What Are We Fighting For?

Starting from 1914, this new collection of poems explores individual as well as universal experiences of life, love, death and bereavement at times of personal and global unrest from the perspective of adults, children, soldiers and civilians.

The range and reach of these poems is both impressive and accessible and sure to arouse compassion, curiosity and discussion. The selection includes poems on the legend of the Angel of Mons; wartime propaganda regarding carrots; the rousing rhetoric of Winston Churchill; the distorted logic of a suicide bomber and disagreements in the playground.

In the one hundredth year since the outbreak of World War I, this outstanding collection captures the humanity, horror and even humour of events and experiences generated by conflict and will appeal to both young readers and adults.