List of Illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- Preface -- Prologue -- Chapter 1. Recruiting the War Horses -- Chapter 2. Cavalry -- Chapter 3. Guns and Artillery -- Chapter 4. The Somme and the Western Front -- Chapter 5. The Desert -- Chapter 6. Salonika and Gallipoli -- Chapter 7. Around the World -- Chapter 8. The Americans -- Chapter 9. The Home Front -- Chapter 10. The End of the War -- Chapter 11. Resurrection

"Using a superb selection of contemporary paintings, Horses of the Great War graphically illustrates the extraordinary contribution of countless innocent horses.

Supported by informed, sympathetic and lively commentary and first-hand account, this work shows how the horses were rounded up in unprecedented numbers from all over the world to be sent to an almost certain death.

While Allied cavalry halted the German advance in 1914 and 1918 and overwhelmed the Turks in the deserts of Palestine and Arabia, in reality the main equine involvement was anything but glamorous. The gruelling campaign on the Western Front in France and Belgium relied almost completely on horse power for the movement of vital supplies such as shells, ammunition, food and water. While vets did all they could to keep the suffering horses alive and well in atrocious and perilous conditions, vast numbers were slaughter on cessation of hostilities - a poor reward for their sterling effort. All this is reflected in the paintings of artists such as Sir John Lavery, Sir Alfred Munnings and Stanley Spencer who painted at the front.

Victory was ultimately achieved but at a terrible price not just to mankind but to man's faithful servant. Horses of the Great War will fascinate all who love and relate to horses as well as those interested in the conduct of 'the War to end all Wars'. " -- Inner Sleeve