The Oxford Handbook Of British And Irish War Po... Apr 2026

Coverage starts with Victorian "fighting talk" and moves through the defining works of the Great War (Wilfred Owen, Isaac Rosenberg), the Spanish Civil War (W.H. Auden), and the Second World War (Louis MacNeice, Keith Douglas).

Critics have praised the handbook as a "large and rich achievement" that serves both as a masterclass for non-specialists and a deep well of debate for scholars. The Oxford Handbook of British and Irish War Po...

Beyond history, it tackles philosophical questions, such as the "poetry in the pity" and the internal tension between the destructive nature of war and the creative act of writing. Critical Reception Coverage starts with Victorian "fighting talk" and moves

The Oxford Handbook of British and Irish War Poetry , edited by Tim Kendall, is an exhaustive and definitive scholarly resource that mapping the evolution of war poetry from the Victorian era through the Northern Irish "Troubles". Spanning over 700 pages, it features 37 chapters written by leading global critics, providing a comprehensive survey of 20th-century conflict and its literary echoes. Key Features and Structure Beyond history, it tackles philosophical questions, such as

It specifically highlights Scottish, Welsh, and Irish contributions, including an in-depth exploration of how Northern Irish poets like Seamus Heaney and Paul Muldoon navigated "The Troubles".