One of Ours

Claude Wheeler is a restless young man living on a prosperous Nebraska farm, stifled by a materialistic family and an unfulfilling marriage to the pious, distant Enid Royce. He struggles to find purpose in a world defined by mechanical efficiency and provincial narrowness. When the United States enters the Great War, Claude enlists as an officer and travels to the front lines in France. In the midst of combat and the camaraderie of the American Expeditionary Forces, he finally discovers the sense of value and cultural vitality that remained elusive in his Midwestern life.

History enthusiasts and readers of classical fiction choose this work for its detailed depiction of the American agrarian transition and the brutal transition to modern warfare. It provides a specific look at the internal motivations of the soldiers who felt more alive on the battlefield than in their hometowns. Readers walk away with a clear understanding of the generational disillusionment that preceded the war and the way combat served as a paradoxical escape for those alienated by American industrialism.