It is 1914. Two Harvard undergraduates navigate the battles they face in the classroom, on the ballfield, and in their hearts. While European nations maneuver toward war, William and Merlin must decide how to juggle their travails in Cambridge with the tragedies overseas. As they endure the horrors of the Western Front, William clings to the hope that he may somehow find answers about his past. If only he can discover a way to maneuver through no-man's-land, elude the German lines, and make inquiries in Antwerp.
William consciously tried to keep his face from contorting. He would not dishonor the patriarch of this family that had given him so much.
Still, to unleash this pent-up rhetoric in the seats of Brave’s Field—in the midst of the world championship! Would someone please explain to Uncle how ludicrous it is!
“A wolf and a lamb,” Uncle muttered. “A leopard next to a kid? A calf and a lion? A cow and a bear? Did Isaiah compose such words with hope of an equitable zoo? Is this what the Messiah will accomplish? Is it not to tear apart all that we have built between us? That separates us? That divides? And has it not happened? Have I not seen it? On the plains? During their ceremony with bread and wine? Cowboys and ranchers and natives and bankers. Former slaves and politicians. Women, children, all partaking . . . all acknowledging . . . He had already come.”
Mowrey hit a weak fly to short, easily caught by Everett Scott to end the game and the Series.
The crowd cheered, but certainly not as raucously as for the previous Boston wins William had witnessed. The Rooters raided the field, blasting “Tessie,” while William remained seated, watching Uncle continue his deliberation.
He appeared finished but remained in the same position, leaning forward, eyes focused on the field, watching the Boston players celebrate with their fans.
As the seats emptied, Uncle turned to William. His eyes were narrowed, his brow furrowed, as if he were struggling to unravel a difficult geometric theorem.
Well?” Uncle asked. “What do you think?”
“Of all you’ve been saying?”
“Yes.”
William shifted his eyes away. He shook his head and before speaking focused back on Uncle. “I don’t believe in any of that.”
Forcey's prose is subtle but intimate, able to depict the nuances of the connection between the primary characters.
The BookLife Prize
Amazon Reviews:
October 1,
2025
The writing is beautifully introspective, almost poetic at times. The central character’s emotional and psychological journey is handled with such nuance that you feel like you're experiencing their inner world in real time. The theme of searching whether for truth, connection, or redemption is woven through every scene with subtle brilliance
September 8, 2025
I found Reconnaissance to be a moving blend of history, personal struggle, and the brutal realities of war. The story of two Harvard students thrown into the chaos of Europe kept me engaged from start to finish. I liked how William’s search for answers about his past added depth to the battlefield scenes. The balance between campus life and the Western Front made the contrast even more powerful. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with heart and humanity.
August 30, 2025
The experience of WWI through the experience of two friends, told at the level of personal strife, rather than focused on a particular event or historical figure. I prefer my historical fiction told through this lens, and Larry Forcey delivers in spades! His story draws you in, with the kind of attention to detail and well crafted scenes that immerse the reader in the era. Well done! Highly recommend!!
August 11, 2025
I don't usually go for war books, but something about the Harvard setting drew me in since I visited there last summer. The way the author shows how these college guys go from worrying about classes to dealing with actual trenches was pretty powerful. William's search for answers about his past kept me interested beyond just the war stuff.
The WWI scenes were tough to read sometimes - not gonna lie, I had to take breaks during some of the battle descriptions. But thats what made it feel real, I guess. You really get a sense of how different life was back then and how quickly everything changed for people. The friendship between the two main characters felt genuine, which helped balance out all the heavy war content.