Project Gutenberg 2004-05-01 Public domain in the USA. 184 Beston, Henry 1888 1968 Beston, Henry B. Sheahan, Henry Edouard A Volunteer Poilu A. Langley “A Volunteer Poilu” by Henry Beston is a historical account written during the early 20th century, reflecting on the author's experiences as a volunteer in the French army during World War I. The narrative focuses on the life of American volunteers known as "les Poilus Américains," emphasizing their relationships with French soldiers and the realities of warfare. Beston’s work aims to shed light on the valor and struggles of the French private soldiers, capturing the essence of camaraderie amidst the backdrop of the Great War. At the start of the narrative, Beston introduces readers to the cargo ship Rochambeau, which is set to carry American supplies to war-torn France. The opening details the preparations for departure from America with a vibrant mix of characters on board, including soldiers, merchants, and civilians, all engaged in conversations about the war. Amidst the bustling atmosphere, a young American longshoreman expresses a desire to enlist in the war effort despite the dangers involved. Their interactions highlight diverse perspectives on the war, weaving a rich tapestry of human experiences as they venture into an uncertain future. The detailed portrayal of the ship's atmosphere sets the stage for Beston's subsequent explorations of life at the front, establishing a deep emotional connection with both the characters and the horrors of warfare. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 67.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. en World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives D501 Text World War I Category: History - European Category: History - Modern (1750+) Category: History - Warfare 303248 2025-08-05T14:56:25.933086 text/html 303069 2025-01-13T16:53:16.984225 text/html 185840 2025-08-05T14:56:31.455050 application/epub+zip 188233 2025-08-05T14:56:27.708085 application/epub+zip 188233 2025-08-05T14:56:26.558119 application/epub+zip 339578 2025-08-05T14:56:34.336050 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 322011 2025-08-05T14:56:30.700072 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 298656 2022-09-06T20:00:20.453472 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 282007 2025-08-05T14:56:25.631129 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 262312 2024-10-28T19:25:30 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 16811 2025-08-05T14:56:34.457086 application/rdf+xml 13320 2025-08-05T14:56:27.130106 image/jpeg 3478 2025-08-05T14:56:26.874128 image/jpeg 183215 2025-08-05T14:56:25.958156 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia