(William Woodruff's novel is one of the most original, convincing, and powerfulstories about man and war that has ever been written. Here, distilled from theexperiences and observations of one who fought with them in a British infantryunit is the mood of those who landed, fought and died at Anzio in the SecondWorld War. There are no heroes, no victories in the story, for this is faceless,nameless, fragmented war. vessel of sadness is poignant frightening andperceptive - its theme is universal. It helps us to understand the nature of man ina world where there is as yet no alternative to the desolations of war.Compared on publication in 1969 to all quiet on the western front, thisfirst-ever paperback edition of vessel of sadness will surely enhance its claim asone of the classics of war literature.'An outstanding piece of writing in which a thread of poeticvision runs through the stark realism of rememberedexperience in the Anzio beach-head. No one who reads it canfail to feel its impact and to be moved afresh by thesenseless horrors of modern warfare'.BLACKWOODS MAGAZINEOne of the most sensitive and moving books of the war, both authenticand poetic'AL Rowse, Times Literary SupplementAn excellence that sets it above the routine of memory... a true andcompassionate record'Stuart Hood, The Sunday Timesvessel OF sadness goes beyond sensation. It is an accusation'Richard Church, The Guardian) - from Amzon