A Booklist Editor’s Pick for 2009 for History

Haunted by an ancestor’s tale of near death on a distant battlefield, James Carl Nelson set out in pursuit of the scraps of memory of his grandfather’s small infantry unit. Years of travel across the world led to the retrieval of unpublished personal papers, obscure memoirs, and communications from numerous doughboys, as well as original interviews with the descendents of his grandfather’s comrades in arms. The result is a compelling tale of battle rooted in new primary sources and one man’s search for his grandfather’s legacy in a horrifying maelstrom that is today poorly understood and nearly forgotten. Nelson’s account follows the members of Company D, 28th Infantry Regiment, United States First Division, from enlistment to combat to the effort to recover their remains, focusing on three major battles at Cantigny, Soissons, and Meuse-Argonne.

REVIEWS
“Not since Henry Berry's Make the Kaiser Dance has there been an intimate history like this one to illustrate the doughboys' contributions in World War I. The story of Company D, 28th Infantry Regiment, First Division, is one not soon to be forgotten….The author's meticulous and persistent research in tracking down the descendants of the combatants to uncover their letters and diaries makes his work the standard for research into the story of the American Expeditionary Force. Essential for all students of modern war.”—Library Journal

“Nelson's choice of the word ‘remains’ in the title is indicative of his larger theme—a search for the mark of the Great War on the American consciousness….As he follows the men of Company D, the author maintains a quick pace and provides evocative imagery….[Nelson] does an excellent job honoring the specific American experience in WWI—from immigrant diasporas to the shattered illusions of a quick campaign—and the lives of an extraordinary group of men. A personal, moving journey that will be a welcome addition to any military-history shelf.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Nelson delivers a creditable performance, bringing to life an America of 90 years ago….”—Publishers Weekly