The Grey Wave

"The Grey Wave" by Major A. Hamilton Gibbs tells the story of a man's journey through World War I, providing a window into the life of a soldier readying to face the grim conditions of battle. It reveals how young men are changed as they get ready to fight, sharing the difficulties of military training, the friendships made between soldiers, and the mental effects of war. At the beginning, the memoir shows Gibbs’ life before the war. It shares how he first didn't want to fight after he got better from an operation. However, watching his friends in London get more and more excited about the war makes him realize he needs to join. Gibbs explains the big differences between his old life and the difficult military life, from training camps to barracks. He also captures moments of friendship, humor, and deep thinking. The first parts of the book show his thoughts while signing up, his early days in the army, and the honest experiences he shares with other new soldiers as they look for purpose and identity in the middle of the chaotic times around them.