An interesting book, that left me slightly confused. The first portion of the book really grabbed and held my attention. The depiction of the events at Gallipoli were truly riveting. The story and action were fast paced and gave you real insight to the trials and tribulations so many went through in the war. You really could bond with the two main characters. That said, the second half of the book, after the war left me disappointed. I wanted more than what the author gave us. Some of the events felt strained and the love interest between one of the men and his friend's sister felt incomplete. That said, I enjoyed the book overall.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for an early Kindle copy of this book.

I enjoyed this more than I expected, It was a vibrant tale of male friendship, forged in war but, refreshingly for books with male characters, weighing deep on the vulnerabilities and struggles of maintaining a friendship through exceedingly tough times. Barney Campbell drew me into the trenches with his descriptions of warfare and the atrocious weather suffered by troops.
This is a recommended read but perhaps not for the faint-hearted as some descriptions were brutally realistic.

Barney Campbell's "The Fires of Gallipoli" offers a compelling exploration of World War I through the lens of the Gallipoli campaign. This novel, set against one of the war's most costly operations, combines meticulous historical research with engaging fictional narrative.

Campbell skillfully intertwines the lives of these fictional characters with actual historical figures such as General Sir Ian Hamilton and Lord Kitchener, grounding the narrative in historical authenticity. Through Edward Salter, a young solicitor turned soldier, and his comrades Bruce Haynes-Mattingly and Theodore "Theo" Thorne, the reader gains insight into both the strategic challenges and human costs of the campaign.

Campbell focuses on friendship, loss, and the futility of war. Through Edward's eyes, we experience the initial excitement and the harrowing reality of the battlefield. The character development is convincing, with each figure drawn with depth and nuance. Edward's transformation from a naïve lawyer to a battle-hardened officer reflects the journey many young men of his era underwent. Meanwhile, Theo's progression from charm to disillusionment captures the psychological toll of relentless conflict.

Campbell's narrative skill is evident in his handling of multiple perspectives and timelines. His detailed descriptions bring the muddy trenches, smoky battlefields, and tense military meetings to life. While authentic to the period, the language remains accessible to modern readers, effectively bridging the century-old gap.

The novel occasionally slows under the weight of its historical scope, and some secondary characters could be more fully developed. However, these are minor blemishes in an otherwise accomplished work.

"The Fires of Gallipoli" demonstrates the power of historical fiction to examine both the past and human nature. It makes a significant contribution to war literature, honoring those who served at Gallipoli while prompting readers to consider how the impact of war resonates through generations. Campbell's novel invites us to reflect on conflict's human toll and the enduring bonds forged in its crucible.

This review is of an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson Limited. It is currently scheduled for release on February 13, 2025.

A grim but realistic story of war. You root for the characters from their early optimism through the horrors they eventually face v

This book follows the young officers Edward Salter and Theo Thorne, as they command their men during the Gallipoli campaign of WWI. I would like to thank NetGalley for this eARC, and all opinions are my own.

The story starts off relatively benign, with the men nervously awaiting their turn on the front lines. And then, we are deep in the trenches with Edward. The mud, the stench, the loss, and the flies are vividly described by the author, and you can feel like you are there. The misery of the trenches was very well written.

I enjoyed that Edward and Thorne admitted that they didn't know it all and that they respected their NCOs and junior enlisted. This is what made them good leaders and trusted by their men. It is also what bonded them during the war. I did feel as though Edward didn't really come into himself until the second half of the book, though.

I did not find the second half of the book to be as riviting as the first, and at times, it felt as though I was reading a completely different book. I actually think that Edward and Thorne's characters should have switched roles for the post-Gallipoli section. But, I still enjoyed it and gave it 3.5-4 stars (the second half of the book being the reason for the lower rating).

The story of a company of soldiers fighting in Gallipoli during the First World War. The horrifying account of the conditions they endured and the life changing injuries and loss of life.
This book is also about comradely, friendship and bravery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elliot & Thompson for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Barney Campbell’s “The Fires of Gallipoli,” with its depiction of the ghastliness of trench warfare, is as absorbing an account of that particular charnel house as I’ve ever read.
Among its horrors: A soldier remarking of another soldier that got caught on the wire that Jesus probably looked better on the cross. This after another soldier is blinded by an incoming mortar as he attempts an extrication.
And along with the carnage, some just plain bizarre bits, as when Lord Kitchener, he of “Your Country Needs You” poster fame, gets drawn into a conversation about knitting, or, in a departure from his usual taskmaster image, he guffaws at a front-line soldier’s comment that they’ve finally sent a decent recruit. And the seemingly odd circumstances of the field marshal’s death, detailed in both the novel’s text and an afterword, make for engaging speculation.
Not so engaging for me, though, was a post-Gallipoli interval in Constantinople having to do with efforts against Bolshevism which, while not irrelevant to the book’s action, struck me as a bit much for the novel to try to fit comfortably under its umbrella along with Gallipoli.
About Gallipoli, though, the book is magnificent, with its registration of the effects of the campaign on the novel’s two principals, one of whom gets involved with the other's sister in a romance I'd have liked to have seen more of.
History the way it should be depicted, in short, Campbell’s fine novel.

The story of two young men, Salter and Thorne who form a strong bond of friendship during the Great War. While this oftentimes was horrific in the descriptions of men who were killed during battle and the brutality of survival at all costs there was also eloquence to the storyline and quiet strength between these two brave young men who were faced with the horrors and their fears in the midst of a tragic war.

this was a strong historical fiction novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the concept. It worked with the World War 1 element. The characters were realistic for the time-period and was invested in what was happening. Barney Campbell has a strong writing style and was glad I read this.