Edward Bawden was one of the original official war artists during the Second World War. For five years, Bawden was prevented from continuing to work as a printmaker, designer and book illustrator. Instead, he was employed to portray the war. His tools were pencil and watercolours. His subjects were mostly people - local inhabitants in the main - Sheikhs, troops, an Emperor, and children all found their way in to his pictures; and so it was that Bawden was to develop his ability in portraiture. Where, to his delight, buildings with architectural details were to be found, then they too would became part of a new dimension in his work. In retrospect, this period was the high point of his work in watercolour; now, with the considerable assistance of the Imperial War Museum, London, this publication has enabled them to be brought together for the enjoyment of a wider public AUTHOR: Nigel Weaver has been chairman of the Fry Art Gallery Saffron Walden since its inception in 1985 and knew Edward Bawden well. His career was in health services administration, holding two chief executive posts, and for which he was appointed an OBE. Robin O'Neill is a former British ambassador to Austria and to Belgium. In a career of 37 years in the Diplomatic Service he specialised in European affairs, but also spent several years in Turkey. Brian Webb, designed the book and selected the illustrations. He is a visiting Professor at the University of the Arts, London, and has produced several books on Bawden and on Eric Ravilious. 53 colour illustrations