The Brightest Star

About the Book

"Well, you might not know this place but I'm sure you won't forget it. You're off to an area known as The Somme. Now, attention. Left turn. Quick march."

Bill and his childhood mates set out on the biggest adventure of their lives so far when they travel to the local town to sign up for active duty in the First World War. Their ambitions to experience more than their quiet village life and to secure the future of their country leads them into horrors that none of them could ever have envisaged. The novel captures to the full the grim experiences of ordinary, unassuming young men blinded by patriotism.

Bill's emotive and gripping narration carries us from his late teens, as he experiences degradations of trench warfare, through to his sunset years that are wracked with guilt of survival, telling his traumatic and brutal stories with astonishing modesty. We travel with him through his comradeship, combat, fear, fatigue, loneliness, survival and unerring love. Told with incredible feeling, and in a very personal style, The Brightest Star is a fascinating journey through one man's ups and downs. Bill shares his laughter and tragedies, and illustrates how fighting in a war shapes a life and a soul.

This is a moving commemoration and lasting tribute to an incredible people who fought in the "war to end all wars", and who are sadly disappearing over time. Their kind were unique.

About the Author

Paul Price was born and raised in a working class family in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. At the age of 15, he left home to become an articled apprentice bricklayer, which ultimately after many years of toil led him to become director of a construction company.

It was only after a period of illness that he became more in touch with his creative side and started writing historical fiction.