The Amateur Army

"The Amateur Army" by Patrick MacGill is a memoir that tells the story of an every-day person becoming a soldier during World War I. It follows MacGill's path from being a regular guy to joining "Kitchener's Army," showing the friendships, the tough times, and even the funny stories that come with being in the military. The book gives a close viewing into what war is like and the different kinds of people you meet. In the beginning, MacGill thinks about why he joined the army, saying it was because of curiosity, feeling like he should, and just what everyone was doing at the time. He talks about the early days of training, how weird it was to stay with regular families, and how the British people didn't really understand the war. These early parts paint a clear picture of the funny but also serious moments between soldiers and people back home, the difficulty of getting used to military rules, and the everyday life of a new soldier, creating a story that's both lighthearted and hints at the harsh realities of war.