Telling Tales About Men

This book provides an intriguing account of how conscientious objectors, who opposed war on religious, moral and political grounds, were perceived during the First World War. Historically, conscientious objectors were imprisoned or otherwise penalised when their beliefs led to conflict with the government. Unsurprisingly, they were often deemed to be cowards, traitors, despicable criminals and degenerates. However, at the same time these men were sometimes considered to be heroes and patriots ? upstanding and intensely moral folk. Exploring the relationship between men, war, culture, patriotism and individual conscience, Bibbings draws on a range of materials and disciplines to produce this socio-cultural study. Sources include diaries, government papers, legal records, newspapers, magazines and novels, while the book is informed by writings from literary and gender studies, criminology, sociology, law and history. 'We all know stories about the Great War,' says Bibbings, 'but these tend to focus on soldiers and warfare.