Somerset at War, 1939-45 by Mac Hawkins lands on the shelves of my shop.
The Dovecote Press, 1990, Hardback in dust wrapper.
2nd printing. [First Published: 1988] Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Facsimiles; Maps; Tables;
From the cover: This is the first book to document the history of Somerset during the Second World War, and is thus one of the most important books on the county to have been published, for the story it tells is as dramatic as any in Somersets past.
The outbreak of war in 1939 left its mark on every parish in the county, and over the next five years was to bring the black-out, bombing raids, airfields, evacuees, American troops, nights on Home Guard duty or days in the Land Army, sons and daughters away in the Services, tales of heroism and hardship that even today have lost none of their impact.
Yet despite the suffering, an indomitable sense of humour shines through on every page. For in telling the story of Somerset at war, Mac Hawkins has left no stone unturned, evoking a period that will bring back a whole host of memories to those who lived through the war and yet is still relevant today. Two years of detailed research have gone into a text that is both accurate and readable, whilst the 200 illustrations, most of which have never been published before, superbly document what the realities of war meant to the people of Somerset between 1939 and 1945.
Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. Price Clipped. Previous owners’ inscription to the first blank.
Green boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 216 pages. Index. 10½” x 8″.
Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!
Fact or Fable Book Shop 