We Are at War

We Are at War presents five personal diaries written by British citizens during the early years of World War II, from 1939-1945. The diarists come from different regions and social classes across England, recording their daily experiences during a period of profound national crisis. Simon Garfield has selected and edited these accounts to create a ground-level view of wartime Britain through civilian eyes. The diaries cover rationing, air raids, evacuation, and the transformation of everyday life under wartime conditions. Through these intimate records, readers witness how ordinary people maintained their routines and relationships while adapting to unprecedented circumstances. The diarists' observations range from mundane details of daily survival to reflections on the broader implications of the conflict. The collected narratives reveal the complexities of maintaining morale and perseverance during a time of national emergency, while documenting the gradual reshaping of British society under the pressures of total war.

Readers describe this as an intimate look at ordinary British citizens during the early years of WWII through their Mass Observation diary entries. Readers appreciated: - The raw, unfiltered personal accounts - How it captures daily civilian life rather than military operations - The range of perspectives from different social classes and regions - The evolution of public sentiment as the war progressed Common criticisms: - Some diary entries feel repetitive - Limited context provided for certain events - Can be slow-moving at times - Focus on just 5 diarists limits the scope Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (178 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Brings home the reality of living through uncertainty and fear" - Amazon reviewer "Would have benefited from more diarist variety" - Goodreads review "The small details of rationing and blackouts tell the real story" - LibraryThing reviewer

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📚 The book is based on five real diaries kept by ordinary British citizens during 1939-1945, which were part of the Mass Observation social research project. 🗣️ Simon Garfield selected these specific diaries from over 500 available accounts in the Mass Observation archives at the University of Sussex. 🌟 The Mass Observation project, which provided the source material for the book, continues today and still collects personal accounts from British citizens about their daily lives. ✍️ The diarists featured include a young woman working in a Sheffield steel factory, a middle-class housewife, and a social worker - offering diverse perspectives on wartime Britain. 🕰️ The book specifically focuses on the period between August 1939 and December 1940, covering the lead-up to war and the beginning of the Blitz.