Forgotten Voices of the Blitz and the Battle for Britain: A New History in the Words of the Men and Women on Both Sides

by Joshua Levine, Peter Ackroyd (Foreword)

Drawing material from the Imperial War Museum’s extensive aural archive, Joshua Levine brings together voices from both sides of the Blitz and the Battle of Britain to give us a unique, complete, and compelling picture of this turbulent time. In June 1940, British citizens prepared for an imminent German onslaught. Hitler’s troops had overrun Holland, Belgium, and France in quick succession, and the British people anticipated an invasion would soon be upon them. From July to October, they watched the Battle of Britain play out in the skies above them, aware that the result would decide their fate. Over the next nine months, the Blitz killed more than 43,000 civilians. For a year, the citizens of Britain were effectively front-line soldiers in a battle which united the country against a hated enemy. We hear from the soldiers, airmen, fire-fighters, air-raid wardens, and civilians, people in the air and on the ground, on both sides of the battle, giving us a thrilling account of Britain under siege. With first-hand testimonies from those involved in Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, Black Saturday on September 7th, 1940 when the Luftwaffe began the Blitz, to its climax on the May 10th 1941, this is the definitive oral history of a period when Britain came closer to being overwhelmed by the enemy than at any other time in modern history.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, War, Military History, Historical, Audiobook

496 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2006

About the author

Joshua Levine was born in the Bahamas. He has a law degree and practiced as a criminal barrister for several years in London. He gave up law and became an actor, appearing in amateur theatre productions. He also worked as an assistant producer, working on a documentary about Handel's Water Music. He wrote a stage play entitled, Crash, and went on to write programs for BBC Radio 4. He is the author of Forgotten Voices, Beauty and Atricity, On a Wing and a Prayer, Operation Fortitude, The Secret History of the Blitz, and Dunkirk.

Reviews

[❀⊱RoryReads⊰❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
First person accounts of Britain during the Blitz and the Battle for Britain. A mixture of stories from people who were there; some tragic, a few gruesome and even some funny ones. I'm always astounded by the courage and determination of the ordinary citizens of Britain during what was the most frightening and destructive time in their history. If I ever have the misfortune to find myself in a similar situation, I hope I'm able to be half as brave as they were.

[Harry Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book made up of the audio tapes stored at the imperial war museum. I don't think I've ever read a book this fast. Impossible to put down with great insider stories of the war from real everyday heroes. I real eye opener, I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Forgotten Voices of the Blitz and the Battle for Britain: A New History in the Words of the Men and Women on Both Sides" (Ebury Press, 2007) antaa äänen toisen maailmansodan kohtalovuodet läpi eläineille ihmisille, jotka kokivat taistelun Englannista ja sitä seuranneet saksalaisten pommitukset.

Tyyli on toteutettu ns. oral history -periaatteen mukaan, eli tekijät ovat purkaneet lukuisia Imperial War Museumin arkistoimia haastatteluja ja puheenvuoroja, siirtäneet ne kirjalliseen muotoon ja koonneet niistä tämän kirjan.

"Forgotten Voices of the Blitz and the Battle for Britain" käsittelee ilmasodan lisäksi myös minulle tuntemattomampia aiheita, kuten Jehovan todistajien kaltaisten aseistakieltäytyjien asemaa tai brittiläisen vastarintaliikkeen toiminnan järjestämistä saksalaismiehityksen uhan alla, jota Owen Sheers kuvasi jokin aika sitten myös suomeksi ilmestyneessä romaanissaan Vastarinta.

Säännöstelyn alla eläminen, pommeja purkaneiden pioneerien mietteet, huvielämä - monenlaisia tarinoita kuullaan. Naisten ja lasten näkemyksiä kuullaan siinä kuin miestenkin, ja muutama saksalainenkin pääsee ääneen. Jotkut kertomuksista ovat hirvittäviä, toiset humoristisia: elämän koko kirjo tulee esille, mikä tekee kirjasta erittäin mielenkiintoista luettavaa kaikille Englannin historiasta kiinnostuneille.

[Deborah Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare book that I would strongly recommend in its audiobook format. I'm sure the stories would be as interesting in written form but hearing the voices of the men and women themselves recalling the events they lived through is inspirational, touching and at times heart breaking. These are everyday stories and there is no real pattern to them beyond following the historical thread of the Blitz and Battle of Britain timelines. It is very real, at times funny but also does not hold back in terms of the stories of body recovery and death. I was moved to tears many times.

[Kev Milsom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently re-reading this and it feels as fresh as the first time around.
A wonderful collection of first-hand, personal accounts, relating to several aspects of World War II - including the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.
The book - incorporating a broad spectrum of both military and civilian accounts - is constantly informative. The chapters relating to the 'Battle of Britain' are particularly enthralling, with accounts relayed from both Allied and Axis witnesses.
The background history is also good; a short, precise account of historical events preceding each chapter. It's very easy to lose yourself into the words and marvel at the sacrifices and obstacles that everyday people had to confront, as well as the military personnel.

On a personal note, I'd make this book (and others like it) an integral part of secondary school history curriculum. In an age when warfare is often glorified through computer gaming, I believe that publications such as this offer a more sobering and realistic portrayal of the horrors of war.

Very highly recommended.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Forgotten Voices of the Blitz and the Battle of Britain’ by Joshua Levine, in association with the Imperial War Museum is a compilation of oral and written memories and, like the other book I’ve just finished reading, ‘Young Voices’, the voices of real people vividly bring their stories to life. I’m particularly interested in the Auxiliary Units which were set up in the SE of England in case of invasion. I’d love to visit one of the underground bunkers. It sounds like a Boy’s Own story, a secret hideout hidden in a field, bunks and a stove, going out in the dark to sabotage the Germans. It’s the sort of story I grew up with, raised during the Sixties on a diet of Alistair Maclean books, The Dambusters film and the TV series The World at War.
Read more about my thoughts on books and writing at www.sandradanby.com

[Daniel Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was terrific. It wasn't your traditionally written book, but was more snippets, quotes and paragraphs from soldiers, emergency workers, auxiliary personnel, and citizens from Britain as well as Germans. Each "topic" was covered chronologically and with terrific stories explaining what was going on throughout this horrible period. I knew of the Blitz as well as the Battle for Britain, but the depth in this book was fantastic and it was very educational. You got a true sense of the events taking place and this really captured the emotion. The quotes and writings were just raw, honest, and in many cases, very painful.
I didn't realize this book was part of a series until I looked it up on this site to write the review, so I definitely plan on reading as many of these as I can. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

[Reds_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of transcripts of oral histories in the collection of the Imperial War Museum. The histories of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz are told by a variety of people - including servicemen and women and civilians, from both sides of the battles. There is a wealth of detail here, both technical and personal which helps build up an understanding of how people were living their lives, it's fascinating. Using the transcripts means that the stories are told by these people in their own words and the the range of styles keeps you interested and personalises the histories.

There are quite a few other books in the series covering different aspects of WWI and WWII. I shall be reading them all!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

These recollections and snippets of experiences from people from those who experienced the Blitz first hand makes for fascinating reading. Really brings the history to life.

The only negative thing I could say is that there is a relatively large section near the beginning that deals with the specific details of the fighter jets and bombers. It's well done, just not as interesting to me as the other sections.

[Susan Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent verbal history of the battle of Britain and the Blitz, mostly from British sources, but also a few Germans. Covers the entire battle from military and civilian viewpoints; many fascinating details missed in normal histories (did you know the British were training expedient hangmen in case they needed to execute traitors during an invasion?! No, neither did I).

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a current resident of London, I really enjoyed this book. The history of the blitz on London was fascinating. I especially connected with this book because it was comprised almost completely of anecdotes and stories from people who were there. Real people telling real stories of life during wartime. History really comes alive in this book. Highly recommended!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite war book, but interesting nevertheless

[Sarah Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just superb, whether you read it in one sitting ir several, you will live and breathe this record of history and go back for more

[Michelle allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great book, I learned more about the war from this book then I did in school.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want this book to end. The stories give a real sense of how chaotic and sometimes even comical life was in war time Britain.

[Chris Mee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cracking read for any war buff