Notes of a Camp Follower on the Western Front is a captivating and powerful account of life during World War I. E. W. Hornung's vivid descriptions allow readers to truly immerse themselves in the harsh realities of warfare, offering a unique perspective from the viewpoint of a camp follower.

The author's prose is both eloquent and poignant, painting a sobering picture of the brutal conditions faced by soldiers and civilians alike. Through detailed accounts of daily life on the front lines, Hornung sheds light on the sacrifices made by those who served in the war, as well as the impact it had on their loved ones back home.

What sets this book apart is the author's ability to convey the emotional toll of war, capturing the fear, loss, and resilience of those caught in its grip. Despite the bleak subject matter, Notes of a Camp Follower on the Western Front is a gripping and thought-provoking read that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of World War I history.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the human cost of war and the untold stories of those affected by it. Hornung's poignant narrative will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.

Book Description:
In 1915 Oscar Hornung, son of the famous author E W Hornung, was killed at Ypres after less than a year as a soldier in Flanders. He was only 20. Two years later E W Hornung volunteered to help run one of the YMCA canteens close behind the front line.

This book is Hornung’s own account of the time he spent in Northern France: first helping in a canteen, then running a library for the enlisted men. He wanted to be near the place where his son died, to meet the young soldiers who were fighting the war, and to make their lives a little better. More than anything, Hornung wanted to believe there was a greater purpose to he war: in his descriptions soldiers are always heroes, the struggles just, and leaders wise and kind.

But whatever his motivations and blind-spots, Hornung brought all his skills as a highly experienced novelist to the task of telling his story. We feel we are there with him while he talks to the soldiers, travels to the front line to serve cocoa and biscuits under fire, and finally sets up a lending library only a couple of miles from No Man’s Land. Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle grudgingly admitted that this book contains some of the best descriptions of life on the Western Front.