A moving account of how war is remembered – and by whom

'Impressive. A hundred individual histories, skillfully assembled, built into a poignant meditation on why they still matter' David Olusoga




'Brilliant' Piers Morgan




Shortlisted for the Military History Matters Book of the Year Award 2026



Bestselling historian Tessa Dunlop travels the length and breadth of the United Kingdom on a quest to uncover a story of national warring and national mourning, of fighting each other and of fighting together. Along the way, she summons a stellar cast of veterans, military experts and families of the fallen to reveal what our monuments and war heroes say about us, both then and now.


Why did Scotland take nearly 600 years to commemorate its most famous freedom fighter? When did Wellington become anti-Establishment? Who are the Glorious Dead? Can the Cenotaph stay above politics? And how do you commemorate contested, asymmetrical wars?


Through powerful veteran testimony from individuals such as Falklands hero Simon Weston and HRH The Duke of Kent, Tessa brings to life the pride and the pain of commemoration across these isles.


Lest We Forget, freedom is not free.



'In this wonderfully incisive, moving and timely book about commemoration, Dunlop breathes life into 100 British monuments – some famous, others less so – that together reveal our island story. A stunning achievement.' Saul David