Book excerpt: The First World War claimed over 995,000 British lives, and its legacy continues to be remembered today. Great War Britain: Kidderminster offers an intimate portrayal of the town and its people living in the shadow of the 'war to end all wars'. A beautifully illustrated and highly accessible volume, it describes local reaction to the outbreak of war; charts the experience of individuals who enlisted; the changing face of industry; the work of the town's hospitals; the effect of the conflict on local children; the women who played a vital role on the home front; and concludes with a chapter dedicated to how the town and its people coped with the transition to life in peacetime once more. The Great War story of Kidderminster is told through the voices of those who were there and is vividly illustrated through evocative images from the archives of local families, the Museum of Carpet and the Kidderminster Shuttle.