O ne of the popular myths of the Second World War is that the British on the home front united heroically in common cause against the German enemy. Reading at War takes a dispassionate look at the realities of wartime life in this typical English town in order to find out what really happened. The book uses vivid contemporary accounts from Reading's newspaper - The Chronicle - to present a fascinating picture of daily existence during this exceptional period in recent history. Alongside many examples of tragedy and ...
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O ne of the popular myths of the Second World War is that the British on the home front united heroically in common cause against the German enemy. Reading at War takes a dispassionate look at the realities of wartime life in this typical English town in order to find out what really happened. The book uses vivid contemporary accounts from Reading's newspaper - The Chronicle - to present a fascinating picture of daily existence during this exceptional period in recent history. Alongside many examples of tragedy and heroism, there is ample evidence of less admirable qualities. There are court cases, for instance, that involved individuals who tried to evade conscription or to prevent evacuees from being billeted in their homes. The book also recalls the chaos of the blackout,the flourishing black market, and the ladies' page in the newspaper with its fashion hints for suitable clothing to wear in air raid shelters. Then there is the sometimes hilarious shambles of the ARP's attempts to prepare the local population for gas attacks and the local Home Guard's staged 'battles' on the streets of the town. Finally, there are accounts of the astonishing bureaucracy which developed as Britain went onto a war footing and came close to becoming a totalitarian state. Reading at War records the day-to-day preoccupations of local people in wartime and the antics of officialdom running riot. It recalls the expectations and fears of the residents, and their hopes for the future, and it leaves a graphic impression of ordinary people struggling to remind us of how much Britain has changed over the last seventy years. Stuart Hylton became interested in Reading's history through his work for Reading Borough Council, which involved using old maps of the district. He has published several other books about the town, as well as on topics of national interest.
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Add this copy of Reading at War to cart. $13.63, very good condition, Sold by Reuseabook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2007 by The History Press.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
Add this copy of Reading at War to cart. $13.63, good condition, Sold by Reuseabook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2007 by The History Press.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner.
Add this copy of Reading at War to cart. $15.27, very good condition, Sold by Hay-on-Wye Booksellers rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hereford, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2007 by Sutton Publishing Ltd.
Add this copy of Reading at War to cart. $15.99, good condition, Sold by Brit Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milton Keynes, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1996 by Sutton Publishing Ltd.
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Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
Add this copy of Reading at War to cart. $16.00, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensenville, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by The History Press Ltd.
Add this copy of Reading at War to cart. $26.19, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2007 by Sutton Publishing Ltd.
Add this copy of Reading at War to cart. $29.20, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2007 by Sutton Publishing Ltd.
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New. An illustrated insight into the realities of wartime life in the town of Reading, which draws on contemporary accounts from local newspapers to provide examples of both heroism and tragedy, in addition to details of the bureaucracy that developed as Britain went into war, and information on the everyday struggle of life during the conflict. Num Pages: 128 pages, 100ill. BIC Classification: 1DBKE; AJC; HBJD1; HBWQ. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 172 x 247 x 15. Weight in Grams: 342. 1996. Hardcover.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
