Simultaneously this striking story of the great war is published in Paris under the title of Comme Ils Vivent et Comme Ils Meurent (How They Live and Die).
Redundant with vitality the several stories show a beautiful insight into the character of the French poilu, who, fighting for more than four years, remains unbroken in morale. Unpremeditatedly heroic, killing their adversaries clean, ever chivalrous, witty, smiling in the face of death and obscurity, these soldiers of France will go down in history as martyrs to a definite understanding between peoples.
Sordid as war may be, here is the glorious side. Le Feu, by Henri Barbusse, the critics write, is pessimistic and deals with the dark side of this momentous conflict. If that be true "A Blue Devil of France," with winning ingenuity, tells us in a simple, straightforward manner that there is another, nobler, majestic view of modern battle. It personifies the spirit of right, forever unquenchable, the champion over material forces seeking to destroy.
Students of every free country will find in this book numerous examples of the spirit of sacrifice of those who, for four years, have written history with their blood; they will see that the most beautiful existence for a man is to know well how to live and die for his country!
Americans may here visualize the Argonne, Verdun, Saint Mihiel, the Champagne, consecrated spots, where their own blood is now being hypothecated to succeeding generations. They may see the type of the French poilu, with whom our boys are fighting arm in arm, as they go plunging on to certain victory.
J. C. Drouillard.
August 5, 1918.
New York City.
A Blue Devil of France
This chapter comprises several distinct periods in the life of the author.