"Setting off for a "great adventure", New Zealand soldiers in the First World War found themselves in the midst of tragedy. The diaries and letters they wrote home vividly describe their experiences and feelings. These writings form an historical account of the Great War, but they are also highly individual stories of eight men whose lives change dramatically as they write. The reader is caught up in their hopes, loves and ambitions as they try to maintain their humanity amidst the flies and heat of Gallipoli, or the mud and slaughter of Flanders ... illustrated with superb photographs from soldier's albums ..." -- Back cover.