This work investigates the lived reality and psychological impact of the First World War on Australian soldiers through the lens of their own personal accounts. Bill Gammage, a respected historian, synthesizes the diaries and letters of over 1,000 service members to construct a comprehensive narrative. The book argues that the war fundamentally altered the national identity and social ideals of Australia by examining the intersection of global geopolitical conflict and individual experience.

Historians and scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the Australian experience in the Great War. Readers often note the density of the primary source material, which provides a raw and unfiltered look at the conflict.