Cowards

by Marcus Sedgwick

A sealed train speeds through the night around the outskirts of wartime London. As it passes through a dimly-lit station without stopping, a note is thrown out on to the platform. What is happening to the men on board? Why do they have to resort to such a desperate method of contacting their loved ones? This is the story of Howard Marten and Alfred Evans, two young men who refused to join the army in the First World War. They suffered imprisonment and punishment, because they believed it was wrong to kill. Sent to the front line in France, they were told to obey or face the firing squad. But they escaped execution, and were sent to jail instead. The 'conchies' had achieved a victory, of sorts. The government at last acknowledged the right of men like Marten and Evans to refuse to fight.

Genres: Young Adult

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Marcus Sedgwick was a British writer and illustrator. He authored several young adult and children's books and picture books, a work of nonfiction and several novels for adults, and illustrated a collection of myths and a book of folk tales for adults.

Reviews

[Ruthie]

Reviewing books is more about journaling my life experience as critiquing the book. This is Faz's book, a close friend of dearest Becky. He was given it by his grandfather (I think) when he was a boy with the message inscribed: Dearest Faraz, You are now reaching the age of understanding and I hope this book will allow you to judge for yourself the courage that is required to serve a higher ideal." 19.08.03

Faz lent it to Becky when he discovered she was a Quaker and it was there in her bedspace in ICU over the final months of her life. I brought it back with the rest of her books after her death. And now the book is returning to Faz, for him to lend to other people.

The book tells the true story of two conscientious objectors: Howard Marten and Alfred Evans. They refused to do any form of military service during WW1 and were imprisoned and subjected to 'Field Punishment Number One: "an army term describing a variety of physical punishments, some of which were extremely brutal."

Howard was a Quaker, Alfred a socialist. Both were prepared to die to uphold the principle that they should not fight. It's an inspiring story that demonstrates the strength that conscientious objectors needed, thus countering the image of C.O.s as weak and cowardly. The book's title is, of course, deliberately provocative.

How grateful I am to live at a time of history and in a country where I have never had to face such questions. I doubt I would have the moral courage of these men.

[Sally]

incredibly informative yet still told with a narrative style thread running through, Cowards is am excluding read and shows the insanity of fighting amongst ourselves in the time of war.

[Natalie Mcvey]

It's no secret that Marcus Sedgwick is one of my favourite authors.
Cowards was informative, shocking and as usual very well written.
It tells an important story that everyone should be aware of.

[Kay]

This is an important story of two men who were Conscientious Objectors in the First Word War. However, it is a very slight book and with an annoying amount of printing errors.