William Wharton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1925. During the Second World War, Wharton served in the US army, until an injury led to his discharge. In 1978, Wharton’s first novel, ‘Birdy’, was published to critical acclaim. Before his death in 2008, Wharton penned 8 further novels, and 3 memoirs. The most recent memoir, ‘Shrapnel’, was published for the first time in English in 2012.

‘A brave, unsettlingly frank memoir, that engages from start to finish.’ Evening Standard‘One of the harshest of war memoirs that I've ever read' Libby Purves, Radio 4’s Midweek‘An extraordinary memoir… once Wharton goes to war, Shrapnel becomes simply astonishing.’ The Australian‘A raw, often farcical, sometimes brutal and occasionally tragic account of the bloody business of soldiering.’ Charles Lambert, author of Little Monsters‘A remarkable book.’ Vanessa Gebbie, author of The Coward’s Tale‘Harrowing yet gripping.’ The Lady

William Wharton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1925. During the Second World War, Wharton served in the US army, until an injury led to his discharge. In 1978, Wharton’s first novel, ‘Birdy’, was published to critical acclaim. Before his death in 2008, Wharton penned 8 further novels, and 3 memoirs. The most recent memoir, ‘Shrapnel’, was published for the first time in English in 2012.

‘A brave, unsettlingly frank memoir, that engages from start to finish.’ Evening Standard‘One of the harshest of war memoirs that I've ever read' Libby Purves, Radio 4’s Midweek‘An extraordinary memoir… once Wharton goes to war, Shrapnel becomes simply astonishing.’ The Australian‘A raw, often farcical, sometimes brutal and occasionally tragic account of the bloody business of soldiering.’ Charles Lambert, author of Little Monsters‘A remarkable book.’ Vanessa Gebbie, author of The Coward’s Tale‘Harrowing yet gripping.’ The Lady