One of the many strengths of this book is that, on the one hand, it provides a summary of the experience of each of these men, but also helpful how it fitted into the wider experience of war. It is a valuable addition to the wider story of the Great War.

Jon Sandison - Freelance

All in all a really enthralling book and, as he is now in his eighties, Tony Geraghty is to be congratulated.

Lucy London, War Poets

The writing is entertaining, littered with odd facts and observations and offering a different and interesting take on the Western Front experience.

Stand To! Journal of the Western Front Association

A highly readable book that looks at the First World War from an unusual perspective.

The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society

So what does this book reveal about these exceptional talents? Firstly,one is struck by the variety of backgrounds and motivations. Whilst many were inspired by romantic ideals of war and death, the life experiences that took them into the trenches were many and varied.
Secondly, in examining the circumstances in which they served and, in some cases - were killed, one is struck by the randomness and the
brutality. Clearly bullets, bombs and bayonets did not discriminate between those who had exceptional talent and those who did not.
Finally, creative output aside, this reviewer was given cause to reflect that, in other aspects, these are twelve individual stories just like the stories of the other 5.6 million service personnel who served with the British forces in the First World war – each forged by a common experience but every one unique.

Read the complete review here.

Phil Curme

BOOK OF THE MONTH (January 2018)

Spartacus Educational