The War Poems of Siegfried Sassoon

I admit I am not one much for poetry, but ever since I read Martin Gilbert's THE FIRST WORLD WAR, which was replete with poetry written in the heat of battle, I've learned that verse is one of the most effective ways for a combat veteran to communicate the experiences of war. Siegfried Sassoon's aptly-titled WAR POEMS, compiled by Rupert Hart-Davis, is less a book of poetry than a guided tour through the muck, duckboards and barbed wire of No Man's Land.Sassoon was a paradox as a human being. A sensitive and cultivated man and a world-famous poet when still in his twenties, he was also a ferocious fighter on the battlefield, dubbed "Mad Jack" by his men and a holder of the prestigious Military Cross. Disenchanted by the wastage and slaughter he had experienced, in 1917 he wrote a denunciation of the war and was promptly shut up in an asylum in Craiglockhart, Britain, where he composed many of the poems that appear in this book. Later he returned to the front and was shot in the head, but survived and enjoyed a prolific and diverse writing career, somewhat annoyed (as Hart-Davis tells us) that he had gone down in history as a "war poet." Reading this book, however, it is easy to see why.Hart-Davis has arranged the 111 poems in chronological order, so that the reader can follow Sassoon's emotional journey from a naive young subaltern filled with a quasi-religious sense of mission (in 1915) to an embittered, half-delirious veteran driven to the edge of his sanity by relentless horror. And truly his poems run the range of emotions, from the mundanities of trench life ("A Working Party"; "In An Underground Dressing Station") to the moments before the ball went up ("Before the Batlle") to fury of combat itself ("Counter Attack") and its aftermath ("Died of Wounds"). Every aspect of the war is discussed, from war-fever to cowardice, from the bungling and incompetence of generals to the bluster of civilians back in England. Sometimes he's filled with rage and grief; other times with admiration and pathos (as with "Remorse", his paen to German prisoners run through with bayonets after an attack). But always there's the keen intelligence, the gift for words, the startling ability to convey image in just a few syllables, that mark the true genius-writer. See "The General:""Good morning, good morning" the general saidWhen we met him last week on our way to the lineNow the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em deadAnd we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine"He's a cheery old card," grunted Harry to JackAs they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.But he did for them both with his plan of attack.Of course quoting from the best of the WAR POEMS would fill 30 pages, so I'll leave you with the words of "Base Details."If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath,I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base,and speed young heroes up the line to death.You'd see my puffy petulant face,Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel,Reading the Roll of Honor, "Poor young chap."I'd say -- "I used to know his father well;Yes, we lost heavily in this last scrap."And when the war is done and youth stone dead,I'd toddle safely home and die -- in bed.

The clarity and sadness of the pictures he generated in his poetry. He was a courageous man who spoke our

great collection of WW1 poetry reflecting all aspects of the War.

How can I not give it 5 stars? This remarkable man's words transport you into hell on earth, giving you a close-up view of the horrors of war along with the reactions and emotions of their impact on those alongside who experience it. How many of us would just lose our minds faced with those horrors? Yet he maintains a level of sober sanity despite the madness, and writes some telling and sometimes beautiful words.

An excellent collection of thought-provoking poetry. I took off one star simply because of brevity.

From a man reaching out in a time when there was no one there to catch.

Reading Sassoon's war poems is a trying experience that sears the soul. If you ever thought being a soldier would be a glorious experience, these poems will disabuse you. But you will also be entranced - I think that is the right word - by the music of the language. Sassoon does not have the incredible rhythms of Kipling or Tennyson. His Poetry is more in keeping with post-expressionism, word pictures that stay with you for a long time. It is a little like seeing Picasso or Kandinski when you are used to Rembrandt or Turner.

Have always liked Sassoon's style as a war poet and its nice to have a volume of his selected war poems.

I read this as part of my English Literture work, but throughly enjoyed it on another level altogether. Sassoon's writing is like stepping into a hot shower, it is short, angry and to the point, but so close to the skin, so direct to the reader, that you can almost hear Sassoon behind the words. Aside of which, arguably my favourite war poem of all time, The General, is in this book, so I just had to have it.

At that . moment when war raged around him, Sassoon wrote poems which bring it close to us. A good opportunity to remindourselves of how ghastly it was. Along with the poems of Wilfrid Owen, we step briefly into the squelchy mud and horrific sights,breathe the gas and hope to survive...

This was a book I wanted to read for some time because over the years I have heard how this poet is held in high regard. I would recommend this book to those who like poetry and who have an interest in this tragic time in our history.

I bought this book for my friend. She has a son who served in Afghanistan and loved the book. Anyone who is interested in Military history should read these poems. I have read the poems myself. The words really capture how awful it was.

I could not stop reading and re-reading these poems. some with tears. I shall treasure this little book and pass it on to my children..