At the Gates of Acheron

"At the Gates of Acheron" is based on actual events. After a 2008 visit to the legendary World War I battlefield at Belleau Wood, author and retired Marine, John Ryan began nine years of research to discover the untold stories of those involved in the battle that General Pershing called the Gettysburg of the war. This novel, rather than a chronological recitations of events, tells the story from the perspective of the real characters involved in America's reluctant declaration of war, the increasingly desperate battles between and within the warring parties and the climactic battle at Belleau Wood. Placing the reader within the story, they will see the personal side of the main characters, experience their emotions and feel the environment and reality of the war and the battles. At the heart of the story is Harry Gilman, an 8-year-old Dutch boy whose parents are killed by Germans early in the war. Escaping German captivity, he will wander the front lines until 1917 when he follows General Pershing on a visit to the Marine Brigade. Harry remains and bonds with the Marines and will follow them to their legendary battle at Belleau Wood. In America, President Woodrow Wilson struggles to keep America out of the war while dealing with the troublesome Mexican Revolution on the nation's southern border. When German plots and ship sinkings force America to declare war in 1917, Wilson picks General John Pershing to lead America's ill-prepared but war bound Army. Over his objections, Pershing is forced to take the 4th Marine Brigade to Europe. Determined to win the war in 1918, Germany launches a massive spring offensive to defeat the British and French before America can tip the scales. As the offensive peaks, the French desperately appeal to the Americans for help. Pershing sends two untested American Army divisions to stop the German advance along the Marne River east of Paris. The American 2nd Division, with the Marine Brigade, is sent into the rolling hills and dense woods around a hunting preserve called Belleau Wood. Refusing to leave the Marines, twelve-year-old Harry follows them to the battlefield. As the battle rages, Harry learns the two Marines he cares most about have been wounded. Disregarding his own safety, he sprints across the exploding battlefield into Belleau Wood in search of his Marines. The battle will change the course of the war and Harry's life.