Poetry of the Second World War

An Anthology

Tim Kendall (Professor of English, Professor of English, University of Exeter)

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English

Worlds Classics
01 February 2026

Series: Oxford World's Classics

The Second World War is now recognized as a watershed for British poetry. The changes that arose were masked for some time by the enormous power and shock of the conflict itself, and by the restrictions on poetry publishing consequent on paper rationing and the general business of wartime. This anthology seeks to showcase not only the harrowingly beautiful poetry born from the conflict, but also the radical changes to style and form that came from the epoch and altered the face of British poetry. Featuring generous selections of famous poets, including Dylan Thomas, T. S. Eliot, and W. H. Auden, alongside works by civilians and soldiers, the collection offers a symphony of different voices, all connected in their shared experience of the Second World War.

Tim Kendall's introduction charts the history of the war poets' reception, explaining their relationship with their First World War predecessors and some of the reasons why they have never managed to reach such a wide audience. The work of each poet is prefaced with a biographical account which allows poems to be read in their historical context, and every poem is annotated with date of composition, publication history, and a gloss of words and allusions.

Edited by: Tim Kendall (Professor of English Professor of English University of Exeter)
Imprint: Worlds Classics
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 195mm, Width: 128mm, Spine: 10mm
Weight: 200g
ISBN: 9780198729082
ISBN 10: 0198729081
Series: Oxford World's Classics
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 01 February 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Tim Kendall taught in Oxford, Newcastle and Bristol before taking up a professorship at the University of Exeter in 2006. He has been Head of Department, Director of Research, Director of Impact, and is now the Academic Director of Special Collections. His main research interests are war poetry, William Golding's fiction, nature writing, and archives.