Petr Liddle je historik a autor, který se specializuje na studium první a druhé světové války. Svou rozsáhlou sbírku osobních vzpomínek a památek z první světové války začal shromažďovat, aby oživil historii pro své studenty. Tato sbírka, která se stala trvalým domovem na University of Leeds, představuje hluboký závazek oživit minulost prostřednictvím autentických svědectví.
"This book attempts to set out the contemporary evidence of participants in order to reveal that there was something unique about their service, perceived at the times as especial, and which in its separate elements has been recalled by many of them years later with something not far short of relish"--Page ix
Peter Liddle's latest book draws extensively upon diaries, letters, reports, photographs and drawing from the magnificent Liddle Collection of 1914-1918 personal experience material. It also sets out to examine the concept and planning the the Battle of the Somme and then its conduct over the whole four and a half months