This book is part of the Hampshire Big Read. Join in as we encourage people to read, discuss and share a single title as part of our National Year of Reading 2008 celebrations.
Our chosen book is Michael Morpurgo's 'Private Peaceful', a stunning story told by young Thomas Peaceful as he looks back over his childhood from the battlefields of the First World War - with the harsh realisation that he is facing an unknown future. Powerful, moving, absorbing and atmospheric, appealing to readers aged 10 to 100 years.
Once you've read the book we'd also love to hear your thoughts at www.hants.gov.uk/year-of-reading. We hope that you read, review and release the book for more people to enjoy. Thank you for being part of the Hampshire Big Read.

Chance discovery when we visited Amesbury Museum to view Danebury Ring exhibition. Really pleased to find it. Wife and I both have read it. It is my first Morpurgo and I will look for others as I have known him only from BBC Radio4. Did not guess the true ending as my 2 ideas were wrong. Very poignant and reminiscent of the times and what it must have been like to be a child of that background. The story strikes a chord although I never experienced the sort of stupidity that lead to the end even though I served in the RN for 19 years.