my books

Contrary to popular belief there were many thousands of deserters during the First World War. This book looks at desertion on the home front, a previously neglected topic, revealing the scale of the phenomenon and looking at the reasons behind it.

(Pen & Sword, 2021) ISBN 978-1-52674-799-0

The first major account of the experiences of Britain's First World War widows. An insight into every aspect of bereavement and the struggle facing women to rebuild their lives in a country coming to terms with radical changes brought by war. 

(Pen & Sword, 2018) ISBN 978-1-47388-676-6

Procter Brothers Ltd. are a specialist machine guarding provider and can trace their history back to 1740. This book, a private commission by the firm, looks at their experiences over more than 250 years of manufacturing 'anything in wire' from mousetraps to machine guards and everything inbetween. 

(Procter Brothers Ltd., 2016) ISBN 978-1-5262-9559-6 

Lawnswood is the finest Victorian cemetery in Leeds. Through the memorials situated in its beautiful grounds, the story of a city's contribution to the war effort is told in this Heritage Lottery funded book. produced for the Friends of Lawnswood Cemetery. 

(Friends of Lawnswood Cemetery, 2015)

 I really enjoyed this book. Having already read a lot of books about the  First World War, this book was refreshing and a very enjoyable read, I  would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the war and social history. 

NetGalley, Gemma Allen

Overall, this book gives a fresh perspective on a further  sub-story from the Great War which has been somewhat ignored. It has  meticulously researched and no stone is left unturned by the author in  this important element of the Great War. The depth and breadth of  research is clear, and moreover the extent of coverage. 

Jon Sandison 

 For those interested in the ‘hearts and souls’ as much as the ‘blood  and guts’ of the Western Front and other theatres, this is a ‘must have’  book which I believe will soon establish itself as the leading academic  work on this subject.

Graham Woodall  - Western Front Association 

This is a fascinating and well written study and one we feel deserves  a wide readership. Too often we lose sight of the 'others' who suffer  through war and this book starts to redress the balance with just the  right tone. If you want to add one book to your bookshelf this Summer  which deals with an aspect of the war seldom, if ever, covered then let  it be this one.
 

A must-have book. 10/10

The Great War magazine, July 2018 

An in-depth study of the difficulties these  women faced, with some interesting first-hand accounts.
This is a well-written book that left me with the belief that these  brave women should be commended for their strength as they struggled to  survive in postwar Britain.

WDYTYA?, July 2018 - reader review by Nicola Metcale 

A well researched addition to the historiography of the Great  War - of particular interest to social historians - on an aspect of war  upon which few dwell on today.

Stand To! Journal of the Western Front Association