"In this collection of essays Brian Bond brings a lifetime's study of the Western Front to the analysis of some of the best-known memoirs of the campaign. Literary and military historians alike will find the result of great value for their own studies, while for the general reader it should help destroy many long-standing myths. It is a worthy climax to a long and distinguished career." Sir Michael Howard
This is a unique study of World War One memoirs from a historical perspective. It explores the tremendous effect that war experience had on writers' lives and how they came to terms with it after 1918, in deeply moving and often brilliant writing. As well as such famous literary figures as Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon, it includes historically significant writers such as Lord Reith, Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan. It challenges the view that memoir writers were in any clear sense 'anti-war'. While many were appalled by heavy losses and awful conditions they were, however, determined to achieve victory and proud of their regimental service and comrades. Above all, they constitute a brilliant source for understanding the war on the Western Front.