In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae

by Linda Granfield, Janet Wilson (Illustrator), John McCrae

Presents the context for the writing of the famous poem by the Canadian medical officer who attended injured soldiers in Flanders during the First World War

Genres: Poetry, History, Picture Books, War, Nonfiction, World War I, Childrens

Hardcover

First published December 8, 1915

Reviews

[Jonathan Terrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a disclaimer like a few books I have on my shelves, I have not read this particular edition but it seems the best to use to write the review I wish to.

Today is ANZAC Day in Australia. This is, for those without any Australian background knowledge, the day when we celebrate our Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in the World Wars and in more modern wars. We celebrate their courage and we celebrate their loss so that we currently possess what we have gained.

War is not something that has ever touched me personally. I'm not naive enough to suggest that I could ever gain a true insight into war without being touched by it in some way. But what I have seen informs me that war is one of the great tragedies of humanity. One of those times where no one wins out. And yet there are heroic deeds done by individuals, which is something many poets and authors touch upon in their work.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

There is another poem, The Ode to Remembrance, often read here on ANZAC Day. A final line is added to conclude this poem, Lest We Forget. I find this one of the most poetic lines I've heard. It both marks and comments on the fact that poems like In Flanders Fields reflect that those who die in wars nobly become immortalised, that they have exhibited the spirit of their nation in their patriotism. And yet there is a sense of caution: let us learn from those who now sleep in Flanders fields and across the world as a result of war.

Lest we forget. One of the most potent of all cautions against the repetition of history.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae is a children's picture book written by Linda Granfield and illustrated by Janet Wilson. It is a book about the circumstance of the day in which John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields" with a short history of the First World War and a brief biography about John McCrae. As today is Remembrance Day (11 November), I thought reading this book would be apropos.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD was a Canadian poet, physician, author, artist and soldier during World War I, and a surgeon during the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium. He is best known for writing the famous war memorial poem "In Flanders Fields".

Granfield's text is simplistic and straightforward. It captured the circumstance around the famous poem's creation as well as the life of the battlefront during the First World War. Included is the full poem that was penned by John McCrae – "In Flanders Fields". Wilson's illustrations are phenomenally done and represented the text extremely rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It retells the story about John McCrae and the circumstance on how he penned one of the most famous war poems ever. It also serves as a brief history of the First World War as well as a mini-biography of John McCrae.

All in all, In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae is a wonderful children's book that gives a wonderful insight on John McCrae, his poem, and the First World War.

[B. P. Rinehart · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I will be reviewing this poem from out of my anthology book One Hundred and One Famous Poems: With a Prose Supplement.)

This poem is a brief three stanza poem written during the first world war by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. This poem was written as a dedication to a friend of McCrae's that died during the Second Battle of Ypres. This poem has become one of the most influential poems of WWI and the [British] Commonwealth countries.

The poem had almost been thrown away but after it was published it would be used as a rallying tool for the Allied Powers. The most famous part of the poem is in the first stanza:

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below."

This stanza inspired the "Remembrance poppies". Most in the USA would not recognize the flower (despite the fact that it was an American that started the use of Poppies to commemorate the war dead) but in the Commonwealth it has become a very visible symbol of war and memorial.

"We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields."

Like most war poems, it does meditate on the mortality of war and death, but as you can see it is brief. This poem was written early during the war and the true horrors that would define it had not been totally grasp. That is one of the characteristics of many poems written up to this point is the very post-Enlightenment, pro-war message.

"Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

This part would be used as an official propaganda piece for the war effort and one understands why.

This poem would be a massively popular poem during and after the war.
Many of the writers featured in One Hundred and One Famous Poems: With a Prose Supplement fought in WWI and almost all of them died. It is staggering how many of the most talented writers of that generation fought and dies in WWI. As famous as the poem is it is not the best poem to come out of WWI (many think that honor goes to Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum est which describes in graphic detail what a toxic gas attack was like (this was the first 20th century war to use biological weapons) and which I may someday review myself) but again it is one of the most famous and simplest-which may explain how it gets snubbed more in modern times.

McCrae himself died of pneumonia on Jan 28 1918 in France.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember purchasing this for the branch when it first came out. One of my more memorable reference questions was an older gentleman who wanted to read a copy of this poem. I had to look it up in Grangers before I was able to find a copy in the library for the gentleman who was really happy about it. Grangers....pre internet way of finding poetry. I recognized the poem since my mother, born in Canada in 1917, a hundred years ago, had recited the poem on occasion and told me how there was a really large plaque in her high school honoring those graduates and teachers who had volunteered for WWI and paid the ultimate price. Americans may not know what a heavy number of Canadian lives were lost in World War One but it was immense. My mother remembered hearing her elders talk about family who had fallen in World War One. I met a distant relative in the 1970s, living in a rented garage as I recall, in Washington state, who was blinded in World War One. In short, World War One , the War to end all wars, was not all that long ago. I thought of this book and wanted memorize the poem, after reading a historical fiction for middle graders called Five Children on the Western Front that was excellent. I need to recite the poem a few more times in hopes that it stays in my memory but the story was fascinating. It told how McCrae was too old to be drafted but volunteered anyway and worked as a doctor on the front lines of the war. There is some dispute about precisely where and when he wrote the poem but all agree it was triggered by the death of a friend who died in the fighting. The poem swept the world. Canada used a few lines to sell Victory bonds and raised an enormous about to fund the war. Tragically, McCrae himself did not survive the war, falling ill and dying of pneumonia. Considerably more died of infectious disease than of bullets in the war.
This edition is highly recommended. It gives the well researched background interspersed among the illustrated verses of the poem which is very effective. Librarians can pull it out during April, poetry month. Usually bright happy things are pulled out. Some kids might appreciate some more realistic poetry. Of course, it can be pulled out for history units, particularly this year, when the United States entered World War One.

The United States, especially, has a disregard of history. Other countries still honor this poem and wear poppies in honor of this poem and children are taught it. My system has a whopping two copies left. Of course I'm sure the poem is available in other editions and in collections. However, this one was meant specifically for children. This shows the beauty of life amid the horrors of war and ultimately how precious each life is. That is an important lesson for children, particularly amid concern for their mental health amid the pandemic of Covid-19. Recite this poem on November 11.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

'In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row by row...."

John McCrae was a Canadian medical officer attending the injuries of literally hundreds of wounded soldiers after the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915. It was when a close friend was killed and quickly buried that McCrae wrote the inspired 'In Flanders Fields'.

The actual book is broken up between short bits of history about McCrae and the impact of his poem on memorials to those who served and full page gorgeous illustrations for each line of the poem itself.

So this book answers the questions why we wear poppies on November 11th - be they of silk, paper, felt, plastic or even the ceramic poppies in the magnificent display 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' at the Tower of London. It doesn't matter if you call it Veterans Day, Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, wear a poppy and remember those who have served and sacrificed.

2019-154

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent glimpse of history. It was heart wrenching, but really worth reading.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part ode to great literature, part biography of John McCrae, and part World War 1 primer, Linda Granfield's "In Flanders Fields" sets out to weave together several stories into one. Pages full of text are alternated with full page illustrations that feature lines of John McCrae's famous poem at the bottom.

The book opens with a moving and insightful introduction by Canadian War Museum historian, Tim Cook, followed by a handwritten illustration of "In Flander's Fields" which is decipherable, but not entirely clear.

Page 1 is block text, with pages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 featuring the poem lines only with illustration. This back and forth style continues throughout the book and is thoroughly distracting. I would have preferred the illustrated content of the poem in it's entirety either before or after the narrative. While these vibrant illustrations are engaging for younger students, the block text pages, even though broken by period drawings, advertisements and photographs, are a bit too cumbersome.

The narrative is well done, giving us a feel for McCrae and the war. McCrae's death is also covered. The only time it falters is when trying to make sense of the poem in juxtaposition to the modern nihilism born from the war experience. McCrae and others of his time advocated service for God, King and Country in a way that is distinctly dated for today's teachers and students. Granfield struggles with this tension in trying to honor McCrae's literary contribution while encouraging the modernist idea that we all want peace and can solve the world's conflicts apart from the destruction of war. In trying to hold these two ideas in tension, Granfield ends up trivializing both McCrae's ultimate sacrifice of his life, as well as the enduring poem that connected millions to him through their shared World War One experience.

With a few adjustments, teachers can enjoy the otherwise strong narrative, artistic embellishment, and back story of McCrae's famous work, "In Flanders Fields."

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first page of text tells about the circumstances of the day in which John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields." The next four pages are pretty illustrations and the lines of the poem's text. Then there's a two page spread about the history of WWI and the life of John McCrae. The next page is about Ypres and the life of a soldier there. The next four pages are the lines from the second stanza of the poem - "We are the Dead. Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow..."

The next two pages are about the publication of the poem and the public response. The next spread tells about trenches, combat, artillery, and common sicknesses during the war. The next few pages includes illustrations and half of the last stanza of the poem: "The torch; be yours to hold it high..."

Then there is a pages about John McCrae treating injured soldiers, how the rest of the war played out for him, and his death in 1918. The next page is about the end of the war and the U.S. joining, the way the war was memorialized, and implications of McCrae's call to battle at the end of the poem. Two more pages with illustrations show the last three lines of the poem.

The last two pages of text are about the history of the scarlet corn poppy and it's use as a memorial after WWI. This is not for young children because of the large blocks of text but is good for grades 4-12 and adults.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. What a beautiful book… I wasn’t too much a fan of the artwork (not my style) but I loved how it was paired with the poem. I was delighted to find that between the poem’s lines was sandwiched McCrae’s biography—more information than I’ve ever had on him, and very well-written. The book brought the First World War, John McCrae, and In Flanders Fields to life in a beautiful, poignant way that brought tears to my eyes and gave me much to think of.

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great introduction to the poem and to WWI for kids.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and history breaks throughout explaining the poems meaning and significance in history.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Context and the history of the famous WWI poem by a Canadian doctor who didn't survive the war.

[Tina(I can only make 10 comments! Man!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal 2025 Challenge: 10 Popular Canadian Books🇨🇦
Book #7

On this Remembrance Day what is more Canadian than Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was a soldier for the Canadian Army during WWI serving as a surgeon during the second Battle of Ypres. He famously wrote the poem, "In Flanders Fields" that still today is recited at every Remembrance Day Service in Canada. It is also a poem that is very popular worldwide and especially in the Commonwealth countries. The references to the red poppies in the poem (that grew over the graves of the fallen soldiers) led to the tradition of wearing a poppy on Remembrance Day.

This children's picture book was originally published in 1995. In recent years it's been given a beautiful new cover. Alongside the poignant poem are gorgeous bright and colourful paintings to help tell the story. Also included is the actual story of the poem and War told simply for children. This is a wonderful tool for classrooms and for parents who would like to teach children about the sacrifices others made for our freedom. Included also is a small biography of John McCrae.

The book ends very simply with the traditional saying. "Lest We Forget." May we never 🌺

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t love the format (a couple of pages of the poem illustrated interspersed with two pages of a lot of text) but the girls stayed interested and we all learned new things.

[Esopion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that touched my heart! The illustrations and paintings are amazing, so moving!

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Read aloud to the 10yo as part of our history curriculum.

This is a book I've read several times. I've read the entire book to myself and aloud to each of my children plus I've read the poem from the book numerous times. This is not really a book about World War 1, or the Great War as it lets children know it was once called. Plenty of information about the war is imparted but that is through the telling of the story of Lt. Col. John McCrae, Canadian soldier and poet, how he came to write the poem "In Flanders Fields" and the impact that poem had on the people at the time as well as its lasting effect.

Textually, the book starts with a copy of the poem written in McCrae's own hand. Then there is a very brief set up for WWI, and a brief background on John McCrae before he was in Flanders. It then goes on to describe in detail the conditions of war at Flanders and McCrae is quoted from his own letters. We are given the story, well the two variations, of how and why John wrote the poem and the public's immediate overwhelming response to its heartfelt message. Then how the imagery of poppies became incorporated into war posters, advertisements for Victory Bonds and quotes from "In Flanders Fields" were used as taglines to inspire people. We get a good look at McCrae's war life as a surgeon and how he lived out his life, eventually dying on the front lines of pneumonia. But the message of the poppy didn't end with Lt. Col. John McCrae's death nor the end of WWI, it became a symbol of remembrance of those who have fallen in wars to fight for our freedom and the custom of wearing a poppy, which started during McCrae's life, is still followed today in many countries throughout the world as they honour a national day of Remembrance on November 11th.

Visually, the text pages are illustrated with a few drawings, photographs, postcards, and artifacts such as medals. But the true impact of this book comes from the beautiful yet haunting paintings of Janet Wilson which illustrate the poem a few lines at a time. In between the text pages every so often the poem is slowly told a few lines at a time using a two page spread entirely filled with the painting while the words are written along the bottom of the page. These paintings truly bring the poem's meaning forward to anyone who looks at them. Words and picture combine to tell the haunting, powerful cry of the poem. One cannot read the poem along with these paintings and not feel this poem in their gut, perhaps have their voice crack; it gets to me every time.

While I certainly love this book as a whole I would recommend it solely for the illustrated version of the poem alone.

[Carrie-Anne O'Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerfully illustrated book to teach children of the brave sacrifices made by soldiers the world over during World War I or "The Great War." It uses the timeless poetry of John McCrae to do so.
As an American police officer and the wife of an Iraqi Freedom Veteran I have a deep seeded respect for all soldiers whether they're American or not. Obviously, I view law enforcement in this vein as well. However, we are taught very little about the heroics of soldiers in other countries. This is the beginning of rectifying that oversight.
My sons have asked me many times, "Why do the veterans give us these red flowers when we give them money?" I am ashamed to say that until I read this children's book, I had no clue and kept forgetting to look it up. In addition to the explanation for the poppies this book also introduced me to the "soldier" John McCrae. What an incredible man! Canada is rightfully proud of their lost son.
I highly recommend this book to every grade school teachers, history conscience parent or inquisitive youngster. As I said, it's beautifully illustrated and very easy to understand. A masterpiece to be passed down through the generations!


I won this 100th anniversary edition through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

McCrae's classic poem illustrates the futility of war while Janet Wilson's lovely paintings clearly show the paradox of nature's beauty against man's wanton destruction. Each time I read this book two quote keep coming to my mind. The first is excerpted from a soliloquy by Shaw's Devil and the second is from a Peter Paul and Mary recording:

I tell you that in the arts of life, man invents nothing: but in the arts of death, he outdoes Nature herself, and produces by chemistry and machinery all the slaughter of plague, pestilence, and famine.... In the arts of peace, Man is a bungler... his heart is in his weapons (George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman, Act III. pp. 142-143, 1903.).

How many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?...
How many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind (Bob Dylan, "Blowin' in the Wind," Special Rider Music, 1962.).

Despite the tenets of peace, love and forgiveness in most major religions, so many revel in violence and destruction. Share this book with children in hopes that they will learn its lesson before it's too late.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably best as a class lesson book for primary school teachers who can go through explaining WW1, recite the poem and discuss. It is a potted description of the day-to-day of WW1, how it is remembered and of course, of McCrae, using “In Flanders Fields” as the start.
Pictures are put next to each line on each page. But tranches of information about the war/ McCrae are put in between the lines so the poem is broken up. It should have been put all at the beginning or end of the poem. The poem in its entirety is at the beginning though.
The poem is the poem. It is special, though definitely an early poem of the war. The later ones were less enthusiastic about continuing it.
I did not know John McCrae was Canadian. Or if I had been told before, I forgot. He sounds like an admirable sort. A bit of a renaissance man, including personality wise perhaps.
Interesting that Remembrance Day poppies originated in the US. But now it is continued in Commonwealth countries(I’m not sure if all). The paper/ plastic ones are made mechanically.

Btw: Does anyone know what “They are slaves who will not dare / all wrongs to right, all rights to share” is from? I assume it was about abolishing slavery but I can’t place who said/ wrote it/ its origin.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my children a while ago, but after reading the other reviews I felt I needed to add my two sense worth. Growing up in Ontario The poem" In Flanders Fields" is taught every Remembrance day. My children who are 6, 8 and 10 all have it memorized. This book is meant to be read by those who already know the poem. It is not a good choice for reading the poem itself. It is instead meant to add a historical context to a poem that the author has assumed the reader is already familiar with. If this is your first exposure to the poem I would highly recommend you find a more readable source, because it is interrupted with historical facts in this book.
If you are reading this book with the intention of deepening your understanding of WWI and what John MaCrae was experiencing as he wrote his poem than this book is perfect for you. The art work is beautiful and the historic facts great. It is wonderful to read to children, but I learned a lot too. It gave me a deeper respect for the poem and a better understanding of how heart wrenching it truly is when I understand the emotions of the man who wrote it.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaking my head at the library's decision to discard again. Wow. This was so well done. I learned the following stuff from this book that I should have learned in either public school or college:

* About the origins of the poem "In Flanders Fields" (to which I hadn't even been exposed; can you believe it?) and its impact.
* About poppies and their connection to WWI (NEVER KNEW)
* An important date to remember...why don't we remember?
* Everyday issues of a soldier in WWI
* Warfare stuff I cared little about, but think is interesting now that I've learned it.

I feel that this is really important history, a matter of cultural literacy at the very least, and I feel compelled to pass this along.
This stunningly illustrated and well-written book ends with "Lest we forget." Man...we really did forget. Mission accomplished McCrae, Granfield, and Wilson. Fortunately, I predict that this is just right for my jr. high kids, so the message won't end here. Thank you.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book except the layout, which was terrible. That being said it only went from being a 5 star book to a 4. John McCrae was a field doctor trained in combat, during World War 1. Daily witnessing loss of life moved him to pen a touching poem that personified the respect all should have for the soldiers who gave their lives. In Flounders Field, named after McCrae’s famous poem, not only did the illustrator do a beautiful job of bringing this poem to life, the author added several pages of information on John McCrae and the War to End all Wars. Sadly the author, publisher, whoever decided it would best to split up the poem with the pages of non-fiction information, which greatly took away from the flow and feel of the poem. Afterward I re-read just the poem pages and enjoyed it even more after reading some of the back story in the non-fiction pages.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granfield, L. (1995). In flanders fields: The story of the poem by John McCrae. Toronto, ON: Stoddart Kids, Stoddart Publishing Co. Ltd.

Rich, deep colored paintings illustrate McCrae’s famous poem, interspersed with double page spreads of text about the illustrious author and surgeon’s life.

This book works as a simple picture book for primary students by reading through the text of the poem at the bottom of the illustration; it also functions as information copy for intermediate students with generous, well-researched text dispersed throughout the book. The acknowledgements cite authentic sources, whose impact can be felt throughout this lush book.

Children's Literature Round tables of Canada Information Book Award winner
Canadian Library Association Honour Book

[Melissa Barbier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a touching book about the poem titled "In Flanders Field" which is about the soldiers buried in Flanders Field who died in World War I. I had not heard of this poem before, but the book includes the poem in the beginning, and then goes through the poem a couple lines at a time with beautiful paintings to go along with the lines. After each couple of lines, there is background about what happened in the war, when the U.S. entered the war, and other details that help explain what the poem is trying to say. It is a beautiful book for many ages. It could be a great read aloud for second grade and up. This would be a great way to celebrate Veteran's Day with students. It would also serve as a great book to introduce poetry since there are explanations for what each line means.

[Jeslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent children's book that tells of how the seminal poem of World War I, In Flanders Fields, came to be written. The book also gives young readers some history on John McCrae's life and experiences leading up to writing the poem, as well as an excellent youth-oriented overview of World War I, including life in the trenches, camaraderie amongst the soldiers, the significance of the poppy, etc.

This is an outstanding book to jump-start an interest in history for young readers. Beautifully illustrated with artwork and photography, thoughtfully and artfully created by the author and illustrator.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this slender red book was originally published by Tundra in 1995, Granfield's moving account of the writing of the poem in the battlefields of the first World War has been devoured by young audiences eager to know about the man behind the poem, Canadian John McCrae, and the poem that has become synonymous with that devastating conflict. Granfield's text, both lyrical and informative, is enriched by painting by artist Janet Wilson that illustrate the poem itself, woven delicately into Granfield's evocative rendering of this historical moment. A new cover and intro by Dr Tim Cook of the War Museum have been added this to this handsome new version, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Flanders Field, by John McCrae, opens with the haunting poem In Flanders Field and is followed up with other poems, mostly of war and with it death. McCrae captures the essence of the World War I in his work. The second part of the book contains some history of the man and several diary extracts.

McCrae was schooled as a physician, but served in the Second Boer War as an artillery officer and further served in World War I as an artillery officer before being moved to hospital duty. He preferred the big guns to working the hospital.

A short book, but very worth the read if you are interested in World War I or first hand impressions of war in general.

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Goodreads first reads program.

This is a beautifully done book. The illustrations are gorgeous and the history that accompanies the poem is very well selected and written. In addition to explaining the history of the poem there is also a simple but well done explanation of the various stages of World War I. This would be a great learning tool for any child studying this period of history as well as a great keepsake for anyone interested in this poem or period of history.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like thousands of other readers, I first read this poem in high school. More recently, the title and cover of this book caught my eye as I was browsing at my local library. It contains interesting background information, particularly about the author, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who was a field surgeon on the front lines. He wrote this poem shortly after the death of a friend and fellow soldier who died in the horrific Second Battle of Ypres. Near the end of the war, McCrae contracted pneumonia and died shortly thereafter. Fine illustrations add to the poignancy of this little book.

[Korina]

I won this book as a goodreads first read.

I've always loved the poem Flanders Fields as it has such wonderful imagery. This book not only has beautiful illustrations to go along with each line of the poem; it also provides context for those who might not know the history of the poem. The book tells the history of the great war, the history of John McCrae (the author of the poem)including quotes from him. A wonderful way of presenting the poem and it's rich history.