My Hut

About the Book

My Hut chronicles the experiences of a YMCA secretary in France during World War One. In September 1917, William Levere sailed for France as a YMCA volunteer. Throughout the war, Levere ran a canteen for soldiers in the town of Neufchâteau, a hub of activity for the American Expeditionary Forces. He also traveled throughout the region, visiting troops along the front lines. After the Armistice, he continued his YMCA work for the U.S. Army of Occupation in Andernach, Germany.

Published for the first time nearly eight decades after it was written, My Hut is Levere's own memoir of his days of service. It brings to life the overseas adventures of one American man who sought to take part in history.

About the Author

William Levere (1872?1927) was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but lived most of his life in Evanston, Illinois. A writer, historian, and politician, Levere served as Evanston City Court Magistrate, Evanston City Treasurer, and as a member of the Illinois General Assembly. From 1902 to 1906, he served as Eminent Supreme Archon (Fratenity President) of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. From 1912 until 1927, he served as the Fraternity?s Eminent Supreme Recorder (Executive Director).

From 2001?2005, Jenny Thompson worked as the archivist for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation in Evanston, Illinois. She has an MA and a PhD in American Studies and has taught at the University of Maryland and Roosevelt University. She is the author of War Games: Inside the World of Twentieth-Century War Reenactors (Smithsonian Books, 2004).