Private Peaceful

Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL is a writer, playwright, performer and librettist. The author of more than 150 children’s books, he has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and in almost 40 languages. A former teacher and vocal spokesperson for the benefits of reading for pleasure, he is currently the President of Book Trust. Between 2003–2005 he was Children’s Laureate and in 2018 he was knighted for services to literature and charity. Many of Michael’s books have been adapted for stage and screen, including the phenomenal National Theatre adaptation of War Horse, which has been seen by over 10 million people in over 100 cities around the world, broke the West End record for weekly ticket sales, and won 5 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards. Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.

‘A deeply moving portrayal of camaraderie and courage, innocence and brutality’ Telegraph‘[Tommo’s] journey from agricultural labourer to cannon fodder is movingly told . . . Morpurgo is expert at getting through to his readers. He writes here about events that should never be forgotten nor forgiven, and does so most effectively’ Independent‘Full of warmth as well as grief, conveying vividly how precious it is to be alive’ Sunday Times‘The best novel he’s written since The Butterfly Lion’ The Times‘Deserved to last as an insight into the First World War in the same way as, say, The Silver Sword or Goodnight Mr Tom’ Telegraph‘A poignant, elegiac novel’ Daily Mail