Lest We Forget: War and Peace in 100 British Monuments

by Tessa Dunlop

A moving account of how war is remembered – and by whom'Impressive. A hundred individual histories, skillfully assembled, built into a poignant meditation on why they still matter' David Olusoga

'Brilliant' Piers Morgan

Bestselling historian Tessa Dunlop travels the length and breadth of the United Kingdom on a quest to uncover a story of national warring and national mourning, of fighting each other and of fighting together. Along the way, she summons a stellar cast of veterans, military experts and families of the fallen to reveal what our monuments and war heroes say about us, both then and now.

Why did Scotland take nearly 600 years to commemorate its most famous freedom fighter? When did Wellington become anti-Establishment? Who are the Glorious Dead? Can the Cenotaph stay above politics? And how do you commemorate contested, asymmetrical wars?

Through powerful veteran testimony from individuals such as Falklands hero Simon Weston and HRH The Duke of Kent, Tessa brings to life the pride and the pain of commemoration across these isles.

Lest We Forget, freedom is not free.

'In this wonderfully incisive, moving and timely book about commemoration, Dunlop breathes life into 100 British monuments – some famous, others less so – that together reveal our island story. A stunning achievement.' Saul David

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Tessa Dunlop is a television presenter, radio broadcaster and historian. She has presented history programmes on BBC1 London, BBC2, Discovery Europe, Channel 4, UKTV History and the History Channel (USA).

In 2005 Dunlop won a Royal Television Society award for her work on regional magazine show Inside Out West.

In 2007 Dunlop filmed Paranormal Egypt, a six-part series, with Derek Acorah on location in Egypt.

Dunlop read history at Oxford University, where she also won the Gertrude Easton Prize. Her articles have appeared in a number of British newspaper publications including The Guardian, The Independent, The Mail on Sunday and The Herald.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the look of this book, and what was more appropriate around the time of the VE day celebrations. The book takes us on a tour of 100 monuments and statues around the UK, with a chapter to each of them. I enjoyed reading about the ones I know (I'm from Reading, so the Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens, was always going to be a favourite for me) and wondering why I'd never seen others despite being in the areas where they were so many times. There were however an awful lot that I'd never heard of. Each of them had their own chapter to describe them, but I did find that some were better described than others, with some focussing more on the author's journey there rather than the monument itself. I also would have loved some photos within the book. There are some drawings throughout the pages, but I found myself having to go onto the internet to look up the monument so I could picture it as I read. It was a lovely idea to document these monuments in one book, and has given me the idea to start taking more photos of statues and monuments when I'm out and about. However, it lacked something which would have held my attention more.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good set of short essays contained within chapters about different forms and eras of commeration and memorialisation of British and commonwealth war dead. Tessa Dunlop deals with the subject matter with sensitivity and kindness whilst also highlighting the effect of past events on today's geopolitical outlook and conflicts. Well worth a read.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this to givee a few ideas on places to visit.I got none.
I was frustrated at the lack of photos and the constant attempts to link the monuments with the war in Gaza.
Totally pointless book.