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By the Hands of Men, Book One
A soldier fights for his soul in the trenches of France. A field hospital nurse battles death every day. When duty and honor are not enough of a reason to go on in the hell of a world at war, love gives purpose to their lives.
A mere mile from the blood-drenched front lines, Russian refugee and nurse Charlotte Braninov encounters English Lieutenant Robert Fitzgerald, who helps her save the life of another soldier. Robert's calm, courtly manner lingers in Charlotte's mind, a comforting memory amid the deluge of suffering that surrounds her when she returns to the hospital.
Wounded during an unauthorized mission of mercy and then demoted to a Medical Supply Officer, Robert Fitzgerald once more meets the brave young Russian nurse. When Charlotte volunteers to help the Lieutenant learn about his duties in this new life of service, a quiet friendship blooms and love grows in that harshest of soils, even as the war rages on. But human cruelty and endemic disease claw at their lives. Can love survive in a world torn by warfare, greed, and deception?
The Old World is the first volume of the epic globe-spanning By the Hands of Men series. From World War I France, it follows Robert and Charlotte through civil-war torn Russia to pre-revolution Shanghai, across the superstition-haunted swamps of the Congo and the timeless deserts of Central Africa, through Paris and London, and into the dream factory of Hollywood in the late 1930s.
Immersive, exciting, and emotionally compelling, By the Hands of Men is a gripping saga of fate, loss, redemption, and undying love.
These discussion questions were provided by the publisher, DartFrog Books.
Book club questions for By the Hands of Men, Book One by Roy M. Griffis
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
The political forces behind the First World War are not explicitly addressed in the novel. Both Robert and Charlotte volunteered to take their turn in the “forges of hell.” Charlotte lied about her age and volunteered as a Nurse. Why do you think she volunteered…and why do you think she would do so? Have you ever impulsively agreed to some difficult task? If you did, what were the unexpected impacts on your life?
Matron had to give up a great deal (family, social position, even the possibility of a husband and children of her own) to become and stay a nurse. What are the rewards and drawbacks of great sacrifice? What would you tell a friend who was thinking about making a huge sacrifice for an uncertain outcome?
Service is a persistent theme in this story. How did service seem to change the character’s lives, for good or bad? In what other ways is service provided? Have you been of service in your life? How did it affect you?
Robert seems to struggle with anger, especially righteous anger when he sees cruelty or malice. Does his anger make him reckless? Is “righteous anger” sometimes valuable, or is it just an excuse for violence (verbal or physical)? Is there any value to anger?
Charlotte prays from time to time during her wartime experiences. She rarely prays for herself, but often will remember others (like Matron or Robert) to the Almighty. How would you describe her faith? How does her prayer deepen her ability to confront a world crushed by war?
Orlando becomes very devoted to Robert, in spite of the differences in their social positions and the gap in their ages. What are the elements that overcome the cultural and social barriers and ultimately lead a lifelong friendship? How does that occur?
Alice seems to be very attracted to Robert at first, and clearly wants a more substantial relationship with him. Was Robert rude to her, or just indifferent? Why do you think he preferred to spend time with Nurse Braninov, a stranger to his own way of life, over Alice who clearly came from the same social background?
The plight of Ignace and his kitten seems to affect both Robert and Charlotte very deeply, but in different ways. Why do you think Robert responded the way he did (“a boot to their arse”)? Was his response justified or an over-reaction? And as for Charlotte’s fury at hearing how the kitten was injured by the wicked boys: what elements in her life might have contributed to her reaction?
Charlotte is just 17 when she admits she loves Robert madly, and he is scarcely 19 when he pledges his love to her. Emotions run high in stressful, life and death situations; do you think “young love” can endure across the years and miles of our lives? Or is that something that only happened in the past?
What passages or events in the novel had the most resonance for you emotionally? What events did you find unexpectedly moving?
By the Hands of Men, Book One Book Club Questions PDF
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A Towering Achievement
This book, and the entire By The Hands of Men series, is an incredible achievement by a talented author. It is, by turns, a fascinating look at the early twentieth century, a riveting adventure, an insightful and biting political commentary, and a sweeping romance. The characters are wonderfully and deeply drawn, and I found myself emotionally engaged and borne along by the same set of awful circumstances they faced throughout these wonderful books. This series should be required reading in every high school. I envy those just starting out reading this series... you're in for a rare treat! -- Amazon Reviewer, 5 stars
MAGNIFICENT STORY!!!
Told with amazing kindness and compassion. It was a gripping, agonizing, heart-rending book that touched my heart on every page. What an author!! Thank you! -- Amazon Reviewer, 5 stars
Wonderful! Engrossing!
While reading, I just became so fascinated by the characters and the plot that I could barely put my kindle down. While not reading, I couldn't stop thinking about the characters. I read A LOT and yet I seldom write reviews. In fact I'm forcing myself to write this instead of immediately diving into Book Two, which I've purchased and am chafing at the bit to get to. Excellently written, really. Great characterization. And to think I almost didn't read it because I've read SO MUCH about wars in Europe. Yet the perspective of a Russian countess inadvertently caught up in WW1 is so compelling, who could have guessed? And Matron! What a woman! And Ignace! Oh my goodness! And dear Orlando! Read this book. I'm rushing off to start Book Two. -- Amazon Reviewer, 5 stars
A literary portrayal of love in a time of brutal warfare
Easily the best book I have read in a decade. A moving portrayal of a tragic time in history. I can't wait to devour the rest of the series. -- Amazon Reviewer, 5 stars