This is an invaluable book, both for the insights it gives into the attitude and experiences of the British Tommy on the Western Front, and for the impact it had on later authors – this type of book is fairly common now, but not when this book was first published.

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History of War

The authors brings in the experience of soldier’s when they went into the line, and detail on how fear various between the men, and the experience of shell shock, and the hopes some had for a ‘cushy blighty’, soldier standing orders and more humorous ones such as ‘it is considered very unlucky to be killed on a Friday’.

Throughout are ordinary soldiers unpublished letter and diaries, oral testimonies.

Jon Sandison, Freelance

Well and elegantly written, this book, for all that some of the judgements are slightly dated, presents a subtle but comprehensive challenge to all the lazy narratives which have grown up around the First World War and I highly recommend it.

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Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

Packed with superb material & excellent text from Malcolm & a new intro by @ProfGSheffield - recommended.

Paul Reed via Twitter