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Histories of the Unexpected
Histories of the Unexpected: World War II
Histories of the Unexpected not only presents a new way of thinking about the past, but also reveals the world around us as never before.
Traditionally, World War II has been understood in a straightforward way but the period really comes alive if you take an unexpected approach to its history. Yes, battles, bombs and bravery all have a fascinating history... but so too do handkerchiefs, furniture, Mozart, insects, blood, mothers, suicide, darkness, cancer and puppets!
Each of these subjects is equally fascinating in its own right, and each sheds new light on the traditional subjects and themes that we think we know so well.
Traditionally, World War II has been understood in a straightforward way but the period really comes alive if you take an unexpected approach to its history. Yes, battles, bombs and bravery all have a fascinating history... but so too do handkerchiefs, furniture, Mozart, insects, blood, mothers, suicide, darkness, cancer and puppets!
Each of these subjects is equally fascinating in its own right, and each sheds new light on the traditional subjects and themes that we think we know so well.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2019
9 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Sam Willis
50 books55 followersDr Sam Willis is a maritime historian and archaeologist and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
He is the author of the best-selling Hearts of Oak Trilogy and the Fighting Ships Series. He has consulted on maritime history for many clients including the BBC, Channel 4, NBC America and Christie's.
Sam's work is coloured by his knowledge and experience of seamanship. Sam's unique approach to maritime history and his vivid style of writing has led to him being described as 'A Nautical Tour de Force'.
He is the author of the best-selling Hearts of Oak Trilogy and the Fighting Ships Series. He has consulted on maritime history for many clients including the BBC, Channel 4, NBC America and Christie's.
Sam's work is coloured by his knowledge and experience of seamanship. Sam's unique approach to maritime history and his vivid style of writing has led to him being described as 'A Nautical Tour de Force'.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 4, 2020
Highly recommended!
I was born in 1980 and long finished with college before I realized how fascinated I am with history. I love reading about Tudor England...European history; think Dan Jones! WW2 is something that,embarrassing admit, know not very much of. I thought the scope and depth of the book was perfect. I believe it is better to get a broad comprehension of the big picture for starters and this book has more material than the books that cover a history in the hour (which are great books too). I found the chapter about the book burnings especially interesting. I love Fahrenheit 451, by Bradbury, because it emphasizes the importance of reading....I had no idea that book burnings took place, though. I will be reading the other books in the series and listening to the podcasts, as well! Excellent book!
I was born in 1980 and long finished with college before I realized how fascinated I am with history. I love reading about Tudor England...European history; think Dan Jones! WW2 is something that,embarrassing admit, know not very much of. I thought the scope and depth of the book was perfect. I believe it is better to get a broad comprehension of the big picture for starters and this book has more material than the books that cover a history in the hour (which are great books too). I found the chapter about the book burnings especially interesting. I love Fahrenheit 451, by Bradbury, because it emphasizes the importance of reading....I had no idea that book burnings took place, though. I will be reading the other books in the series and listening to the podcasts, as well! Excellent book!
May 21, 2022
The premise of the book series ‘Histories of the Unexpected’ is simple; focus on a broad area of history and approach it through 20 broad topics. Some of these topics may be concepts like suicide. Sometimes it is about the significance of specific objects like furniture. But each topic is looked at from different aspects which can make a specific object look sinister or a sign of hope. This was most well illustrated in the chapter about puppets. It first started talking about puppets made to depict hateful stereotypical representations of Jews, of which there is a large collection at the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. And yet in the former Czechoslovakia and Greece, they were used to communicate subversive messages in occupied lands in an entertaining way.
I am a big history fan and I am very much interested in author’s finding new and creative ways to engage the reader. While hardcore readers may be frustrated at the lack of length of the book or it’s chapter’s, I give the authors the benefit of the doubt. Just this fleeting glimpse seems to do the job in making the reader appreciate in the case of World War 2, not only the challenging military aspects, but also the too often overlooked social side of it. Wonder why deaf people were sought after to work in certain US war factories? The lives of the little people are brought into focus from the earnest carrot grower digging for victory, or the scared woman stalked home at night in the Blitz era blackouts which were meant to keep her safe.
I say with all honesty that this is one of the most interesting books I have read in a while. I give full credit to the authors for thinking of an original way to make the reader realise how easily history can be taken for granted. Sometimes the small stories are not so small at all. This read was especially memorable for myself since the last chapter had a special story about my home city Bristol. No other book I have read on World War 2 has made me appreciate that the stories of the “small” people weave into a much bigger narrative that too often gets overlooked.
I am a big history fan and I am very much interested in author’s finding new and creative ways to engage the reader. While hardcore readers may be frustrated at the lack of length of the book or it’s chapter’s, I give the authors the benefit of the doubt. Just this fleeting glimpse seems to do the job in making the reader appreciate in the case of World War 2, not only the challenging military aspects, but also the too often overlooked social side of it. Wonder why deaf people were sought after to work in certain US war factories? The lives of the little people are brought into focus from the earnest carrot grower digging for victory, or the scared woman stalked home at night in the Blitz era blackouts which were meant to keep her safe.
I say with all honesty that this is one of the most interesting books I have read in a while. I give full credit to the authors for thinking of an original way to make the reader realise how easily history can be taken for granted. Sometimes the small stories are not so small at all. This read was especially memorable for myself since the last chapter had a special story about my home city Bristol. No other book I have read on World War 2 has made me appreciate that the stories of the “small” people weave into a much bigger narrative that too often gets overlooked.
February 2, 2020
Tópicos relacionados com a WWII que não estamos mesmo nada habituados a ver referência nos livros sobre o conflicto.
A história das cenouras e radares já conhecia mas o capítulo sobre "bolsos" é muito bom. Como até as coisas que nos parecem a todos tao banais, naquela altura tinham de ser racionadas... incluindo os bolsos da roupa.
Leitura leve, sendo sobre a WWII, mas que enriquece um pouco mais a ideia sobre o conflicto.
A história das cenouras e radares já conhecia mas o capítulo sobre "bolsos" é muito bom. Como até as coisas que nos parecem a todos tao banais, naquela altura tinham de ser racionadas... incluindo os bolsos da roupa.
Leitura leve, sendo sobre a WWII, mas que enriquece um pouco mais a ideia sobre o conflicto.
October 31, 2021
This book takes a different perspective in examining the history of World War 2. Instead of looking at overall trends or events, it examines the world through a number of items and concepts. It does make for an interesting read. On the one hand the stories told are ones that reveal interesting insight, in other cases the stories are mostly trivial and add little to the overall understanding of the war.
November 14, 2019
Brief, but oddly charming. Reveals aspects of WW2 that I was unaware of and don’t believe are commonly known.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews