that followed the
conflict. The story of Camille Durand, a young woman who joins the French resistance
during World War II, adds an additional dimension to the book, highlighting the power and
determination of humanity in the face of adversity.
The author sensitively conveys the hardship and loss that ordinary people endured during the
global conflict.
The text abounds with passages that evoke powerful imagery and intense emotions. For
example, the detailed description of the ruins and the state of abandonment in Camille's
village brings to the forefront the devastation and loss caused by the war.
”Her house had been in her father’s family for over one hundred years. It was located along the Aire River in a small village. The once beautiful town had been ravaged by years of war, and now the almost abandoned village lay in ruins with skeletons of buildings that looked like they would fall if a strong wind hit them.”
The direct quotes from the unknown soldier's journal allow us to feel the pulse of the events
of that time and connect with the personal story of this unknown hero.
“Well, all the training is finished for this upcoming battle. All our equipment was inspected, and anything that was not 100% was replaced. The nights are getting colder. It will be winter very soon.”
“When I see into the eyes of my fellow soldiers, the brightness is gone, and the spark is missing. We have seen enough death and destruction in a year and a half for a lifetime. But we will fight on with our last breath.”
Interesting is the way the author connects the two stories through the objects left behind and
found by the characters in modern days. The unknown soldier's journal and Camille's family
Bible become linking elements between past and present, bringing to the forefront questions
about historical heritage and the impact of past events on future generations.
As Walter and Alex explore the historical sites in France and read from the soldier's journal, a
strong connection between past and present emerges. In a café in Gondrecourt, Alex feels a
profound connection with the soldier from the journal, reflecting on the emotions conveyed
by him: “It’s strange, but I feel connected to the soldier. I can’t explain it.”
This emotional connection illustrates the power and universality of the human experience in the face of war and sacrifice.
Through the quotes from the journal, the author unveils the harsh and realistic details of life
on the front lines, as well as the devastating impact of war on the human psyche and soul.
The soldier shares disturbing observations about the struggle he is engaged in: “That is a
sound I won’t forget.” Furthermore, the vivid descriptions convey both the beauty of the
landscape and the horrors of the conflict: “The ground shook, and buildings collapsed,
soldiers screaming.”
As the story progresses, Walter and Alex uncover new aspects of history and life on the front
lines, strengthening their connection to the past and deepening their understanding of the
war's impact on society and the individual. Through their travels and reading from the
journal, the two young men develop empathy and compassion for those who fought in the
war, recognizing their courage and sacrifice.
The quotes from the soldier's journal shed light on moments of battle and fear during the war,
illustrating the determination and resilience of the soldiers in the face of danger: “We all
screamed like uncaged animals. My adrenaline flowed, I heard my heartbeat in my ears, and my legs felt weak, but I was almost running.”
As their journey brings them to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Alex and Walter
confront the magnitude of human losses during the war. Gazing upon the graves of fallen
soldiers, they feel the weight and solemnity of their sacrifice: “Its beauty and reverence were
only outdone by the sheer number of graves from a single offensive.”
As they near the end of the book, readers witness an emotionally charged and profoundly
revealing journey about human nature in the face of war and loss. Ultimately, "One of Four"
is not just a book about history but also about the emotional ties that bind us to the past and
how they influence our understanding of the present and future.
By reading excerpts from the soldier's journal and exploring places like Versailles and
Arlington Cemetery, the two become increasingly connected to the story and tragic
experience of the anonymous hero. The poignant moment when they place the soldier's
journal at the Tomb of the Unknown is an act of recognition and honor for his sacrifice and
for all those who fell in battle.
The soldier's words, such as “We will fight on with our last breath”, it underscores his
determination and resilience in the face of adversity, providing a profound insight into his life
and thoughts during the war. Ultimately, the book highlights the importance of preserving
memory and recognizing the sacrifices of those who fought for their country.
By returning home and renewing family ties, Walter and Alex find peace and understanding,
concluding their journey with a sense of fulfillment and respect for their past and the fallen.
"One of Four" is a profoundly moving and inspiring book, offering both a history lesson and
life lessons, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and respecting those who fought
and died for freedom and dignity.
"One of Four" by Travis Davis is a compelling story about the search for the identity of an
unknown hero from World War I. The book provides an emotional and profound perspective
on history, inviting readers to reflect on past sacrifices and courage to better understand the
present and build a brighter future. It is a captivating and essential read for those interested in
history and the human story behind major historical events.
*****
“One of Four” by Travis Davis receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” Award of Excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission