We Will Not Fight by Will Ellsworth-Jones

The Great War's conscientious objectors, or "conchies", are the subject of journalist Will Ellsworth-Jones's first book.

Those who fought risked their lives for their principles. But those who refused to participate as combatants on religious, moral or ethical grounds believed they, too, would be killed for theirs.

Ellsworth-Jones focuses on three Yorkshire brothers, two who fought and one, a law-abiding, religious man, who refused. But what is most harrowing is the story of the women who waved white feathers, to humiliate them, at those men who weren't on the battlefields.

This penetrating book about meaningless massacre fleshes out Kipling's unforgettable verse: "If any question why we died,/Tell them, because our fathers lied."

Synopsis by Foyles.co.uk

In June 1916 Philip Brocklesby, a young second lieutenant just arrived in Boulogne, slipped away from his regiment in a desperate attempt to see his brother who had been imprisoned nearby. But it wasn't the enemy who were holding Bert, but his own army. Bert, along with 34 other conscientious objectors, had been court marshalled for refusing to fight, and was waiting to hear if he would be sentenced to death. The meeting was happy and affectionate, but then both brothers knew it may be their last.Through the amazing story of the Brocklesby family, Will Ellsworth-Jones explores the history of conscientious objection in World War I, charting the experiences of the men who took a stand despite being stigmatised, vilified and facing death. This amazing book also considers the men's lasting legacy. Without the courage of men such as Bert who were prepared to die for their beliefs, we wouldn't have the freedom to voice our beliefs and protest at our government's involvement in conflict. At the end of this touching book, the reader will ask themselves whether they would have had the courage to fight in the trenches, but more importantly whether they would have had the courage not to fight. Packed with unpublished letters, diaries, memoir extracts and oral interviews, "We Will Not Fight" is a fascinating look at conscientious objection in WWI, and its legacy.This book explores Conscientious Objection in WWI through an extraordinary personal story of two British brothers - one who was prepared to die fighting; the other who was prepared to die refusing to fight. It offers a well-researched and intensely moving history full of unpublished diaries, letters, trial notes and memoir extracts. Richard Holmes' "Tommy" sold 35,000 HBs & 50,000 PBs, while Max Arthur's, "Forgotton Voices" sold 125,000 PBs. This book offers a unique perspective on an ever popular period of history, especially in light of recent protest over Iraq. It is ideal for review and media coverage.