Home front heroism
Civilians and conflict in Second World War London
1st Edition
Published on 11. June 2024
328 pages
978-1-5261-6211-3 (ISBN)
Description
Home front heroism investigates how civilians were recognised and celebrated as heroic during the Second World War. Through a focus on London, this book explores how heroism was manufactured as civilians adopted roles in production, protection and defence, through the use of uniforms and medals, and through the way that civilians were injured and killed.
This book makes a novel contribution to the study of heroism by exploring the spatial, material, corporeal and ritualistic dimensions of heroic representations. By tracing the different ways that home front heroism was cultivated on a national, local and personal level, this study promotes new ways of thinking about the meaning and value of heroism during periods of conflict. It will appeal to anyone interested in the social and cultural history of Second World War as well as the sociology and psychology of heroism. -- .
This book makes a novel contribution to the study of heroism by exploring the spatial, material, corporeal and ritualistic dimensions of heroic representations. By tracing the different ways that home front heroism was cultivated on a national, local and personal level, this study promotes new ways of thinking about the meaning and value of heroism during periods of conflict. It will appeal to anyone interested in the social and cultural history of Second World War as well as the sociology and psychology of heroism. -- .
Reviews / Votes
'Identifying the antecedents of such celebrations of "everyday heroism" in British culture, she details the forms such celebrations took and how they were shaped by the environment in which this heroism was demonstrated. These rituals of celebration and commemoration, she concludes, played an important role in helping the population cope with the strains of war. This assessment underscores the value of Matthews's book for collections specializing in British history and WW II, as well as for those interested in the public response to trauma.' - CHOICE Reviews -- .All prices
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Reflowable
Illustrations
10 Illustrations
ISBN-13
978-1-5261-6211-3 (9781526162113)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
06/2024
Manchester University Press
€125.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Ellena Matthews is a historian and civil servant -- .
Content
Introduction
1 Production: factories, wartime productivity and workplace heroism
2 Danger: protection, defence and care in the metropolis
3 Uniforms: clothing, uniformity and collective heroism
4 Medals: objects of recognition, materiality and heroism
5 Wounding: aerial bombardment and the civilian war wounded
6 Death: the civilian war dead and shared sacrifice
Conclusion -- .
1 Production: factories, wartime productivity and workplace heroism
2 Danger: protection, defence and care in the metropolis
3 Uniforms: clothing, uniformity and collective heroism
4 Medals: objects of recognition, materiality and heroism
5 Wounding: aerial bombardment and the civilian war wounded
6 Death: the civilian war dead and shared sacrifice
Conclusion -- .
