War on the Porch by Travis Davis: A Fascinating Look of War Veterans

Set against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in history, War on the Porch by Travis Davis invites readers into a poignant narrative exploring the lingering echoes of World War I. Published in 2025, this historical fiction novel unfolds through the eyes of Gordon Grover, a local reporter tasked with uncovering the stories of veterans as the world prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war’s end.

Spoiler-free Plot

In 1968, a local reporter was writing a story for one of Arkansas’s newspapers about the upcoming 50th anniversary of the end of World War I. The reporter, Gordon Grover, set out to interview local veterans, including Patrick King, a veteran who had been blinded during the war by an artillery attack.

Initially, Patrick hesitated to speak with the reporter and participate in the interview until he learned that Gordon was a World War II veteran and that his father had fought and died in World War I. With his wife, Pauline, by his side, Patrick shares his story, which turns into a journey of healing.

The narrative he shares describes how a patrol of ordinary soldiers, against all odds, achieved the extraordinary by carrying out a nearly impossible mission behind German lines in northern France in July 1918, just as the Second Battle of the Marne was about to begin.

It is an incredible tale of heroism, bravery, leadership, selflessness, and perseverance that has never been told because General Pershing advised Patrick in the summer of 1918 not to share it with anyone, as no one would believe him. He stayed committed to keeping it to himself until that fateful summer of 1968.

My Take on War on the Porch

Author Travis Davis served in real life for the military, and that is a very important element to consider in this book. It is a celebration and a way to honor the American soldiers who gave their lives during the World War efforts in those two occasions, thus making this read a bit more personal with that context in time.

When considering the story, there are other elements that need to be taken into account. Davis is a very straightforward narrator and is shown throughout the vast majority of the book. He wastes no time with the descriptions as he is very clear.

For example, when Gordon heads to Patrick King’s home, the author is very clear regarding the directions he takes, the surroundings, and so on. There is no excess of details or poetic narrative, but just straight-up facts.

That, in a way, could be quite divisive. There is the possibility that some people might find this narrative style a bit too simple and want a bit more detail or prose. From my perspective, I think this matter-of-fact approach to storytelling fits quite well with Gordon’s character. And I’m going to explain why.

Gordon is sent there to do an interview with Patrick and research about the latter’s experience in World War I. This narrative style makes the book feel as if you are reading a news piece of this interview, which I found entertaining. Moreover, it gives the story a bit more personality, although I fully understand if it’s a deal-breaker for some.

Without revealing a lot of spoilers of the book, the story of Patrick’s exploits in World War I is as heartbreaking as they are compelling. One can tell that Davis, a veteran in his own right, did a lot of research to capture the context of the time, especially considering the collaboration he made with the veterans he mentions in the preface of the book.

Therefore, he shows the perspective of the soldier, the sacrifices he made for his country, and also how he felt during such a torrid time. It is something that is not shown in a lot of fiction, giving the soldier his own perspective after the fact. Most stories tend to show the events as they happen, but this book has the character offering his own conclusions after having gone through those situations.

It is a small change, but one that makes such a monumental difference. In that regard, there is also a considerable amount of growth between Gordon and Patrick, especially considering how they had such a rocky start at the beginning of the interview.

While they didn’t spend a lot of time talking within the story, one can see their mutual understanding as fellow soldiers but also as men, which was great to read.

The pacing is good, there is almost no filler, and, at about 220 pages, it is a very easy read that one can complete on a day off. A very interesting 2025 release, and people who are into historical fiction should give it a chance.

A heartfelt and unsentimental portrayal of forgotten heroism, War on the Porch offers a soldier’s-eye view of sacrifice, resilience, and the bonds forged in war.

---