New Zealanders at War is a New Zealand classic. When it was first published as a hardback in the early 1980s it was widely praised and went straight to the top of the bestseller list. Covering actions from the Maori tribal wars to Operation East Timor, and including both World Wars, this book is not a glorification of war. It is instead a successful attempt to capture war's privations, squalor and horrors and to describe how ordinary New Zealanders have responded. A key feature of the book is its magnificent collection of black and white photographs.

In this Penguin edition the format has been slightly reduced, the text revised by the author, and the book completely redesigned. In addition, Michael King has written a new final chapter describing peacekeeping activities overseas in which New Zealand soldiers have participated.
Says Michael King: Many of the men and women who are the subject of this book were reluctant heroes and heroines. They deserve to be remembered.