First Over There

"First to Fight: An American Volunteer in the French Foreign Legion and the Lafayette Escadrille in World War I" by Steven T. Tom tells the story of an American who left the comfort of civilian life to fight for France before the United States entered the First World War. The narrative follows this volunteer through his enlistment in the French Foreign Legion, his time in the brutal trench warfare on the Western Front, and his eventual transition to the skies as a member of the Lafayette Escadrille, the famous squadron of American pilots flying for France. This progression from infantryman to aviator gives the book a natural arc, moving from the mud and misery of ground combat to the comparatively glamorous but equally dangerous world of early aerial warfare.

Steven T. Tom approaches his subject with the care of a historian who has clearly done extensive research into primary sources, letters, and military records. The book benefits from this diligence, offering readers a grounded and detailed account rather than a romanticized version of events. The early chapters, which cover the volunteer's decision to join the Foreign Legion and his subsequent training, set the stage for what follows by establishing the motivations and character of the man at the center of the story. Readers unfamiliar with the Foreign Legion's role in the early years of the war will find this section particularly informative, as it explains the unique position of American volunteers who chose to fight for France before their own country had joined the conflict.

The middle portion of the book, dealing with trench warfare, is where the narrative carries its greatest emotional weight. Tom does not shy away from describing the harsh conditions faced by soldiers in the trenches, including the physical and psychological toll of prolonged combat. This section serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost of the war, and it grounds the more adventurous later chapters about aviation in a context of genuine sacrifice and hardship. The author's attention to detail regarding daily life in the trenches, the logistics of the Foreign Legion, and the broader military strategy of the period adds depth to the personal story being told.

Once the narrative shifts to the Lafayette Escadrille, the tone of the book changes noticeably. The chapters on aviation capture the novelty and danger of early aerial combat, a field that was still being defined during World War I. Tom's description of the technical aspects of flying, the aircraft used, and the tactics employed by pilots on both sides adds an educational element to the book without overwhelming the narrative with jargon. The camaraderie among the American pilots, many of whom had similarly volunteered out of a sense of adventure or idealism, is portrayed with nuance, avoiding easy sentimentality while still conveying the bonds formed under such extraordinary circumstances.

One of the strengths of this book is its balance between broad historical context and individual experience. Readers gain a sense of the larger geopolitical situation, including France's reliance on foreign volunteers and the eventual involvement of the United States, while never losing sight of the personal journey at the heart of the story. Tom's prose is clear and accessible, making the book suitable for readers who may not have extensive prior knowledge of World War I history but are interested in learning more about this specific and lesser-known aspect of the conflict.

The book does slow in certain sections where military logistics and troop movements are described in detail, which may test the patience of readers looking for a faster-paced narrative. However, these sections also serve as valuable historical documentation, and for readers with a deeper interest in military history, they add authenticity and rigor to the overall account. The transitions between the ground war and the aerial war are handled smoothly, and the book maintains a consistent voice throughout.

Overall, "First to Fight" is a well-researched and thoughtfully constructed account of an American's journey through two very different theaters of World War I combat. Steven T. Tom succeeds in humanizing the broader historical narrative of the Lafayette Escadrille and the French Foreign Legion by anchoring it in the experiences of a single volunteer. The book will appeal to readers interested in military history, aviation history, or the personal stories of those who chose to fight for causes beyond their own national borders before their country formally entered the war.