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Blitz: When World War Two Came Home
The Second World War was not only fought in the skies above Europe or on distant beaches – it crashed into lives across the UK night after night as the bombs and missiles fell.
May 2026 marks the 85th anniversary of the end of the Night Blitz. But the aerial assault on Britain did not stop in May 1941.
For decades, ‘The Blitz’ – from the German ‘Blitzkrieg’ or lightning war – has been framed as a few desperate months beginning in September 1940 that mainly affected London. In reality, bombing continued, in one form or another, until the spring of 1945. BLITZ tells this broader, longer and more devastating story of one of the defining events of the twentieth century, in which more than 60,000 civilians were killed and millions made homeless.
From Eastbourne to Glasgow, from Cardiff to Newcastle, John Nichol uncovers forgotten tragedies and the extraordinary resilience of communities across the country. He tells of civilians at the forefront of war, heroic firefighters battling infernos, the unflinching bravery required to defuse unexploded bombs, families wiped out in an instant, and communities left bereft by a single blast.
Drawing on interviews with survivors, diaries, official records and eyewitness testimonies, Nichol gives voice to the men, women and children who endured nights of fire and fear, and to those who found the courage to run towards danger. He also brings the story up to date by speaking to people involved in similar situations mass casualty events, the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower, bomb disposal in modern warfare and individual acts of astonishing bravery.
At once gripping and compassionate, BLITZ will make you see this supposedly familiar history afresh. It is the definitive account of a nationwide struggle that shaped the course of the war and the spirit of a generation.
The book includes maps and two plate sections with 38 photos and archival images.
‘The story of a whole nation as only Nichol can write, BLITZ is a wonderful book perfectly anchored in the human experience’ Dr Robert Lyman MBE FRHistS, co-author of Victory to The British Army 1918–40
‘A truly powerful and engaging narrative. The way Nichol weaves the story of the Blitz with more recent accounts makes for an excellent read’ Andy Saunders, military historian and author
May 2026 marks the 85th anniversary of the end of the Night Blitz. But the aerial assault on Britain did not stop in May 1941.
For decades, ‘The Blitz’ – from the German ‘Blitzkrieg’ or lightning war – has been framed as a few desperate months beginning in September 1940 that mainly affected London. In reality, bombing continued, in one form or another, until the spring of 1945. BLITZ tells this broader, longer and more devastating story of one of the defining events of the twentieth century, in which more than 60,000 civilians were killed and millions made homeless.
From Eastbourne to Glasgow, from Cardiff to Newcastle, John Nichol uncovers forgotten tragedies and the extraordinary resilience of communities across the country. He tells of civilians at the forefront of war, heroic firefighters battling infernos, the unflinching bravery required to defuse unexploded bombs, families wiped out in an instant, and communities left bereft by a single blast.
Drawing on interviews with survivors, diaries, official records and eyewitness testimonies, Nichol gives voice to the men, women and children who endured nights of fire and fear, and to those who found the courage to run towards danger. He also brings the story up to date by speaking to people involved in similar situations mass casualty events, the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower, bomb disposal in modern warfare and individual acts of astonishing bravery.
At once gripping and compassionate, BLITZ will make you see this supposedly familiar history afresh. It is the definitive account of a nationwide struggle that shaped the course of the war and the spirit of a generation.
The book includes maps and two plate sections with 38 photos and archival images.
‘The story of a whole nation as only Nichol can write, BLITZ is a wonderful book perfectly anchored in the human experience’ Dr Robert Lyman MBE FRHistS, co-author of Victory to The British Army 1918–40
‘A truly powerful and engaging narrative. The way Nichol weaves the story of the Blitz with more recent accounts makes for an excellent read’ Andy Saunders, military historian and author
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
About the author
John Nichol
139 books22 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 21, 2026
4.5 Stars
Another fantastic book from John Nichol!
The Blitz, or ‘Blitzkreig’, officially lasted from 7th September, 1940 to 16th May, 1941 and it mainly affected London. But the reality of the events of the Second World War were widespread.
John Nichol has a unique approach to The Blitz in this book, as he looks past the devastation brought upon the capital and branches out to places such as North Shields (his home town) and the effect that the war had on local civilians.
The book does veer off in places to liken some of the wartime events to global events of today, such as the Grendell Tower fire. This did interrupt the flow of the book a little and pulled me out of the nostalgia of the war. That having been said, I do applaud the author for trying this novel approach. But for me personally, I would have preferred if the book had solely concentrated on the Blitz and World War Two. That is the only reason that I haven’t given the book five stars.
Another fantastic book from John Nichol!
The Blitz, or ‘Blitzkreig’, officially lasted from 7th September, 1940 to 16th May, 1941 and it mainly affected London. But the reality of the events of the Second World War were widespread.
John Nichol has a unique approach to The Blitz in this book, as he looks past the devastation brought upon the capital and branches out to places such as North Shields (his home town) and the effect that the war had on local civilians.
The book does veer off in places to liken some of the wartime events to global events of today, such as the Grendell Tower fire. This did interrupt the flow of the book a little and pulled me out of the nostalgia of the war. That having been said, I do applaud the author for trying this novel approach. But for me personally, I would have preferred if the book had solely concentrated on the Blitz and World War Two. That is the only reason that I haven’t given the book five stars.
May 31, 2026
This is a unique look at the Blitz as author John Nicol looks beyond the usual time frame and geographic locations. He looks beyond London and the typical places assaulted during WWII, veering beyond those and using North Shields, where his family came from, as an example of a war that affected local civilian populations.
Indeed, he looks at the history of bombing civilians, going back to Zeppelins in WWI and then continues to branch out. When King George VI created the George Cross to honour civilian gallantry, he covers only wartime heroics but also more recent events. Indeed, this book veers from wartime rescues to Grenfell Tower and everything from major events to individual heroism. I felt it pulled me a little out of the wartime story, but I applaud the author for trying something new to explain and explore a part of our history which still remains in so many memories. My own mother was evacuated in the war, even during the Sixties, when I was a young child, bomb sites remained, and many streets bear witness to the loss of neighbours.
With war still affecting so many people around the world, this is a reminder of how it can suddenly appear and cause chaos amongst civilians who must cope with the upheaval, death and destruction that conflict causes.
Indeed, he looks at the history of bombing civilians, going back to Zeppelins in WWI and then continues to branch out. When King George VI created the George Cross to honour civilian gallantry, he covers only wartime heroics but also more recent events. Indeed, this book veers from wartime rescues to Grenfell Tower and everything from major events to individual heroism. I felt it pulled me a little out of the wartime story, but I applaud the author for trying something new to explain and explore a part of our history which still remains in so many memories. My own mother was evacuated in the war, even during the Sixties, when I was a young child, bomb sites remained, and many streets bear witness to the loss of neighbours.
With war still affecting so many people around the world, this is a reminder of how it can suddenly appear and cause chaos amongst civilians who must cope with the upheaval, death and destruction that conflict causes.
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July 1, 2026Author John Nichol take the listener back to the beginning World War 2 when the German Air Force began bombing the United Kingdom. The author dives into the personal history of people who survivor and those who didn't survive. But one thing that Mr. Nichol is really well linking the events of World War 2 to today.
I really enjoy "Blitz" it was really interesting listening, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history about World War 2.
I really enjoy "Blitz" it was really interesting listening, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history about World War 2.
Review of advance copy
Well worth the read. A thought provoking book about wartime Britain with startling comparisons to more recent events
Review of advance copy
interesting detailed home looking at the blitz when it hit Britain and some personal accounts of events ranging from children and adults of the time
July 25, 2026
John Nichols never disappoints. A fantastic account viewed also from a modern day perspective and also covering events such as Grenfell. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews