History – 40 pages – my copy (paperback; 2005) bought for 80p from a charity shop in Cornwall during February 2012
#33 of 2011-12 - #154 of All Time
- 1 nod out of 5 -
30s & 40s Britain is just one in a series of short booklets on British History recently published. Its pattern follows double page spreads on features of life in these decades: the widely noted Devils Decade of the Great Depression, followed by the devastation of the Second World War, Britain’s eventual victory, and the austerity of the later 1940s.
The author – John Guy – is an accomplished historian who covers the main issues and events of this time: ‘Food & Drink’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Health & Medicine’. Yes, each one rather mundane in itself; however, Guy’s touch allows the reader to embrace the lighter side of history during these heavily weighted times.
Of course, with such a short book, the writer is unable to fully capture the imagination. The reader is briskly taken throughout these decades, made to gasp, before being pulled along page by page until we are out of the door at the ending cover. Double the space could have provided double the nods; but in quickly encapsulating an age it provides the reader with more interest and entrainment than a search on Wikipedia or the internet.
Buy it here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/British-history-30s-40s-Britain/dp/B004ZKW97I
Julia Skinner – Plymouth: A Miscellany (2006)
History – 60 pages – my copy (hardback; 2009) a present at Christmas 2011
#34 of 2011-12 - #155 of All Time
- 1 nod out of 5 -
And we move onto the other book in today’s review: a miscellaneous collection of history and tidbits on the naval city of Plymouth. Its very cover lays out its stall: ‘Fascinating Facts, Quiz, Historical Photographs, Ghost Stories, Sport, Recipes, Regional Dialect’.
It is interesting to note the book actually has an author (or at least, an editor): its modest pages follow no set pattern – certainly no chronology – and even typeface and print size appear to change, page to page. Its “stories” are far too short to become absorbed in; whilst its self-acclaimed recipe leaves much to be desired (trout with almonds and cream, anyone?). Its saving grace are the glossy photographs from the Francis Frith collection; however, the small size of the pages mean even this highlight is stunted in enjoyment.
Such a book was always going to fail on the Worm’s stern nodder test; however, its purpose was never to thrill or remain in the memory, but rather do its job of being an hour’s long entertainment. In three words: Perfect Stocking Filler. Or rather, the perfect filler for local history enthusiasts and anoraks.
Get in early for Xmas 2012 and buy it here:
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/julia+skinner/did+you+know3f+plymouth/6726575/
