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When the Lights Went Down : Crime in Wartime London
88 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1995
About the author
Steve Jones
13 books2 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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January 31, 2016
The full title of this book is "When the Lights Went Down - Crime in Wartime London".
We like to think that in wartime London - during the Blitz and the years of privation that followed - Londoners all came together and bonded with a single purpose, the war effort. Unfortunately, that was not always the case.
While it wouldn't be correct to state that crime was rampant, the author points out that "the ideal conditions for crime flourished." The blackout, of course, facilitated all manner of crime, the blitz damage laid open vast numbers of houses and shops to looters, the black market opportunities offered to Londoners during rationing created criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens, and the separation of families (combined with the increasing presence of American soldiers) made for much domestic upheaval.
In fact, "between 1938 and 1945, the prison population increased by 50%."
This book presents a comprehensive, if largely anecdotal, look at these issues. Recommended.
We like to think that in wartime London - during the Blitz and the years of privation that followed - Londoners all came together and bonded with a single purpose, the war effort. Unfortunately, that was not always the case.
While it wouldn't be correct to state that crime was rampant, the author points out that "the ideal conditions for crime flourished." The blackout, of course, facilitated all manner of crime, the blitz damage laid open vast numbers of houses and shops to looters, the black market opportunities offered to Londoners during rationing created criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens, and the separation of families (combined with the increasing presence of American soldiers) made for much domestic upheaval.
In fact, "between 1938 and 1945, the prison population increased by 50%."
This book presents a comprehensive, if largely anecdotal, look at these issues. Recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review