Scarlet Fields

The Combat Memoir of a World War I Medal of Honor Hero

By: John Lewis Barkley

Narrated by: Bob Souer

A reconnaissance man and sniper, John Lewis Barkley served in Company K of the Fourth Infantry Regiment, a unit that participated in almost every major American battle. The York-like episode that earned Barkley his Congressional Medal of Honor occurred on October 7, 1918, when he climbed into an abandoned French tank and singlehandedly held off an advancing German force, killing hundreds of enemy soldiers. But Barkley's memoir abounds with other memorable moments and vignettes, all in the words of a soldier who witnessed war's dangers and degradations but was not at all fazed by them.

Unlike other writers identified with the "Lost Generation", he relished combat and made no apology for having dispatched scores of enemy soldiers; yet he was as much an innocent abroad as a killing machine, as witnessed by second thoughts over his sniper's role, or by his determination to protect a youthful German prisoner from American soldiers eager for retribution. This Missouri backwoodsman and sharpshooter was also a bit of a troublemaker who smuggled liquor into camp, avoided promotions like the plague, and had a soft heart for mademoiselles and fräuleins alike.

©2012 The University Press of Kansas (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Barkley was one of the war's outstanding heroes and his memoir is one of the most readable and detailed accounts of an American soldier's experiences to emerge from it." (Edward M. Coffman, author of The War to End All Wars)

A must listen!

a great book that really really feels like a time capsule. I'd highly recommend giving it a listen. it was like sitting with that 110 year old man that can tell you great stories all day and you never get tired of hearing them.

Missouri's Sergeant York

I am so glad I had an opportunity to listen to this story and amazing read more amazing is that it was not a hit when it came out in the early thirties

great memoir of the great war

most ww1 books and some memoirs read dry and very melodramatic like most accounts written by historians and literary scholars of that time.Yes war is savagery cruel and despicable but at the same time its romanticized. Alot of ww1 books lean towards this melodramatic style but this book did not. It reads like a ww2 memoir were the genral additude of the war was very differently viewed by society as a whole. It reads as his own experience the good. bad, ugly, and yes the excitement he felt. Instead of a the views held by criticis of ww1. Barkley was viewed as a blood thirsty war mongering person shortly after the war even though men like him became famous like Alvin York and Charles whistlesey...The only thing that sets this hero apart was the style in which his book was written. A veiw that offended the liberal scholarlars and the popularly held British views about ww1 and so he was doomed to fade in the public eye and popular history of ww1 heros. its a damn shame too his actions on the battle field are by far some of the most epic and courageous actions I have herd of. compared to other medal of honor recipients of the great war few come close to what he accomplished on the battle field and its a shame he was not held in higher standing in the public during his life. The fact he offended the scholars of his time is a testament to him. Just because his book wasnt a woe is war tale should tell you everything about the so called literary experts of his day. This book is a good read with a down to earth man's view of combat for americans in ww1.

Great book

I Really enjoyed this book. A lot of detailed fighting and gritty imagery. The intro/lead up into his time overseas was a little long but I understand it’s an important part of getting to know the man. Definitely worth the credit and read.

What an incredible story!

That was such a wonderful account of one of the greats that came before us. well worth the read!