Westall collected the memories of children and young adults about what it was like to live in the British Isles during WW II. Some chapter headings are "Evacuation", "Shelters, Gas Masks and Barrage Balloons", "Prisoners of War", The London Blitz", and "The American Invasion". Some of children who interacted with the German prisoners of war learned that the enemy was men just like their fathers wishing that the war could be over so they could go home.

Descriptions of food available because of rationing, back market purchases and innovated meal planning plus the women lining up for hours to purchase a piece of meat while the older children babysat their younger siblings illustrates everyone made sacrifices. Many of the boys scrounge plane wreaks for bombs and guns and often took them to isolated places and exploded the ordnance or fired the guns. Sometimes they even broke into military bases and stole weapons and ammunition so they could play war.

Given the prominence of WWII, and the emphasis on primary sources in the curriculum, I am at a loss to suggest why I am the only owner of this book. But even if WWII was as popular in secondary education as the 12th century, this would be a book worthy of MANY more owners. ( )