Company K March, William

Walt stood up, slapped his thighs, and began to crow like a cock. 'Bring on the whole German army!' he shouted. 'Bring them on all together, or one at a time. I can whip them all!'

The greatest First World War novel to come out of America, Company K is the unforgettable account of one US Marine company, from initial training, through to the trenches in France and post-war rehabilitation.

Written in 1933 by a decorated Marine hero, this is an unflinching, visceral depiction of the brutal reality of war.

William March (1893-1954) was a writer and highly decorated US Marine. March volunteered in 1917, and was sent to France where he took part in every major engagement in which American troops were involved. Returning as a war hero, March suffered periods of depression and anxiety. His masterpiece, Company K, draws directly on his wartime experiences and was criticised when first published for its anti-war sentiment.