Britain 1940
The Decisive Year On The Home Front
Britain 1940 starts in January and ends in December, and relates to events as they unfold during the year. Although this chronological structure enables us to follow our ancestors as they learn to make do and mend, adjust to food rationing, watch the Battle of Britain unfold above their heads, and deal with the devastation of the Blitz, it does mean that in one chapter you’re reading about conscientious objectors, and in the next learning about the ‘careless talk costs lives’ propaganda campaign. Personally,
I would have preferred a more organised structure, and more individuals telling their own stories and experiences of the Second World War.
However, reading this book has definitely given me a better understanding of the hardships that my grandparents faced, and the sacrifices they had to make bringing up a family during the war. The large number of topics covered by its author Anton Rippon makes it ideal for any family historians who want a general overview of life in 1940, or as a starter before digging deeper in.