This series includes three novels about the First World War written by Joseph A. Altsheler who witnessed the described events himself: The Guns of Europe The Forest of Swords: A Story of Paris and the Marne The Hosts of the Air: The Story of a Quest in the Great War Joseph Alexander Altsheler was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He was a prolific writer, and produced fifty-one novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Thirty-two of his novels were part of his seven series: The Civil War Series, The French and Indian War Series, The Gold Series, The Great West Series, The Texan Series, The World War Series, The Young Trailers Series.