THE 2014 Penarth Book Festival will be marking the centenary of the First World War with two special events.

‘The First World War: Cause and Effect’ will see Phil Carradice and James Hawes examine the events that led to the conflict and their lasting events.

Author of ‘An Illustrated Introduction to the First World War’, Phil Carradice will explore the developments that made the First World War the first ‘modern’ war. While James Hawes, who is a Doctor of German literature and author of ‘Englanders and Huns: How Five Decades of Enmity Led to the First World War’ will take a fresh look at the animosity between Britain and Germany that all but destroyed Europe.

The event will take place on Friday, October 17, at the Upper Hall, Trinity Methodist Church, Stanwell Road.

Marcus Payne will be giving an illustrated talk, ‘Snapshots In Time: Penarth and WW1 As Seen Through The Eyes of The Penarth Times’ at Penarth Library on Thursday, October 16. Marcus promises a fascinating glimpse of how Penarth experienced the war on both the home and battle fronts.

Penarth Library holds a treasure trove of microfilms of local newspapers, including a wealth of information relating to the Great War, from which this illustrated talk is derived. Tickets £2, available direct from the library.

For further information on these events, visit www.penarthbookfestival.org.uk or pick up a brochure from Griffin Books.