From the time he left San Francisco in June of 1917 until he returned in 1919, Charles Pauson kept a detailed diary of his experiences as a U.S. Army surgeon during World War I. On his return from Europe, he planned to use the diary entries as the basis of a series of columns about the war for a San Francisco newspaper.

His observations on wartime Europe as well as military life and the war itself add a personal angle to the historical perspective. And his communications with his brothers and sisters give a unique insight into the Pauson family during that period.

This book represents the complete transcription of Charles Pauson's hand-written diaries, and includes additional letters to the family and the few photographs that have survived.