'This is the only book from the Second World War comparable with the first-war narratives of Sassoon, Blunden or Graves . . . When the battle of El Alamein began, the poet Keith Douglas was in Cairo with Divisional HQ. Eager not to miss the action, he took a truck and, against orders, drove to re-join his regiment. He served as a tank commander throughout the whole of the allied advance across North Africa, and Alamein to Zem Zem (1946) is his story. Boyishness and inexperience give it flash-bulb immediacy . . . Scenes of unforgettable pity and terror unfold . . . Everything, from flowers carpeting the desert in winter to vanquished enemies, is seen with a poet's eye and the generosity of youth.' John Carey, Guardian This Faber Finds edition of Keith Douglas's classic work - originally published two years after his death in Normandy in 1944 - includes a new preface by the novelist Richard Skinner.

By the time he was killed in Normandy, aged only twenty-four, in June 1944, Keith Douglas had achieved a body of work that has earned him the reputation as the most brilliant and promising poet of the Second World War. He began writing when he was at school at Christ's Hospital, continued at Oxford, and then when he was in the army in England and in the Middle East. This is the definitive edition of his poems, edited by Desmond Graham, Douglas's biographer, and introduced by Ted Hughes.

In this series, a contemporary poet selects and introduces a poet of the past. By their choice of poems and by the personal and critical reactions they express in their prefaces, the editors offer insights into their own work as well as providing an accessible and passionate introduction to the most important poets in our literature. Keith Douglas (1920-1944) began writing when he was at school at Christ's Hospital School, London, continued at Oxford, and thereafter in the army and in the Middle East. By the time he was killed in Normandy, aged only twenty-four, in June 1944, he had achieved a body of work that singled him out as the most brilliant and promising English poet of the Second World War. The present pioneering selection of Keith Douglas's work, by Ted Hughes, was first published in 1964.

"Snions, Stiraffes and Frish... Hooray Gonzo Finds Fairview Valley" is a whimsical story with a diversity and anti-bullying theme and message. A beloved pet dog named Gonzo embarks on a journey to find an unsuspected friend who had been sent away from his home and family. On his travels Gonzo happens upon Fairview Valley where he meets many wondrous creatures of the forest who help him find his friend while educating him about celebrating each other's unique differences. Young readers will learn the importance of kindness (Civility) and helping others in need (Cooperation) while embarking on the journey with Gonzo and his new found friends. This is a wonderful story for parents to read to their little ones, and for teachers to share with their classrooms. Perfect for ages from newborn to 12 years, yet readers of all ages will find the message to be a valuable one There is a Lesson Plan available for parents and teachers to use this book as a tool for educating young readers about the importance of diversity, cooperation and anti-bullying discussions. If you have purchased Volume 1 of the book and would like to receive a copy of the Lesson Plan, please contact the authors via their website to have a copy sent to you electronically.

Keith Douglas enlisted when World War II began, to fight and to try to make sense of history from within its turbulence. Like the major poets of World War I, his art was tried and tempered, and then curtailed. His letters tell the story of a man fully engaged by his art, his times and his loves.