Stories of World War One is a tearful, gritty and engrossing anthology comprising twelve moving tales by prize-winning authors – a reminder of just how fortunate and lucky we are not to have lived during the brutal devastation of the Great War.

The stories by some of the most noted authors of our generation, from Geraldine McCaughrean and Nigel Hinton to children's laureate Malorie Blackman, are key to the book's success.

Expertly compiled by Tony Bradman, the tales focus on different aspects of WW1. Jamila Gavin educates us about a soldier whose name is long forgotten – Khudadad Khan – the first Indian to receive the Victoria Cross for keeping the German army at bay and preventing them from reaching vital ports in Belgium and France.

Authors, including Tim Bowler and Leslie Wilson, concentrate on the women and children left behind, who have to adapt to a new way of life in Britain and cope with the heartache of knowing loved ones will not be returning.

Ian Beck and Paul Dowswell turn their attentions to the returning soldiers who are physically and mentally drained and appear doomed to spend the rest of their lives constantly reminded of this brutal war.

If Stories of World War One isn't on every public and school library bookshelf it should be – if only as a reminder for this and future generations to come of the hardship and suffering endured by so many.

Thanks to this book I'll be thinking of those unsung heroes such as Khudadad Khan on Remembrance Day this year and for years to come – I sincerely hope others will too after reading this book. Five out of five stars.

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