My Historical Non-Fiction Books:
The Great War Series is a six‑volume journey into Canada’s experience of the First World War, told through the voices of those who were there. Drawing on letters, diaries, and first‑hand accounts, these books bring to life the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of soldiers, nurses, and families who endured the war that reshaped a nation.
My work is dedicated to preserving memory not as distant history, but as lived experience. By weaving together meticulous research with the authentic words of those who served, I aim to honour their valour and ensure that their stories are not forgotten.
Step back in time to the trenches, skies, and stories of the Great War. Through my collection of World War I books, I explore the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived through one of history’s most defining conflicts.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a student of military heritage, or simply curious about the human experiences behind the headlines, these works aim to honour memory and valour while offering fresh perspectives on the war that shaped the modern world.
Each of these book are available for purchase on Amazon, in Kindle or paperback format.
Ancestors Sitting Between Us is a haunting meditation on war, memory, and the unseen threads that bind generations. Centered on the Battle of Hill 70, it traces the legacy of one Canadian soldier and the silent burdens carried by his descendants. Blending lyrical prose, rigorous research, and insights from epigenetics, Samantha asks: What do we inherit beyond bloodlines? What stories live in our cells? This is both a family history and a reckoning with the past that still lives within us all.
The War That Stayed traces the psychological scars of war from the trenches of WWI to today’s Canadian Armed Forces. From the deadly remnants of the Iron Harvest still surfacing in European fields to the unseen wounds of shellshock and PTSD, Samantha reveals how trauma embeds itself in body and mind. Through stories of soldiers once condemned as “cowards,” and by blending history, testimony, and research, this book is both remembrance and a call to honour those who carry war within them.
In Flanders’ Shadow pulls back the veil on the lived experience of Canadian soldiers during the brutal campaigns of 1916, from Regina Trench to Courcelette. Far from myths of glory, it immerses readers in the mud‑soaked realities of trench life: illness, vermin, weather, and the psychological toll of war. Drawing from authentic letters, veteran testimonies, and brilliant medical innovations in the battlefields, McCrea explores the language, humour, superstitions, and psychological toll that defined the front lines while reflecting on her own great‑grandfather’s sacrifice.
The Great War in Four Acts: Echoes of Valour: As living memory of the First World War fades, this volume revives its legacy through four powerful narratives of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. McCrea highlights the overlooked contributions of Indigenous soldiers, the terror of gas warfare, the fragile peace of the Christmas Truce, and the brutal push through the Hindenburg Line. Blending vivid storytelling with historical insight, The Great War in Four Acts challenges myths of glory and reaffirms the meaning of “Lest We Forget,” offering a fresh perspective on courage, sacrifice, and remembrance.
Zero Hour: Courage, Sacrifice and the Canadian Corps in WWI: A sweeping account of Canada’s journey from fledgling volunteers to one of the most effective forces on the Western Front. Covering every major battle from Ypres and Vimy Ridge, to Passchendaele, the Canal du Nord, and the Hundred Days, Samantha L.G. McCrea brings to life the grit, heartbreak, and heroism that shaped both the war’s outcome and a nation’s identity. More than military history, Zero Hour is a tribute to sacrifice, resilience, and remembrance.
**This Tribute Book was created for a friend who knew very little of his grandfather who had served in WW1. Through archival research and a passion for preserving his family’s story, this book was produced.**
From the mud of Passchendaele to the victory of the Hundred Days, The Endurance of Private Hughie John McDonald tells the true story of a Canadian runner whose courage and stamina became legendary within his battalion. For nearly two days he carried messages under fire, assisted the wounded, and refused to give in to exhaustion. Awarded the Military Medal, Hughie’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and the human spirit in the darkest of times.
