101 Amazing Facts

In Westminster Abbey at Poet's Corner sixteen Great War Poets are commemorated on a slate stone. The inscription on the stone is taken from Wilfred Owen's 'Preface' to his poems and reads 'My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.' Of the sixteen poets commemorated, six of them died during active service in the First World War, and ten of them survived the war, many of them living to old age. All sixteen of these officers and soldiers that served in that terrible war whom are commemorated at Poet's Corner wrote remarkable poetry that told of the horrors of the war, the comradeship of the men serving and their gallantry, as well as the foolhardiness of many of the decisions of the top brass. Many of the poems written have produced literature of the highest order and reveal how men during such carnage are capable of creating such beautiful poetry. 101 Amazing Facts about the Great War introduces the reader to these poets, covering their lives, their poetry and features some of their most influential quotes. Whether you are interested in poetry or history, this excellent guide containing over one hundred facts is a perfect addition to your bookshelf.

Dylan Thomas is a much-loved Welsh poet, well known for creating the wonderful radio drama Under Milk Wood; initially commissioned for BBC Radio, it was subsequently performed in theatres both nationally and internationally and has been revived on multiple occasions. But did you know that Thomas also wrote the screenplay for a horror film about Burke and Hare, the Edinburgh graverobbers and murderers? And that he wrote no fewer than six film documentaries during the Second World War for the Ministry of Information? Or that in the early 1950s he went to Iran to work on a film for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, also touring the USA giving poetry readings to audiences of well into four figures? Thomas was a heavy boozer and died in Manhattan in 1953, having been drinking at the White Horse Tavern in Greenwich Village. He was only 39 years old, yet his legacy lives on to this day through his wonderful poetry, stories, scripts of BBC broadcasts, and of course Under Milk Wood, still regularly performed by renowned actors.