At Plattsburg

"At Plattsburg" by Allen French is a story set around World War I that follows Richard Godwin, an ordinary citizen who finds himself in military training at a camp in Plattsburgh, New York. The book shows how Richard deals with military life and the other recruits, like the rich David Ridgway Farnham. The story follows Richard as he writes letters to his mother and displays the everyday challenges and relationships he develops with his fellow recruits. The early part of "At Plattsburgh" introduces us to Richard’s experiences as he gets used to the camp. He meets a pastor who believes in peace and deals with the fun and sometimes difficult relationships with the other men. One of those men is David Farnham, who comes from a wealthy family which causes problems because he isn't used to the hard work. The story shows the friendships, difficulties, and changes these young men face as they confront their identities during an important time in history.