This is an interesting look at WWI from a British perspective, especially regarding the analysis of military intelligence. The main character, Hal Montgomery, is an English officer who meets his German counterpart during a Christmas truce. When the German officer asks a favor of Hal, Hal's fate is sealed. During the course of the book, Hal demonstrates his weakness of character. It is difficult to overlook his dishonesty in dealing with his lover and the cavalier way he disregards his pledge of secrecy as a government official. Perhaps the ending is a fitting tribute to a man whose moral compass is off kilter, but it is still disturbing.
One of my all time favorite reads!
Mackenzie Ford is the pen name of Peter Watson. As Ford, he's written two books as of now. This is the first. The other is Clouds Beneath the Sun. His writing style is excellent and the story lines portray very real life complications and real emotions. The only downside is the ending doesn't wrap up, it just ends. This is the case with both books; however, Clouds Beneath the Sun includes a very brief epilogue for those of us who just want to know what came of the main characters later in life. Even with the "create your ending" ending of this book, I thoroughly liked it and am glad I read it. It's one you can't help but think about days afterward. I will continue to read future Ford books if there are any.
