Wartime Christmas

Christmas has been regularly celebrated during wartime. From the Christmas truce of 1914 out in no-mans land on the Western Front, to prisoners of war cooking up their very unique Christmas dinners with whatever they could get their hands on in German POW camps in the 1940s, the privations and difficulties caused by conflict has never stopped people indulging in a little holiday cheer. This lavish gift book, illustrated with one hundred objects, photographs, and works of art from the unmatched Imperial War Museums collection, tells the stories of those who lived through these challenging times, when wrapping paper was banned, rationing was in full force, and children were separated from their families. Also included are tips and tricks for creating recycled presents and greetings cards and recipes to cook a delicious wartime Christmas meal. Wartime Christmas explores the dichotomy apparent in celebrating "peace to all men" while continuing to fight a war of aggression.

For those who lived through wartime Christmases the celebrations during those years had an especially poignant flavour. This unique anthology recreates those times of heartache and brief moments of pleasurable escape and happiness. Share with wartime veterans and their families memories of Christmas under fire; read about the gift of a pig for POWs' dinner from the Japanese emperor and how Glenn Miller's disappearance almost ruined the AEF Christmas show; enjoy ENSA veterans' anecdotes of Christmas concerts in the most awkward situations. From Christmas on the Russian Front, on board ship in heaving seas and a soldier's experiences in Egypt, 'It ain't arf hot' pantomimes and the Archbishop of York's Christmas message in 1940, to an account of life in the Warsaw ghetto, here is a collection of what made Christmas special during the years of the Second World War. Illustrated throughout, A Wartime Christmas showcases the hope, warmth and colour that the occasion inspired during those bleak times.

German U-boats are getting through the defences. It’s up to the Wrens to stop them. After her fiancé died in the sinking of the Royal Oak, Mary finds herself stationed in Orkney, still battling her grief. With Iris and Sally by her side, she is gradually overcoming her loss and is surprised to be helped by the irascible Joe. Joe is a signalman aboard the Kelpie and his cheeky Morse code signals to Mary while she's on shift bring her cheer and exasperation in equal measure. With Christmas round the corner, Mary is opening herself back up to the festive spirit – and to love. But the Germans keep slipping through Scapa Flow’s defences, somehow without triggering any of the Navy’s alarms. Could someone on land be guiding them? If so, can Mary, Iris and Sally figure out who and stop them before more lives are lost? A wonderfully heartwarming and gripping saga, perfect for readers of Johanna Bell, Kate Thompson and Daisy Styles. Praise for A Wrens' Wartime Christmas ‘This had me enthralled from the very start... Vicki knows how to tell a great story and I can't wait until the next book. I thoroughly recommend this!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Enjoyed this book - was a lovely, easy to read story with really good characters!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Another brilliant story from Vicki Beeby. I do so love reading this genre – you learn so much.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘This book kept me awake at night because I couldn’t put it down. It was exciting and heartwarming in equal measures... loved it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Another fantastic book in the series. The girls are all so likeable... The story was easy to read and had plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader interested.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘I loved the festive wartime vibes. Honestly had me smiling from ear to ear and this is another book I can add to the ‘adored it’ list.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Wow what another brilliant book in The Wren Series. If you love family saga set during the world wars, this is right up your street.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

A nostalgic look at Christmas during wartime, based on the memories of wartime veterans and their families, and including accounts of Christmas under fire, Christmas in POW camps and Christmas on the home front

What was it like to live in Britain during the Second World War? What kind of house did the average family live in? How did people cope with the ever-present threat of air-raids, not to mention the hardship of food and clothes rationing? How was a typical suburban home built? What were the choices open to householders when it came to interior decoration and furnishing? How did the war affect the domestic routines of an average household? The demands of a nation at war had many other far-reaching effects on the average home. How did women cope with bringing up a family single-handedly after their husbands were conscripted for military service? How did they use the rations and keep up their families spirits? What was it like to 'Make do and Mend' or 'Dig for Victory', or to sleep in an Anderson shelter? By looking at the lives of ordinary people who inhabited the semi-detached world of suburbia, Mike Brown and Carol Harris have painted a vivid picture of daily life on the Home Front in wartime Britain.

The SUNDAY TIMES bestselling Christmas saga. The perfect read for the cold winter nights! THIS CHRISTMAS, CAN LOVE FIND A WAY? 1941, Isle of Dogs. The little community on Slater Street has fought valiantly to keep their spirits up through the long nights of the Blitz. Though her husband Alan has been called up to serve his country, Kay Lewis is determined to give their young son Alfie as merry a Christmas as any other. But when a strange woman arrives on her doorstep, Kay's world is shaken to the core . . . When the woman claims that Alan has been leading a double life, Kay begins to wonder whether she ever knew her husband at all. Then disaster strikes as Alan is reported missing in action. With no way of discovering the truth, Kay will have some difficult decisions to make if she is to protect her family and keep her faith in the man she thought she knew. A heart-warming and nostalgic Christmas family saga set at the heart of wartime London, about finding hope in the darkest of times. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Rosie Goodwin Praise for CAROL RIVERS: 'Surely one of the best saga writers of her time' – Rosie Clarke 'A gripping page turner' - LEAH FLEMING 'Brings the East End to life - family loyalties, warring characters and broken dreams. Superb' - ELIZABETH GILL

Based on deep analysis of Mass Observation wartime diaries, Food in Wartime Britain explores the food experience of the British middle classes in their own words throughout the course of the Second World War. It reveals that, while the food practices of the population were modified by rationing and food scarcity, social class and personal circumstances were key dimensions of the wartime food experience that demand to be taken into account in the historical narrative of the Home Front.