The Side of the Angels

The Side of the Angels, first published in 1947, is a novel set in World War II centering on two brothers: Tom Egan and his older brother Clark. Tom, a private in the U.S. Army, sails for Italy and takes part in the landings at Salerno. Clark, also in Italy, serves in the OSS. The brothers’ experiences - Tom is wounded and Clark escapes death during a German air-raid - and differing viewpoints drive them apart, and their differences grow upon their return to America. The Side of the Angels is compelling for its warm, sensitive portrayal of the characters within the broader scope of the war. Author Robert McLaughlin (1908-1973) was a journalist and editor of Time magazine for more than 20 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In addition to writing three novels, he published numerous short stories. The Side of the Angels was his first novel.