A brilliant and poignant history of the friendship between two great war poets, Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, alongside a narrative investigation of the origins of PTSD and the literary response to World War I.

The hydro --The war hospital -- Interpreting dreams -- A complete and glorious loaf -- Out of place -- A young huntsman -- The protest -- Poet by day, sick by night -- High summer -- Mentors and novices -- Who die as cattle -- The celestial surgeon -- A grand gesture -- Fight to the finish -- Love drove me to rebel -- Things might be worse -- A second chance -- Drastic changes were necessary -- Mad Jack returns -- The loathsome ending.