A Gentle Empire (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798887472614)

1914. When Percy Soul joins the Australian Imperial Force, he believes he's about to embark on a grand adventure. War has broken out in Europe, and this is his chance to prove himself while fighting for a noble cause. His only concerns: looking after the reckless younger brother who's enlisted with him, being separated from the woman he loves, and missing out on the action if the hostilities end too quickly.

Percy's dreams of glory evaporate when he confronts the horrors of trench warfare. Members of his platoon meet gruesome ends. His brother is sent back into battle despite suffering from shell shock. As he becomes overwhelmed by rage and guilt over the comrades he can't save, he struggles to hold on to his humanity.

A Gentle Empire is a gripping tale of innocence lost-and the bonds of brotherhood forged under unimaginable circumstances.