This study covers the six-month Battle of the Somme, and includes much information that will be new to readers, and argues a new final judgement of the battle. An historian and illustrator for the Army with more than 20 years' experience in the ranks of the infantry, Mike Chappell presents its analysis on the 80th anniversary of the battle. The text is illustrated with many rare photographs and eight colour plates by the author.

Photographs by: Mike Chappell