MICHAEL Morpurgo is, in his own words, "oldish, married with three children, and a grandfather six times over". He is also the author of 90 books, has won awards for his creations and is now the Children's Laureate. But as a boy he shunned books in favour of the sports field because he thought that reading and writing was for clever people. Years later he realised that telling a story was like telling a lie, you have to believe it and mean it.

Morpurgo's latest effort, Private Peaceful, exposes the nature of heroism and cowardice in war and his fascination with conflict is heartfelt and genuine.

"The war with Iraq has been a disaster. Going to war for any other reason than self-defence is always a bad idea. There was no evidence that we were under threat. It makes no sense at all," he says.

Something else that baffles him is the First World War, which he describes as a "huge power struggle". He uses this war to chart the last eight hours in the life of Private Thomas Peaceful, blending an idyllic rural childhood with the horrors of battle.

Michael Morpurgo is speaking at the Atlantic Suite, Terminal 2, Manchester Airport, on Thursday from 6pm. Tickets are £5, available on 0161 683 4400 (or by emailing books@madeleinelindley.com).

Private Peaceful is published by Harper Collins and available to buy from the link below. To read the interview with Michael Morpurgo in full, see the Go24 section of the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday, October 14.