A Hilltop on the Marne Being Letters Written June 3-September 8, 1914

"A Hilltop on the Marne" by Mildred Aldrich is a collection of letters written during the early stages of World War I, specifically from June to September 1914. The work reflects the author’s observations and experiences living in a small French hamlet near Paris as the country teeters on the brink of war. The letters chronicle Aldrich's transition from city life to a rustic existence focused on her new rural home, capturing her thoughts and feelings on personal calm amidst the looming chaos of war. At the start of the book, Aldrich writes about her desire to retreat to the peaceful countryside after a long and active life in the city, believing that she can find tranquility and even happiness in her new surroundings. Through her letters, she describes her home in Huiry, the beauty of the landscape, and the simple life she plans to lead, all while hinting at the growing tensions in Europe. As the narrative unfolds, Aldrich shares her experiences witnessing the initial mobilization of the French military and her observations of the local community as they prepare for the upcoming conflict, illustrating a poignant contrast between her idyllic rural life and the harsh realities of impending war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mildred Aldrich (1853-1928) was an American journalist, editor, writer and translator. She spent her early career as a journalist and editor in Boston before moving to Paris, where she continued working as a foreign correspondent and translator. In 1914, shortly before the start of World War I, she retired to a house in the French countryside overlooking the Marne River valley. She published a novel and four accounts of her life based on collections of her letters written during the war years. In 1922, she was awarded the French Legion of Honour in recognition of her assistance to soldiers and refugees, and the influence her books apparently had in persuading the United States government to declare war on Germany.