World War II: London Blitz Diary, Volume 2

World War ll London Blitz Diaries #2

by Ruby Side Thompson, Victoria Aldridge Washuk (Editor)

This is volume two of a four volume series of diaries written in London, England during World War ll. The first volume was comprised of 1939-1940. This volume is 1941 and are Ruby’s outpourings of her experience during that year of the War Blitz bombings. In this very personal and historical account in which Ruby writes about her truth of the war which she shares with no one but the diary. She describes the terror she experiences night after night, wondering if she will see the next day. What these citizen's managed is mind-boggling and is a reminder of how atrocious war really is. Ruby says: "September 21, 1941 . . . We are hypnotized by propaganda; by the impact of particular places and persons; by religion, by war, and by ourselves, by our own terrible easy suggestibility. We are sheep, dumb fool sheep. Consider this huge derision of patriotism and of war. As I looked over Kent yesterday, so peaceful, all the harvest in, so green, so quiet, the sense of the folly of the war enveloped me ever more tightly and suffocating then in Blitzed London. Much of London is offensive to the sight, so that when one sees portions of it utterly destroyed unconsciously one is reconciled to the destruction. . . . The further I went from London the more I was convinced that war is only made by the few bad men in power, for their own profit. War pays the armament makers. The puzzle is: Why do common men obey the warlords? Why? Because they are hypnotized by words, deluded by propaganda and patriotism. Oh God! What fools men are! . . . One thing I determined, and that is, to guard my own mind. That seems the most important thing to me today, to protect my mind and to keep out the crazy propaganda and all the world’s false beliefs. The everlasting verities, those are what I want to discern and the realities, and mainly the beautiful and good realities. War is a reality and Hitler is a reality, but neither Hitler nor war is enduring; both will pass away, but the grass will remain, beauty will remain. Ruby says "This world is hell, and Hitler is Satan himself. The last war convinced me of the reality of the Devil: this war reinforces that conviction. I say, men create war; yes, but the evil in men’s hearts, which creates this sort of war, is the devil’s evil itself. . This is devilish fiendish air-war, every casualty a civilian.Oh the damn foolishness of war, and the ineptitude of politicians!Where will the bombs drop tonight? London, Berlin, Athens, Romford."

Genres: Nonfiction, World War II, History, Memoir, London, British Literature

261 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jeannie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is wonderful that Victoria took diaries of her great Grandmother and preserved them as books for all to read. World War II is a part of history that will soon be forgotten if not for wonderful people like this that want to share them with the world. I am a fan of first-hand experiences and love reading them. My own books are of my own first-hand experiences.
For sure none of us want to live through RELENTLESS RAIDS with bombs dropping everywhere- War is hell for all. I pray that readers don't ever experience the agony, pain, suffering and torment of another war like WWII. THANK GOD we don't have to say: "It was another quiet night due to bad weather. This afternoon the weather is clearing, so I expect we shall have the raiders (bombs falling) tonight."
I believe we all should read & learn about WORLD WAR TWO. What better way than to read the diary of someone who lived through it? This important event actually happened in the past. We need to know how everyone was affected and influenced while living during the mayhem and turmoil of all hell breaking loose.

Award Winning Author Jeannie Walker - "I Saw the Light" - A True Story of a Near-Death Experience
"Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
"Thomas, The Friendly Ghost" - A True Story of Encounters with Ghostly Spirits
"The Rain Snake" - A True Story of Faith and Love

[Alex Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this 2nd volume of Word War II London Blitz Diary after reading Volume 1. Ruby Side Thompson gives the future reader such an in-depth window regarding the way people lived through the Blitz. It is hard to imagine going through those kinds of bombings night after night and then in the morning, tired, irritable, hungry and scared and going about your daily life and doing the ordinary things of life.

I found Ruby to be quite a woman, possessed of the same kind dry English humor my father, a Brit, also had. I could totally understand her frustration towards her husband at times, after all she was a woman in a male dominated house - 1 husband and 7 sons.

Ruby even details when air raids happened and I have on more than one occasion used her diary to double check something I was researching from that time, a resource I was totally grateful for.

If you are a fan of WW II history, including diaries, or memoirs from that time, this is the book for you.

I can wait to read Volume II and will post a more in-depth review on all 3 volumes when I finish it.

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one. It could be that I am getting to know the people in the diary better, I am not sure.

The trials of Ruby are again discussed in this volume as well as the frustrations with marraige, war, men and life as she sees it. Her desire to return to America is heartbreaking, as well as her husband's attitudes towards her.

I am looking forward to the next volume and hope that she has a more positive year.

[Jessica Haight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading journal entries from someone who wrote during WWII is fascinating. The fact that this dairy was written by someone without the intention of their thoughts being read by others made me feel like I was going to get caught reading! The words are straight from the heart and real- without added descriptions meant for the reader. A true glimpse at an interesting time period and the struggles this woman went through!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful view of war from a womans point of view.

[Maryellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be an enjoyable read! I love to read about true stories, especially diaries.

[Ursula Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This diary was the real deal about life during the war. What women had to endure as women and dealing with their husbands and children. This is the diary of Ruby Thompson, her life during the 40's. I found it very interesting in how she related to her husband (her disdain for him), friends and children. The diary was heart breaking at times and delightful at other times. I am not sure how I acquired this read, but it worth the investment. So much happened from soldiers coming home injured to nightly bombings to death of family members. Enjoy!

[Sonja · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book (which is rare for me! ). I became tired of Ruby's constant complaining about her husband. The war was a secondary inconvenience to her. I appreciate that she was a real person, but-. Ugh. I finally couldn't take any more and put it away.
I had expected (looked forward to) a first- person glimpse into living in England during the war, but got a spoiled woman who only complained about her husband, bought books, and decided not to let the inconvenient war affect her. As an aside, her son was MIA. That was given just a few sentences.
Disappointed.

[Tracey Keir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have actually read volume 1 which was a free download on my kindle. Believe there are 5 volumes, 1 for each year of the second world war. The diaries cover different aspects, life in Romford during the Blitz, the life of a wife of a devout catholic in the 40s and a very honest inside view of a marriage. Not always comfortable reading.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Volume Two of Ruth Side Thompson's diary of living in London during the Blitz.
I really don't know how these people did it and, although she sometimes thinks she isn't, she is a strong, resourceful woman. I would have liked to have met her.
Mrs. Thompson not only writes of her personal experiences, but includes history of the time -- what the German armies are doing in places other than England, rationing, what the atmosphere is like and how the people react in general to the bombing. I find this all very interesting. The part I found a little tiresome is her complaints about her husband. I feel like saying out loud, "So, we got it aready."
What I did learn that was a surprise was Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Dublin in the Republic were bombed by Hitler. Missed that somehow in history.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying these recounts from Ruby Side Thompson. It is amazing what they had to go thru during the war and as women. I know many reviews dislike that she speaks so poorly of her husband, but these are real journal writings. It is where she goes to vent and speak her mind. Many things she says were unacceptable for polite women to speak of. In this book you also learn her reasons for them to leave America and come to England. You find more and more of her issues with her husband but you als so see that when they "love" her feelings are changed and she feels refreshed, so there is deep love but not always daily like. I am looking forward to the next book.

[Gayle Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Volume 2 which covered 1941 through Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into WWII, I couldn't wait to read more of Ruby's diaries. I just downloaded the original volume so I don't miss a beat. This is the account of a singular, classy lady who endured the blitz in London and gives us another look at WWII from a civilian's perspective. Riveting reading. You will feel as if you are sharing tea with Ruby while she bares her soul. The account of daily life during the war gave me a new appreciation of all I take for granted now. I highly recommend this book.

[Ronda Parsons · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I thought would be a very interesting read, turned out to be a woman's long narrative regarding her distain for her husband. It became very tedious. Very little insight as to life in London during the Blitz, as she seldom left the house. I was surprised at just how relentless the raids were. I think this book would have best been left as a family heirloom and not published for the world to read.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second volume in this series of diaries. More complaints about her husband but more about the war, too, in this one -- thank goodness. I have always known about the Blitz and have seen a photo or two of the destruction. This book makes me realize what the British endured, night after night, for years, as the Germans attempted to bomb them into submission. Keep calm and carry on, indeed!

[KA N Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say ?

Like Volume 1 this books opens the eyes of the grown up babes born in WW2 and those of us born since.

Women particularly can judge for themselves how they would have coped with children, meals and a house to provide for whilst worrying about a husband on war service whether at home or abroad.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
This book is a good book to read if you like memoirs,and I would suggest it to anyone. Reading about her life and the way things were during world war 2 is very appealing.

[Ceri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't too fussy on this one, I think the title is a bit misleading. After reading Volume 1 & 2 I can say that about 25-30% is about the war and the rest is of Ruby's relationship with her husband Ted, what book she's reading or other general household stuff. Disappointing.

[Victoria Washuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://gumroad.com/londonblitzdiarys

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy a personal diary, but I found it fascinating. Though the title is somewhat inaccurate as she lives in Romford, slightly removed from the intensity of the bombing.

[Alexis Pasquier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was even better than volume one. While I disagree with some of Ruby's thoughts, I love her open, honest expression of her feelings. I can't wait to read volume three