By the time of the Armistice in 1918, some 6.5 million prisoners of war were held by the belligerents. Little has been written about these prisoners, possibly because the story is not one of unmitigated hardship and cruelty.

Civilians : the innocent bystanders -- Applying the conventions -- Germany : problems and inspections -- The British experience -- Wittenberg, Gardelegen and typhus -- From capture to the camps -- Reprisals -- Parcels, assistance and relief -- Daily life in Germany -- Daily life in the UK -- Exchanges, internments, and agreements -- The Armistice and repatriation -- Leipzig : the aftermath.