The Drums of War

"The Drums of War" by H. De Vere Stacpoole is a historical fiction novel that transports readers to 19th-century Germany, just before the storm of World War I. The story centers on Patrick, a young boy whose childhood innocence is juxtaposed against the looming presence of war as he journeys with his father, General Count Mahon, and their loyal servant, Joubert. The novel follows Patrick's adventures to Frankfort, ultimately leading him to his mother's ancestral home, Schloss Lichtenberg. Here, Patrick grapples with family history, a mysterious Baron, the weight of expectations, and the growing sense of unease. Through Patrick's eyes, the narrative explores themes of family, the transition from boyhood to manhood, and the early signs of conflict.