The Middle Parts of Fortune: Somme and Ancre, 1916 — Frederic Manning

Born in Australia, novelist and poet Frederic Manning moved to England in his youth and was an off-and-on presence there for much of his life. Spurred to defend his adopted homeland, Manning enlisted to serve in World War I. This fictionalized account of his experiences -- initially published anonymously -- offers a gripping look into the historical period and the implications of early twentieth century trench warfare.