This book consists of extracts from wartime diaries of civilians or servicemen posted at home. They were written for the Mass Observation project.What makes them compelling is that unlike post-war memoirs or social history documentaries on TV or radio, the contributors don't have the benefit of hindsight. Most other things I've read or seen are viewed in the knowledge of final victory. These writers knew no such thing. At times they're pessimistic, certainly during the first half of the war, at other times confident.
It's interesting to note how class-conscious they are, with people being labelled without any hesitation or shame.
It's a fascinating picture of the life our parents must have lived.
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