Our Land at War: A Portrait of Rural Britain 1939-45
On the outbreak of war, the countryside was invaded by service personnel and evacuee children by the thousands; land was taken arbitrarily for airfields, training grounds, and firing ranges, and whole communities were evicted. Prisoner-of-war camps brought captured enemy soldiers to close quarters, and as horses gave way to tractors and combines farmers were burdened with aggressive new restrictions on what they could and could not grow. Land Girls and Lumber Jills worked in fields and forests. Food - or the lack of it - was a major preoccupation, and rationing strictly enforced. And although rabbits were poached, apples scrumped, and mushrooms gathered, there was still not enough to eat.
One of England's grand masters of history provides a clear and persuasive interpretation of the creation of "respectable society" in Victorian Britain. Integrating a vast amount of research previously hidden in obscure or academic journals, he covers not only the economy, social structure, and patterns of authority, but also marriage and the family, childhood, homes and houses, work and play.
BRITAIN – The Official Magazine of VisitBritain offers inspirational photography, fascinating features, shopping and travel advice. BRITAIN is the perfect choice for everyone who wants to know more about our nation’s rich history and traditions. Each issue is a glorious surprise, packed with tales of kings and queens, heroes and villains and the stories behind our castles and cathedrals, stately homes and gardens, countryside and coastline. With photography that makes you yearn to be there and stories that whet the appetite for more, BRITAIN brings you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about our vibrant island nation.
