This is very good history in a quite unusual form. Gale calls it a novel, but at least 95% of it is actual, deeply researched history. The only bits of apparent fiction are short conversations between real people, and perhaps the precise means of death of some of the men.

The first half of the book builds tension as we're introduced to a number of soldiers (officers mainly) in a countdown of days leading up to the Battle of the Somme. The second half is the first day of that months-long battle, as experienced by the individuals we have met. It's not "big picture" history, but it's how these men lived this history.

Pacifists should read this book. Those who glorify war really need to read this book.

I had high hopes when this was started. A well researched historical military novel can be entertaining and educational. I could not finish this book after reading ony 25%. By that time the battle had not been joined. Except for senior officers there was now way to know if the characters were historical or figments of the imagination. The author spent too much time setting up the myriad characters and I knew I would not be able to keep them straight as the story progressed. Far too much personal detail and not enough action. Some may enjoy this but not for me.