THIS is the amazing human story of the hard-pressed and heroic Australians in World War I.

A vividly human first-hand account of brutal trench warfare in a soldier's own words and impressions is lifted from letters and diaries.

The story that shines through is of young idealistic volunteers killed en masse by bad leaders, but when used effectively manage to turn the tide of the war.

It captures the horror, heroism, humanity and humour of the laconic and admired Aussie soldiers stuck in a hell of French mud and "Fritz" bombs.

The personal reports make this an easy, enlightening and engaging account of the realities of the Great War.

Unlike some war books the author, King, does not assume a great deal of existing military knowledge.

There are informative breakdowns on the progress and context of various battles and breakouts on Victoria Cross winners and their exploits.

Icons of Australian history - Sir John Monash, and the French battlefields of Amiens, Pozieres, Ypres, Passchendaele - are brought to life and given fresh meaning.

As is the often horrific crucible of the national character (in parts of France Australians are still revered for the actions and character of their forefathers during the war).

The diggers emerge as capable, fearless, iconoclastic fun-seekers not reticent to take the mickey out of a visiting PM or ransack abandoned French houses or German corpses for "souvs" or souvenirs.

A deeply moving account every Australian should know.