Empires of the dead : how one man's vision led to the creation of WW1's war graves

Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction. The extraordinary and forgotten story of the building of the World War One cemeteries, due to the efforts of one remarkable man, Fabian Ware. Before WWI, little provision was made for the burial of the war dead. Soldiers were often unceremoniously dumped in a mass grave; officers shipped home for burial. The great cemeteries of WWI came about as a result of the efforts of one inspired visionary. In 1914, Fabian Ware joined the Red Cross, working on the frontline in France. Horrified by the hasty burials, he recorded the identity and position of the graves. His work was officially recognised, with a Graves Registration Commission being set up. As reports of their work became public, the Commission was flooded with letters from grieving relatives around the world. Critically acclaimed author David Crane gives a profoundly moving account of the creation of the great citadels to the dead, which involved leading figures of the day, including Rudyard Kipling. It is the story of cynical politicking, as governments sought to justify the sacrifice, as well as the grief of nations, following the 'war to end all wars'.

Published to coincide with the film release of ‘The Great Gatsby’, Collins Classics brings you F. Scott Fitzgerald’s three best-known works in one collection.

Complete with a Life & Times section, which offers insight into the author, his works and the time of publication, and a handy glossary adapted from the Collins English Dictionary, this Collins Classics Collection will enhance your reading experience of the novels of one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century.

‘The Great Gatsby’ Considered one of the all-time great American works of fiction, Fitzgerald’s glorious yet ultimately tragic social satire on the Jazz Age encapsulates the exuberance, energy and decadence of an era.

‘The Beautiful and Damned’ Fitzgerald’s rich and detailed novel of the decadent Jazz Era follows the beautiful and vibrant Anthony Patch and his wife Gloria as they navigate the heady lifestyle of the young and wealthy in 1920s New York.

‘Tender is the Night’ Set on the French Riviera in the 1920s, this is Fitzgerald’s final novel. Young film star Rosemary Hoyt arrives in France and becomes entranced by the chic Dick Diver and his wife Nicole, and it is not long before she is attracted to the enigmatic Dick. However, he and his wife hold dark secrets and their marriage becomes more fractured as the plot unfolds.

Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction; the extraordinary and forgotten story behind the building of the First World War cemeteries, due to the efforts of one remarkable and visionary man, Fabian Ware. Before WWI, little provision was made for the burial of the war dead. Soldiers were often unceremoniously dumped in a mass grave; officers shipped home for burial. The great cemeteries of WWI came about as a result of the efforts of one inspired visionary. In 1914, Fabian Ware joined the Red Cross, working on the frontline in France. Horrified by the hasty burials, he recorded the identity and position of the graves. His work was officially recognised, with a Graves Registration Commission being set up. As reports of their work became public, the Commission was flooded with letters from grieving relatives around the world. Critically acclaimed author David Crane gives a profoundly moving account of the creation of the great citadels to the dead, which involved leading figures of the day, including Rudyard Kipling. It is the story of cynical politicking, as governments sought to justify the sacrifice, as well as the grief of nations, following the war to end all wars. Shortlisted For The Samuel Johnson Prize For Non-fiction; The Extraordinary And Forgotten Story Behind The Building Of The First World War Cemeteries, Due To The Efforts Of One Remarkable And Visionary Man, Fabian Ware. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1.the Making Of A Visionary -- 2.the Mobile Unit -- 3.with An Eye To The Future -- 4.consolidation -- 5.the Imperial War Graves Commission -- 6.kenyon -- 7.opposition -- 8.the Task -- 9.completion -- 10.keeping The Faith. David Crane. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 272-274) And Index.