Author Description

'This book is not about heroes. English Poetry is not yet fit to speak of them. Nor is it about deeds or lands, nor anything about glory, honour, dominion or power, except War. Above all, this book is not concerned with Poetry. The subject of it is War, and the pity of War.' These words from Owen's own preface have become almost as famous as the poems in this edition - poems which are the best war poems ever written in English: realistic and horrific, but full of pity, compassion and deep humanity in the face of overwhelming suffering and horrific sacrifice.