It was commonplace to say that Australia 'came of age' as a nation in World War I.
In this book we see the impact on one family, with 4 brothers, 'somewhere in France'; on the church community as one by one the young men of the congregation enlist; on Wesley College, 'the school at war', and its proud tally of Old Boys killed.

In Australia the war produced strange beliefs, absurd actions, selfless sacrifice, stupid credulity, and vile hatred. It changed Australians' attitudes to almost everything: clothes, religion, drink, the Irish to name a few.

The author, Brian Lewis creates a brilliant kaleidoscope of the war years in Melbourne, using letters, songs and newspapers as well as his own vivid recollections.