'Jon Stallworthy writes with absolute authority about war literature from Aneirin to Owen and beyond. That historical reach is complemented by the precision of his close readings as he detects ancient ideas of chivalry at the Somme or the Battle of Britain. Stallworthy's passionate and authoritative survey deserves to become essential reading for anyone who cares to explore the No Man's Land where art and violence collide.' Tim Kendall, University of Exeter

'Conceived as 'thank-you letters' to 'absent friends', Survivors' Songs is suffused with the humanity, learning and beauties of insight that come from Jon Stallworthy's life-long engagement with the literature of war as critic, biographer and poet. Immensely subtle and moving, this book will carry forward to future generations the voices - Hardy, Yeats, Owen, Auden, to name a few - it celebrates and mourns so lyrically.' Santanu Das, Queen Mary, University of London

'The essays are all delightfully and cleverly written, and so I urge you quickly to go to your book shop, your library or your friend with a copy and read Survivors' Songs and let Jon Stallworthy sing to you.' Wilfred Owen Association Journal