Aces Over Ypres

"John Stack is to be welcomed into the ranks of first-rate historical writers" - Tuam Herald

August 1914.

The nations of Europe are at war.

The conflict is spread over land and sea, and for the first time in history the fight is taken to the skies above.

Private Second-Class Charlie Sexton is part of that air war, but not by choice.

Injured on the battlefield after he witnesses the horrifying death of his friend, the born-and-bred artilleryman has suddenly found himself seconded as an observer for the British Flying Corps.

Lieutenant James St Leger is a volunteer pilot. He has little time for the inexperienced Sexton, and is weighted down by the responsibility he feels for the death of his previous observer.

But they must work together, their task; to carry out reconnaissance work over the ever-changing battlefields of northern France, braving lethal anti-aircraft fire in order to keep British headquarters constantly updated.

They are faced in the air by the Fliegertruppen, the German Flying Corps who strive to dominate the skies and the first chivalrous skirmishes between the opposing sides soon turns to deadly combat.

Sexton and St Leger are challenged by the pilot of biplane B466, Leutnant Kurt Manheim.

The contest escalates as losses mount on both sides and the brutality of the ground war finds its way into sky, forcing each man to question their own ethics of 'honour in battle'.

Aces over Ypres is the extraordinary story of ordinary men who forged a new theatre of warfare with their very lives. The tale follows Charlie's experiences through the early stages of the First World War as he witnesses the rapidly developing technology and tactics of aerial warfare. It is a story of heroes and the birth of a new breed of warrior; the Aces.

Praise for John Stack:

‘Strong characters, excellent action, Ship of Romebuilds to a superb climax’ - Conn Iggulden

‘Peopled with characters both fictional and historical, this debut novel - the first in the Masters Of The Sea series - gives a fascinating and evocative insight into the high politics and military life of the times’ - Daily Mail

‘This is a seriously entertaining book for anyone who enjoys stirring descriptions of ancient warfare. You can almost taste the salt, see the blood and hear the shouts and screams…John Stack is to be welcomed into the ranks of first-rate historical writers’ - Tuam Herald

John Stack was born not far from the city of Cork, on the south coast of Ireland. Growing up a huge fan of Wilbur Smith and James Clavell, Stack set his sights on writing historical fiction after being made redundant from a job in computer technology. His first book, Ship of Rome was published in January 2009 and reached the Sunday Times bestsellers list. His second book Captain of Rome followed a year later and his third, Master of Rome, completing the trilogy entitled Masters of the Sea. He is also the author of a book about the Spanish Armada. He is married with three children.


Genre: Thriller