Book excerpt: Joseph G. Butler Jr.'s 'A Journey Through France in War Time' is a unique and personal account of his experiences in France during World War I. Written at the request of friends, the author hopes to share with his readers the patriotic devotion and courage of the French people, whose aspirations towards liberty the Americans helped before they were themselves free. In this book, Butler gives readers a glimpse of the art, architecture, and towns of France, as well as the war-ravaged cities and the work of reconstruction. It is a fascinating insight into the experiences of an American in France during one of the darkest periods of European history.