Hey, folks, welcome to the Battles of the First World War podcast.

This episode, I wanted to give a short review of the book,

The Great War in the Argonne Forest, French and American Battles 1914 through 1918.

The Great War in the Argon Forest was recently published by a friend of mine, a British gentleman named Richard Mary.

In 2018, before my most recent trip to France, I believe I asked Randy Golky if there was anyone on his Mursargon Facebook page who knew the history

of the Argon area during World War I. I was going to be staying in Vienne Le Chateau at the western

edge of the forest, and of course I wanted to know all about it. Randy connected me with Richard,

and in the months before I headed over, Richard took the time to craft these long and detailed emails to me, telling me the history of the Great War in the Argonne from beginning to end.

Richard even sent photos to accompany his emails.

I was so humbled that he would take the time to put together these long narratives to some random American who wanted to know these things.

Again, I'll point out that things like this are where the Internet can be an incredible force for good and human connection.

We have never met face to face, but I consider him a friend, and I look forward to a

libation with Richard someday soon. Before we get to the book, you should know that I'm doing this

simply because I want to promote Richard's book. I have not been paid by the publisher,

Richard, or anyone else.

Also, once you buy the book, you'll see that holy forking shirt balls, I'm in the book.

It's true, y'all. Both Randy Gulke and I made the acknowledgments right at the beginning of the book.

Now, this isn't my first claim to fame as I was first mentioned. Both Randy Galky and I made the acknowledgments read at the beginning of the book.

Now, this isn't my first claim to fame as I was first mentioned in the bibliography section of Jeff Berklin's excellent book,

A Brilliant Operation, the 362nd Infantry Regiment in France and Belgium, 1917 through 1919.

I hardly even need to mention that, I'm sure. But yeah, Richard put me in the acknowledgments of his book. Pen and Sword, the publishers, misspelled my last name, but hey,

that's happened all my life. At this point, folks, I don't know what to say. I mean, it's just a matter of time now before the six-figure

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