In a series of four books based on war each with a different focus GS Willmott has extensively researched war histories and from them has created his stories This the fourth and most compelling recreates a multitude of experiences of the young men caught up in the frenzy and futility of World War 1 Sex and death eternal themes bind together these individual stories the shared experiences of love and death are the strong bonds which link these young Australian and British soldiers across France Egypt Flanders even Syria Their suffering is what makes us think deeply about ongoing conflicts which eternally destroy human lives and from which we seem to have learned nothing In Red Lights on the Somme Willmott unearths surprising and positive aspects of war mans inhumanity to man is counterpointed by mateship between soldiers tenderness between lovers and trust and interdependence between humans and animals The contrast between the nobility and loyaty of nonhumans including dogs pigeons horses forms a stark contrast against the brutality and treachery of mankindThis book tells the stories of young men far from home in the battle of their lives fighting ultimately for their survival Evocative gruelling and often brutal the book touches on most aspects of life as an infantryman on the western front and the harshness sadness and realities of life for those who participated in the First World War Historically accurate factual and graphic this well written book is a must read for anyone with an interest in Australians in World War One Christine McLeanMcIntyre