Title: One Step From Glory – America In World War One
Author: Sidney Little
Publisher: Blue Ink Media Solutions
ISBN: 9781641339605
Pages: 489
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Reviewer: Alyssa Avina

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It’s long been said that to make sure not to repeat history, you need to learn from it. All the good and the bad those before us have been through has great importance in our lives today so that we can hopefully learn from their bravery and try not to make the same mistakes others have made. Though, in One Step From Glory – America in World War One by Sidney Little, we get to learn about in vivid detail and the story told through these fictional characters is a courageous one, much like those who did actually fight during that era.

Told through the eyes of four college friends who are called to war on the Western front in France, we quickly become enthralled by their backstories and where this path will inevitably lead them into The Great War. Getting to know each of these young men and see how strong their bond of friendship was from start to finish made this an even more relatable read. It also was a beautiful way to humanize those who can be forgotten in wars — the ones who fought for our freedom.

This is by far one of the best war novels I have read in some time. It was incredibly well-researched and historically accurate throughout. The depiction of the introduction of airplanes in warfare was very detailed and thoroughly interesting to read. Getting to follow the fictional characters of a very real division in the US Army — the Rainbow (42nd) Division to be exact — was also intriguing to learn about its formation in the states as well as follow their progress from New York all the way to the battlefield. The vivid details of their conflicts that had great importance such as St. Thierry to the Aragon and all the way to the armistice of 1918 made you feel as though you were right there in the action with them.

I found this story to be incredibly poignant and inspiring. Getting to see the war through the eyes of the soldiers and learn their stories as their journey progressed truly added to the historical narrative that was set forth. While the battle descriptions certainly will enthrall readers and keep them turning the pages as the action takes place, it is Pat and his fellow recruits that will keep you there and have you rooting for them until the very last page. This story has heart and it is one not to be missed. One Step From Glory – America in World War One by Sidney Little is a must-read and captures the essence of World War One masterfully!