Leeds at War, 1939–45

by Stephen Wade

Leeds at War 1939-1945 is a comprehensive account of the city's experience of the war, covering in expert detail life on the Home Front set against the background of the wider theaters of war.The narrative of that global conflict is given with a focus on the trials and ordeals that faced the people of Leeds as they cheered their men and women fighters off to war, were bombed and saw their children evacuated to rural areas.Rare insights into the life of war-torn Leeds are included, along with untold stories from the footnotes of that history, from the air-raid shelters to the internment issues. The book incorporates the unique human record of that struggle from memoirs and memories, so that the reader sees the war bottom up from the ordinary people, although the military experiences of Leeds' citizens are not ignored.More controversial topics are also touched upon, such as anti-Semitism, labor troubles and crime, to give a full and fascinating picture of a great city facing profound trials of endurance, courage, and that true Yorkshire grit that has been the hallmark of the city's rise to prominence in Britain.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2020

About the author

Stephen Wade was born in Leeds and educated at the universities of Wales and Leeds.

He taught in further and higher education for many years, and this was followed by six years as a writer working in prisons.

He has written over fifty books, mainly in non-fiction, and he also lectures part-time at the University of Hull.

Reviews

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent slice of life in wartime Britain, focusing on the author's boyhood city. He combines memories, family stories, and an extensive bibliography of sources. His prose is plain but warm towards each place and person in his drama. As military history, it goes nicely with recent research applying social theory to armies and cities, giving us insight into why Britain held out so well in "Their Finest Hour" until victory was finally won, and how it changed life afterwards. Every history buff will enjoy and profit by this book.