A Saskatchewan farm boy and an Indigenous scout become brothers-in-arms, fighting across Europe.

In 1944, 21-year-old Private Ewen Morrison joins the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and meets his new platoon, including Reggie Johnson, an Indigenous soldier from an Ontario reserve. His new friend supplements the army’s training with some of his own, helping to prepare Ewen for scouting missions against the enemy.

As they advance across northern Europe, the men confront the brutal reality of war. Reggie’s bravery, skill and authority soon earn him a field promotion, but not necessarily the respect of all the men in his platoon.

This is not the story of generals and officers, but of the men on the ground and the hardships they endured.

Janet Love Morrison is an author and editor whose previous books include The Crazy Canucks: Canada’s Legendary Ski Team (foreword by Peter Mansbridge), winner of the 2009 One Book, One Vancouver award, and Radar the Rescue Dog (foreword by Justin Trudeau). She currently teaches High School English on the Cote First Nation Reserve near Kamsack, Saskatchewan. In 2008, Love Morrison was honoured with the Cree spirit name Standing Tidal Horse Woman.

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This emotionally gripping novel brings to life an account of the atrocities of war amongst a tightknit group of infantry soldiers. . . . Janet Love Morrison does a masterful job weaving the personal accounts into an action-packed storyline, making it a captivating read.

Col. Timothy R. Young