Book description
The mass evacuation of children and new and expectant mothers
during the Second World War is well documented. But over fifty percent
of children were not evacuated during the War, and it is these young
people who offer an unrivalled view of what life was like during the
bombing raids in Britain's cities. In Blitz Families Penny Starns
takes a new look at the children whose parents refused to bow to
official pressure and kept their beloved children with them throughout
the War. As she documents family after family which made this
difficult decision, she uncovers tales of the deprivation, criminality
and disease of life in the city and, conversely, the surprising
relative emotional and physical wellbeing of those who lived through
the Blitz compared to their evacuee counterparts. Because of their
unique position at the heart of the action, these forgotten children
offer us a priceless insight into the true grit and the reality of the Blitz.
Penny Starns has researched and taught history at Cambridge,
London and Bristol universities, and has written history programmes
for BBC Radio 4. Her other books include Nurses at War, Evacuation of
Children during World War II, Odette and Surviving Tenko.
