The adventures of an ensign
Two newly commissioned second lieutenants of the Guards leave Waterloo Station on a summer Saturday in 1916 while the guns of the Somme can be heard in Kent. The narrator, known only as our Ensign, follows them to the base depot in France, into billets, up the line and through the battle itself, recording the routines, the slang, the food and the sudden deaths of a junior officer's war with a lightness that does not hide what he has seen. Valentine Williams, a journalist who had served with the Irish Guards and been wounded, published the book in 1917. He later turned to thrillers, but this is a direct personal narrative of the Western Front. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The adventures of an ensign
The adventures of an ensign by Valentine Williams can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The adventures of an ensign online?
Yes. The adventures of an ensign opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The adventures of an ensign free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The adventures of an ensign is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The adventures of an ensign in the public domain?
Yes. The adventures of an ensign by Valentine Williams is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The adventures of an ensign?
About 3 h 32 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The adventures of an ensign?
The adventures of an ensign by Valentine Williams is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
