To have known the author intimately is a rare privilege which has
materially aided me in retaining, if I have been successful in so
doing, the spirit and atmosphere of the original pages of "A Blue Devil
of France."
In every sense of the word I am a literalist. Barring a very few
instances I have been particularly rigid in my efforts to render
a literal translation. Where it has been impossible to do this,
the reader will find the original French to enhance the charm and
simplicity of the stories.
Simultaneously this striking story of the great war is published in
Paris under the title of _Comme Ils Vivent et Comme Ils Meurent_ (How
They Live and Die).
Redundant with vitality the several stories show a beautiful insight
into the character of the French _poilu_, who, fighting for more than
four years, remains unbroken in morale. Unpremeditatedly heroic,
killing their adversaries clean, ever chivalrous, witty, smiling in the
face of death and obscurity, these soldiers of France will go down in
history as martyrs to a definite understanding between peoples.
Sordid as war may be, here is the glorious side. _Le Feu_, by Henri
Barbusse, the critics write, is pessimistic and deals with the dark
side of this momentous conflict. If that be true "A Blue Devil of
France," with winning ingenuity, tells us in a simple, straightforward
manner that there is another, nobler, majestic view of modern battle.
It personifies the spirit of right, forever unquenchable, the champion
over material forces seeking to destroy.
Students of every free country will find in this book numerous examples
of the spirit of sacrifice of those who, for four years, have written
history with their blood; they will see that the most beautiful
existence for a man is to know well how to live and die for his country!
Americans may here visualize the Argonne, Verdun, Saint Mihiel, the
Champagne, consecrated spots, where their own blood is now being
hypothecated to succeeding generations. They may see the type of the
French _poilu_, with whom our boys are fighting arm in arm, as they go
plunging on to certain victory.