Author(s): Paul Addison; Jeremy A. Crang (Editor)

History

"* From May to September 1940, during a period that saw some of the most dramatic events of the war(retreat of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk, Battle of Britain, beginning of the Blitz), the Ministry of Information compiled daily reports on the morale of the nation for circulation within Whitehall. * These reports make fascinating reading- they tell the story of people s hopes and fears, moods and concerns from rumours about German spies disguised as nuns to the hardships of rationing in all regions of the country during Britain s Finest Hour at a time when the outcome of the war was far from certain. * Drawing on a wide range of informants, from the Mass-Observation social survey organisation to a network of contacts including chief constables, postal censors, doctors, parsons, publicans and trade unionists, the reports pieced together from these sources at great speed were by their very nature impressionistic, but provide us nevertheless with a unique record of co"