The Soldier by Rupert Brooke (1915)
A beautiful and haunting poem written by one of Britain's greatest poets of the early 20 th century, it celebrates the heroic glory of a young soldier's death in defense of his nation. It captures the idealism and enthusiasm of the first months of the war.
Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen (1918)
A devastating poem written by a young poet, hardened by the gore and senselessness of the trench stalemate and horrific weapons used to murder a generation of European youth.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (1928)
One of the greatest anti-war novels, it describes the horrors of trench warfare from the perspective of a young German soldier. It could have been written by a veteran from either side of the war.
Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler (1928)
Written while he was in prison for the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler details his beliefs and his future plans including another war and a "final solution" to the Jewish question in Europe.