This little-known account was first published in 1917 and has now been re-printed to Pen & Sword's usual high standards. At a little over 140 pages it's a slender account but a useful counter to memoirs of the time written by serving soldiers. Albert Rhys Williams was an American journalist, captured early on, and there are some quaint touches; timely reminders perhaps that in the early days of the war at least there were still those on both sides who believed in fair play and a man's word being as good as his bond. One of William's interrogators asks him, "Can you tell me on your word of honour that you are not a spy?" Williams gives his word and the German officer in turn promises to put in a good word for him. Such sense of innocence and fair play would later be enacted more publicly in the unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914.

Despite being published when Britain (and America) were still at war with Germany, this is a balanced account by ostensibly a neutral observer and there is a refreshing lack of jingoism. Germans are Germans rather than Huns and the gangrene is not war but the hatred which fills people's hearts and makes "the heart-breaking task of reconciliation well-nigh impossible".

Paul Nixon, Amazon reviewer