Dear Old Blighty: Britain's First World War Home Front

In the summer of 1914, Britain felt secure that the old order was firmly in place. Britain, through its navy, ruled the waves, and a fair part of the world through its Empire. Yet this security was an illusion; a war of unimaginable scale was just days away. The war would affect every level of British society; first through the urgent need for a massive expansion of the armed forces, drawing in ever-more men from civilian life. This in turn denuded the factories, shops and farms of labour, at a time when industry needed to expand to clothe and supply the armed services, and agriculture needed to fill the shortages of food created by the U-boat assault on our merchant fleet. The armed forces had first call on men, food, and material, so shortages hit the civilian population hardest; replacement labour was found in women, who began to take on work previously the reserve of men; in the factories, transport, commerce, and agriculture. Food remained a problem; shortages led to food queues, leading to increasing Government control and eventually rationing. Civilians were also hit by shortages of petrol and clothing, leading to petrol rationing, gas-cars, and 'standard' cloth. There were also more immediate dangers; raids by German ships on coastal towns, and air raids throughout the country by Zeppelins, and later, aeroplanes. In 'Dear Old Blighty', Mike Brown looks in depth at the experience of the civilians, men, women and children, of Britain throughout those four momentous years. AUTHOR: Mike Brown was Head of History in a London School and is an author, broadcaster and authority on Britain at war. He is the author of 'The 1940s Look', 'CC41 Utility Clothing' (Sabrestorm) and has to date written many books on wartime Britain. Mike lives in South London and having retired from teaching now works full-time writing, giving talks and doing research. Illustrated throughout

Table of Contents:
Introduction Chapter 1 The Outbreak of War Chapter 2 Recruitment Chapter 3 Enemy Attacks Chapter 4 War Work Chapter 5 Food Chapter 6 Home Chapter 7 Clothing Chapter 8 Doing Your Bit Chapter 9 Out and About Chapter 10 Peace Acknowledgements

About the Author :
Mike Brown was Head of History in a London School and is an author, broadcaster and authority on Britain at war. He is the author of 'The 1940s Look', 'CC41 Utility Clothing' (Sabrestorm) and has to date written many books on wartime Britain. Mike lives in South London and having retired from teaching now works full-time writing, giving talks and doing research.

Review :
… an attractive and interesting book Overall its a feel-good book despite the fact that its based on World War One. Dear Old Blighty as we nostalgically want to remember it. Worth buying to give to an old uncle for a birthday gift or as i mentioned before for anyone taking their GCSE's. This terrific book tells the story of the Home Front during the years of the First World War - beautiful photographs and illustrations make this a must-read for anyone interested in the social history aspect of the conflict.