We Are At War: The Diaries of Five Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times

by Simon Garfield

Of all the accounts written about the Second World War, none are more compelling than the personal diaries of those who lived through it. We Are At War is the story of five everyday folk, who, living on the brink of chaos, recorded privately on paper their most intimate hopes and fears.

Pam Ashford, a woman who keeps her head when all around are losing theirs, writes with comic genius about life in her Glasgow shipping office. Christopher Tomlin, a writing-paper salesman for whom business is booming, longs to be called up like his brother. Eileen Potter organises evacuations for flea-ridden children, while mother-of-three Tilly Rice is frustrated to be sent to Cornwall. And Maggie Joy Blunt tries day-by-day to keep a semblance of her ordinary life.

Entering their world as they lived it, each diary entry is poignantly engrossing. Amid the tumultuous start to the war, these ordinary British people are by turns apprehensive and despairing, spirited and cheerful - and always fascinatingly, vividly real.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Diary, Biography Memoir, Historical, War

440 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Simon Garfield is a British journalist and non-fiction author. He was educated at the independent University College School in Hampstead, London, and the London School of Economics, where he was the Executive Editor of The Beaver. He also regularly writes for The Observer newspaper.

Reviews

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Mass Observation diaries series, but the first, chronologically. I liked We Are at War better than Our Hidden Lives , partly because it was more exciting -- there was, after all, a war on -- and partly because I found the diarists more likeable. Although these books are long and a bit of a plod to get through, anyone interested in the history of everyday life in Britain in the 1940s will find them an invaluable resource.

[Kirsty Darbyshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of these war diaries goes back to the beginning of the Second World War. I didn't find the them as compelling as the ones from after the war. There's a different set of diarists--only one of the original five is featured here--and they didn't seem to be such interesting characters.

The thing that really surprised me was how little certainty there was that we would win the war; they were genuinely waiting for Hitler to invade Britain. This probably shouldn't surprise me but it did and I guess it comes from the difference between reading contemporary observations and reading fiction set in the war years written with the hindsight that we would win. And also the fact that these personal diaries aren't trying to put on a brave front or show "the spirit of the Blitz" or anything like that.

Even though I didn't think this book was as unputdownable as it's predecessor it was still mightily interesting and I'll be on the lookout for the third volume which takes in the later years of the war.

[cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good collection of the Mass Observation diary extracts from British citizens who were asked to keep diaries by the thousands during WW2. They are a fascinating look at the daily bravery and lives of regular people just trying to survive. There are quite a few of these out there and I find them all to be the best history, unfiltered by third parties.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these selections from Mass Observation diaries. I liked Simon Garfield's Our Hidden Lives, covering the years immediately after World War II, and absolutely loved Nella Last's War, one of the best books I read last year.

This volume covers 1939-41 and includes Maggie Joy Blunt, a perceptive young woman who featured in Hidden Lives as well. None of the diarists here are as compelling and likeable as Nella Last, but I find it fascinating reading accounts of everyday life and opinions during the war, which for obvious reasons are recounted completely without hindsight. The four diarists speculate about the imminent German invasion, experience the Blitz, curse both Chamberlain and Churchill, express despondency or rage at the progres of the war, but also engage in mundane activities like shopping, housework, social life, and work. Their accounts can be sharp, cynical, angry, poignant, and funny with a dour British humour: one of my favourite parts features an elderly gentleman out walking with his daughter in rural Surrey. A passing Messerschmitt dives to strafe them with machine gun fire. Daughter dives under hedge with baby; father shakes his fist at the sky, exclaiming "The impudence -- when you're out walking with a lady!".

It made me feel rather proud of the British refusal to bow to Hitler when virtually all of continental Europe had fallen and British cities were being mercilessly bombarded every night.

[Cate's Book Nut Hut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Mass Observation diaries series, but the first, chronologically. I have yet to read Our Hidden Lives, the "first" book in the Mass Observation series, but if this is anything to go by, it will be as equally a good read. These books are long and (even with the fervor of war) a bit of a plod to get through, anyone interested in the history of everyday life in Britain in the 1940's will find them an invaluable resource.

Other books connected with the Mass Observation Project, that I have read and enjoyed,are:

Nella Last's War: The Second World War Diaries of Housewife, 49

Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries Of Housewife, 49

Nella Last in the 1950s: The Further Diaries of Housewife, 49

[Austen to Zafón · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a LONG time to read this book, but not because it wasn't good. In fact, I really liked it. But it was my "car book," meaning I kept it in the car for those long waits in offices, lunch by myself, etc. It was episodic enough that I didn't have to keep track of a plot, so I could go weeks without picking it up and still be fine. I read Nella Last's War: The Second World War Diaries of Housewife, 49 a while back, which is also taken from the Mass Observation records, but it was nice to have a book that included multiple diarists living in different parts of Britain and having differing points of view about the war. I found Tomlin irritating, but an interesting contrast to the rest of the diarists. There is a glossary at the back, so if you lose track of which diarist is which, you can look up the name and find the first mention, where the person's situation is described. A great reference for understanding how the war affected those left at home.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not my favorite of these books. These diarists can't hold a candle to Nella Last.

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began this a while ago and like the previous one went back and forth comparing it to the other book of similar writings. It must have been an awful time not knowing when the planes would come from Germany. No one knew if it would be their last night and in the beginning most were saying ‘it will be over by Christmas’ but it took 6 long years and many deaths and injuries before the end.

I found it interesting employers were not employing nor taking a chance with starting men of ‘call up age’. This was explained in the other book due to perhaps training people then losing them for the war effort. Sad reading of some who were terrified of being called up, (one mother even tried to get an exemption for her son as she felt him to ‘gentle’ to be going to war) as they desperation tried to be brave due to current employment status and signing up. Being a mum I totally get that, as reading what happened at Dunkirk was horrifying. I cannot imagine being so terrified of the bombs and of what your loved ones were going through. One young man who signed u for the navy dad ‘he’d rather drown that be stuck in cold muddy trenches’.

All the letters home were so heavily censored with bits cut out or blanked out by censorship and I guess most were tying not to worry their parents and loved ones as they knew they were not doing the best either. These diaries are so important and should be read. This one I borrowed from University of Adelaide library where I worked for over 20 years was bought in 2013. It seems to have never had its pages opened as it was so tightly bound?!? I’m sure those studying those years must have flicked through it perhaps to certain dates but if you read the whole book you actually feel you’re living through their days with them. Some of these diarists actually kept in touch after the Mass Observation project ended which was probably good for them as most didn’t keep a diary much later on. I think writing things down must have helped some to be able to cope with the days ahead.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes diary entries from five people from just before the outbreak of WWII on through part of the great London blitz. One person is a salesman, one works at a shipping company, one is a social worker, one a writer and the last one a housewife.

Their diary entries cover everyday events ranging from buying groceries on through bombs dropping nearby. Their stories cover how England changed during that time with significant tax increases and much greater governmental control over everything they did. This included even arresting, trying and fining people for saying anything discouraging about the government.

A lot of people at that time, including these, seemed to take things pretty much in stride. The salesman has the most negative views of the group. It seems on the part of some that they actually wanted to get the German bombing attacks underway instead of going through each day wondering when they would begin.

The whole book is quite interesting, especially looking at it from a psychological viewpoint.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating accounts from five people who were actually there when the first bombs began to fall on Great Britain. I got the flavor of every day life from the diaries/journals of those who lived it, from the food rationing to the evolution of clothing for women...there was just so much packed into these stories. And coming from five different people there were differing views politically which was very telling. It is astonishing in this day, knowing what we do about the history of the times and what was really going on, just flabbergasting some people actually thought Hitler was a GOOD leader for Germany.
Riveting read.

[Hil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mostly. Quite a bit went over my head most likely, being 35 years old and the world having moved on somewhat since 1940, but some things never change. I was interested to read how sceptical people were of the government, which is not how I've been led to believe it was by history, and shows me that nothing ever changes in that respect. My favourite diarists were Pam Ashford and Christopher Tomlin, with whom I related most strongly being an office worker and from the North West of England respectively.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, it seems my review has disappeared, which is strange, since it was a good one. I enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the other two in the series. It was hard for me to keep the different diarists straight for about half the books. So many of the women seem to live very similar lives, and unless they mentioned a defining characteristic, like having children, I couldn't keep track of them. I like being able to get a feeling for the time period through the everyday details in these diaries. Sometimes slow, as daily life can be, but very interesting!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read on the lived experience of the second world war in Britain. If you want to know how people felt or what they did or what happened, this book will tell you. It's outstanding for its good judgement and its compassion, for the editor's care in selecting details and for the affection Garfield clearly feels for those people living through being at war. Five voices, five writing styles, five lives. One war that I now realise had so affected my parents and our neighbours when I was growing up in 1960s London.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books created from the archives of Mass Observation in Great Britain are all fascinating and moving. We learn about daily life in Britain during WWII (and before and after in other books), and the perceptions and thoughts of ordinary people. There are innumerable fascinating details about such things as setting up and using Anderson Shelters, what it is like to wear pajamas to a bomb shelter, what other people the diarist encounters say about the war. I can't put these books down.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see my review at Amazon.com: Grace's We Are At War Review

Please click that my review was helpful at Amazon so that my rating continues to climb!

[Hilary Tesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very worthwhile read - excerpts from the diaries of five ordinary people who recorded their everyday lives for the Mass Observation Unit, providing a record of living through uncertain times in Britain.

[Vonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest diaries of normal English people during the war. Fascinating stories.

[Louisepepper]

re-reading this series - absolutely love them. Fascinating insight to what people were thinking/doing during the war.

[Barbara Mader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do find these Mass Observation books about the British home front during WW I.I. fascinating. On to the next.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me very much of Studs Terkel's Working. I read much of that book, but didn't feel compelled to read each experience. Same for this.

[Jackie]

I enjoyed reading about 'normal' people and their thoughts and feelings.

[Valerie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating insight into the lives of ordinary people before, during and after WWII. They are stories you would never have learnt from history books or newspaper reports.

[Bill Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably of most interest to baby boomers born in the UK who got a flavour of these times from their parents, who actually lived through these extraordinary times.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mass Observation asked British people to keep diaries of their day-to-day experiences and post them in, thus collecting a vast historical goldmine. Here Garfield has selected five writers from this experiment and presents their diaries from Thursday, 24th August 1939 to Monday, 28th October 1940. Thus you get to see how real people living real lives reacted to the commencement of WWII. It's fascinating. This is the only type of history that keeps my attention - the observations of real, normal lives. It must have been an epic undertaking by Garfield and his team to select these extracts and honestly I wish there was so much more but he had to contain it to one book. It's not always thrilling, obviously there's no proper narrative, and sometimes, this being diaries, characters are mentioned and then dropped so you don't know what happened. At one point, one of the narrators mentions that her neighbours have decided to go on holiday to France! The same month that France surrendered to Germany! What happened to these hapless vacationers? Never mentioned again. Don't know. Even Garfield couldn't locate what happened to several of these writers after they stopped sending in their thoughts. He does try to give context to some of the historic events that the writers comment on, but I think there could have been more of this. At the start of each chapter, there is a brief timeline of big events, but I immediately forget all that once I get into the extracts. It would have been more helpful to put these above the specific dates. Anyway, it gets more and more interesting as it goes. Not all the writers are likeable (there's certainly a general level of antisemitism that just passes for normal that makes the read uncomfortable at times), but it is eye-opening how intelligent, curious, political and recognisable these voices from over eighty years ago are. It amused me that there are four level-headed women and one hysterical man, showing that sexist tropes never had a leg to stand on. Diaries are both a wonderful and limited resource of historical information, but this was well worth the read. I'd love to read more Mass Observations.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of extracts from five Mass-Observation diarists, covering the outbreak and beginning of the Second World War. Reading with the benefit of hindsight, it was quite striking to see some of their genuine uncertainties about who would actually win the war, and when Hitler would or wouldn't invade. It was also interesting to read their mixed attitudes towards people who acted "unpatriotically," with general criticism of those guilty of careless talk and blackout violations, but also a dislike of "Cooper's Snoopers" and over-zealous prosecution of those guilty of spreading despondency.

And, as always with such diaries, the obsession with seeming trivialities is always amazing. Pam Ashford put it well on 12th May 1940: "If my great-grandmother had kept a diary on the Eve of Waterloo and recorded all the trivialities that I put into mine on the eve of this terrible battle that is coming, well I should think she was daft. The present is normal; but the shadow of the future is creeping over everything, so that the 'normality' of the present seems ghoulish."

[Bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this selection of diaries from Mass Observation set early in World War 2, and Garfield is a good editor, but oh I just wanted more of everything -- I wish Garfield had kept going longer with the diaries he had instead of stopping in the beginning of the Blitz. Of course, it isn't his fault that some of his subjects stopped writing, and I appreciated that he finished the book with a summary of the rest of their lives (when possible, one of my favourite diarists hasn't yet been identified!), but I could have read so much more of these people's everyday lives! I am pleased that one of his subjects apparently kept diaries for years, and that at least some of them have now been separately published as A Notable Woman: The Romantic Journals of Jean Lucey Pratt.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mass Observation diaries collated by Simon Garfield are always fascinating to read. Not the major players of the war, but the little people with little lives reacting to the world issues. The diaries record hopes, fears, gripes & theories. What is interesting is that the diaries do not match the Make Britain Great Again rose tinted visions. There is gossip, theft, cowardice, racism - but also bravery, compassion & warmth.

[Yana Patrakova · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a long time ago that I read Our Hidden Lives and absolutely loved it. We are at war is an amazing compilation of diaries of five Britons who lived through the WWII. Even though it gives us a look at only the first year - year and a half of the war (1939-1940), yet it is a nice inside of how the people reacted, lived and survived through those extraordinary times!

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the book went on, I found myself losing interest in the content - the Epilogue does note that the spirit of the diarists did dip as the war continued and maybe this was some of the reason my interest wained.