The First World War

The Great War was the first in British history to involve virtually the entire population of Britain. A vast quantity of poems, fiction, essays, speeches, letters, memoirs and other written material was produced during 1914 and 1918 and Hibberd chooses both famous passages and excerpts which have never before been reprinted, from both the imaginative poetry and prose of the period, and documents such as newspapers and politicians' speeches. The linking commentary illuminates the very close relationship between the literature and history of this time, which is further highlighted by the chronological table, plates section and further reading sections.