The Eleventh Hour

A poignant First World War story of friendship

Jim and Jules are childhood friends, born on the same day in the same village. All their lives, Jim has been first-born two minutes before Jules, always faster, always stronger. When the First World War breaks out in Europe, the two young men enlist in the fight with 30,000 other Canadians.

On the Front, conditions aren't epic and glorious but muddy and barbaric. Here, too, Jim is the first to attack. Jules is always two minutes behind: lagging in drills, missing the boat, handed chores instead of honors. On November 11, 1918, Jim and Jules are sent out to fight one last time. Jim, always first over the top of the trench, is shot and dies at 10:58 am, two minutes before the Armistice takes effect at 11:00 am.

New in paperback and illustrated by political cartoonist Jacques Goldstyn, this picture book, inspired by true events, is a simple, poignant, and thought-provoking story.