John Galsworthy 
Burning Spear 

Originally published under a pseudonym, the wickedly satirical novel The Burning Spear is John Galsworthy’s send-up of the utter strangeness of life in wartime. Protagonist John Lavender works himself up into a patriotic frenzy, leaves behind the comforts of his quiet life and home, and sets forth on a quixotic quest to seek adventure and honor.