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Minds at War
Featuring over 250 poems by 80 poets, this is the largest and most comprehensive anthology of World War I poetry available. It includes: great classic poems of the war, the war's most popular and propagandist verse, war poetry of well-known fiction writers, women poets of the war, poetry exploring the common experiences of the war, extracts from diaries, personal letters and autobiographies of poets and contemporaries, historical and biographical background material, the role of poets in the war, and many photographs, drawings, maps and diagrams.
410 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 1996
11 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
David Roberts
6 books2 followersAbout David Roberts
David Roberts is a writer, publisher, and the editor of the war poetry website
BOOKS
MINDS AT WAR - The poetry and experience of the First World War.
OUT IN THE DARK - Poetry of the First World War in context and with basic notes.
KOSOVO WAR POETRY
FALKLANDS WAR POETRY
WE ARE THE DEAD - Poems and paintings from the Great War 1914-1918
REMEMBRANCE POEMS AND READINGS for Remembrance Events
THE EUROPEAN UNION AND YOU 2006
In more detail:
He edited two very successful anthologies of poetry of the First World War: Minds at War, The Poetry and Experience of the First World War (1996)
and Out in the Dark, Poetry of the First World War, in Context and with Basic Notes (1998). Both were published by Saxon Books and have been reprinted many times.
He wrote a collection of poetry, Kosovo War Poetry, published by Saxon Books in 2000.
He has published French poetry of the First World War, translated by Ian Higgins. French Poems of the Great War (an anthology) and Cockerels and Vultures (poems by Albert-Paul Granier).
For many years David Roberts has been interested in international relations and in particular is concerned with matters of war and peace, and the reform of the United Nations. For two years he was a member of the Executive Committee of Action for UN Renewal. He wrote a pamphlet for them, Lessons from Iraq, the UN must be Reformed (2004).
His book, The European Union and You (2007) is a weighty guide to the European Union, its origins, development, problems and potential. Published by Saxon Books it is now (2020) in some respects a little out of date. (600 pages.)
He has edited a volume of poetry by British, Argentine and Falkland Islands writers, Falklands War Poetry (2012). Saxon Books.
His 2012 book is a superbly produced anthology of First World War poetry, We Are The Dead, Poems and Paintings of the Great War, 1914-1918. Published by The Red Horse Press. The poetry is not just by British writers. This anthology breaks new ground by including poems by Irish, Australian, Canadian, French and German poets. On almost every page are war paintings of the period by war artists, many of which have been hidden in museum vaults for over 90 years, unseen by the general public.
OTHER INTERESTS
Other interests include economics, psychology, the organisation of societies, justice for criminals who start wars of aggression, banning nuclear weapons, justice for Palestinians, films, art, music, writing lyrics, gardening, swimming, walking, travel (especially in France), promoting the singing of his wife, Julie Roberts, and organising concerts for her, lazing in the sun, and dining with friends and family.
EARLIER CAREER
His earlier career has included working in industry (for 6 years) and a teacher (for 24 years).
When he was 17 he wrote a full-length play, The Last Days, which was performed by students of Sheffield University in 1965.
He wrote libretti for the cantata, New Creation, and the rock symphony, Chrysalis, with music by David Fellingham. These were performed in 1972 and 1973 at the Dome, Brighton
His lyrics, Infinity, and Making or Breaking (from Kosovo War Poetry) have been set to music by Norwegian composer, Kim Andre Arnesen. These were premiered by the Kantorei Choir, Denver Colorado. They can be heard on YouTube and purchased on a Naxos CD.
David Roberts was born in Spalding, Lincolnshire, UK, in November 1942 and lives with his wife in Sussex.
David Roberts is a writer, publisher, and the editor of the war poetry website
BOOKS
MINDS AT WAR - The poetry and experience of the First World War.
OUT IN THE DARK - Poetry of the First World War in context and with basic notes.
KOSOVO WAR POETRY
FALKLANDS WAR POETRY
WE ARE THE DEAD - Poems and paintings from the Great War 1914-1918
REMEMBRANCE POEMS AND READINGS for Remembrance Events
THE EUROPEAN UNION AND YOU 2006
In more detail:
He edited two very successful anthologies of poetry of the First World War: Minds at War, The Poetry and Experience of the First World War (1996)
and Out in the Dark, Poetry of the First World War, in Context and with Basic Notes (1998). Both were published by Saxon Books and have been reprinted many times.
He wrote a collection of poetry, Kosovo War Poetry, published by Saxon Books in 2000.
He has published French poetry of the First World War, translated by Ian Higgins. French Poems of the Great War (an anthology) and Cockerels and Vultures (poems by Albert-Paul Granier).
For many years David Roberts has been interested in international relations and in particular is concerned with matters of war and peace, and the reform of the United Nations. For two years he was a member of the Executive Committee of Action for UN Renewal. He wrote a pamphlet for them, Lessons from Iraq, the UN must be Reformed (2004).
His book, The European Union and You (2007) is a weighty guide to the European Union, its origins, development, problems and potential. Published by Saxon Books it is now (2020) in some respects a little out of date. (600 pages.)
He has edited a volume of poetry by British, Argentine and Falkland Islands writers, Falklands War Poetry (2012). Saxon Books.
His 2012 book is a superbly produced anthology of First World War poetry, We Are The Dead, Poems and Paintings of the Great War, 1914-1918. Published by The Red Horse Press. The poetry is not just by British writers. This anthology breaks new ground by including poems by Irish, Australian, Canadian, French and German poets. On almost every page are war paintings of the period by war artists, many of which have been hidden in museum vaults for over 90 years, unseen by the general public.
OTHER INTERESTS
Other interests include economics, psychology, the organisation of societies, justice for criminals who start wars of aggression, banning nuclear weapons, justice for Palestinians, films, art, music, writing lyrics, gardening, swimming, walking, travel (especially in France), promoting the singing of his wife, Julie Roberts, and organising concerts for her, lazing in the sun, and dining with friends and family.
EARLIER CAREER
His earlier career has included working in industry (for 6 years) and a teacher (for 24 years).
When he was 17 he wrote a full-length play, The Last Days, which was performed by students of Sheffield University in 1965.
He wrote libretti for the cantata, New Creation, and the rock symphony, Chrysalis, with music by David Fellingham. These were performed in 1972 and 1973 at the Dome, Brighton
His lyrics, Infinity, and Making or Breaking (from Kosovo War Poetry) have been set to music by Norwegian composer, Kim Andre Arnesen. These were premiered by the Kantorei Choir, Denver Colorado. They can be heard on YouTube and purchased on a Naxos CD.
David Roberts was born in Spalding, Lincolnshire, UK, in November 1942 and lives with his wife in Sussex.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 31, 2014
Quite simply a brilliant collection of poems and descriptions, and utterly essential for anyone with a heart, soul and mind.
March 26, 2008
So far it is enlightening to the horrors of war and the stupidity of man.
June 3, 2019
When I first took this book, I thought this book was only a collection of boring poems, however, I was wrong. Not only the poems of soldiers were interesting and thought-provoking, but it also had multiple perspectives and primary resources including images of propaganda posters and poems used to bring people into war. The power of words can be underestimated, as only the true masters of it, can move people. However, once those words attached to the reader's brain, it can create a connection, never to be set apart.
As from a subjective point of view, these poems drag you into those words and those 400 pages will seem as if a few pages and those long hours of reading will only be a few minutes. Also, because the book gives detailed explanations of the context of the poems, readers unfamiliar with the topic may still enjoy and touch the thoughts of the people during the time.
As from a subjective point of view, these poems drag you into those words and those 400 pages will seem as if a few pages and those long hours of reading will only be a few minutes. Also, because the book gives detailed explanations of the context of the poems, readers unfamiliar with the topic may still enjoy and touch the thoughts of the people during the time.
June 3, 2019
First of all, I am a big fan of poetry. Additionally, I love history. So, what can I say more? I felt like this book was released for me. I love history from World War I to II especially. Because I learned about it in history class, I was able to understand the emotion that each poetry had in this book. Most of them were related to Pathos. During World War I, soldiers went through severe mental illness after witnessing many deaths. I think those historical contents are related to this book "Minds at War".
July 23, 2016
I have read plenty of anthologies on War Poetry; with World War 1 being my favourite subject. The scale of tragedy and the pathos gives a greater depth to the poems, some of them from the trenches and by poets, a large number of whom, died in the carnage. Where this present volume stands out is that it covers issues from the causes of War right upto the final denouement. It becomes clearer why some poets wrote what they did. All the favourite poems are covered and some I had not read before, like Masefield's 'August 1914' and Muriel Stuart's 'Forgotten Dead, I Salute You,' which reminds me of our own soldiers who died and are forgotten. Sometimes reading these chapters gets too much and one either has to take a long break or take a deep sigh and tremulously carry on. As Wilfred Owen, the greatest poet produced by the War said, "All a poet can do today is warn. That is why the true Poets must be truthful." In this volume one also realises the sheer effectiveness of the propaganda initiated by the Government. Despite the horrific carnage, which was cleverly hidden, the youth were persuaded to enlist in large numbers to ultimately sacrifice themselves in the meat grinder (an average of 10000 killed per day). It is a pity that some of the greatest poetic/ literary names of the day were complicit in this with only George Bernard Shaw, a sane voice. A book recommended for every ones book shelf
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews