Six War Years 1939-1945: Memories of Canadians at Home and Abroad

by Barry Broadfoot

ORDINARY CANADIAN WOMEN AND MEN FROM THE WAR AND HOME FRONTS TELL THEIR EXPERIENCE OF 1939-1945, OFTEN THE MOST EXCITING & TERRIFYING OF THEIR LIVES.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction

417 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Barry Broadfoot was an interviewer and history writer.

His historical research consisted of interviewing various Canadians from all over the country about their memories of their lives during specific historical periods such as the Great Depression and World War II.

In 1997, Broadfoot was made a Member of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour.

Reviews

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barry Broadfoot interviewed a wide range of Canadians for their personal experiences, which were then published under nine separate titles. This one written in 1975 is particularly compelling, since the war years provided incredible tales of horror, grief and humour. The stories are highly anecdotal, and not attributed to the story-teller by name. While that mitigates the historical accuracy somewhat, this method of recording also encouraged people to tell the truth about what really happened without the fear of being judged.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words simply cannot explain this book, anywhere from a paragraph to 2 page summary, by people who were there, their thoughts, remembrances. If you want to be totally humbled, it's the one to read, for everyone.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more all encompassing that I originally thought it would be. Not all "front line" recollections... in fact, if anything it could have used a bit more.... but more of an oral history of the mundane and not so mundane experiences of a nation at War. Stories of the men, the women and in a couple of cases the children, as the took on leaving home, staying home, training, farming, boozing, building, and fighting all across the country as well as in England, France, Holland, Italy, Germany and Hong Kong.
Several unique remembrances, but I think my favourite was the story of they guy who's jeep broke down the the wilderness of New Brunswick only to find that everyone who chanced by had some hootch and were looking for an excuse to have a piss up... which turned into an all night roadside hoedown. He woke up the next morning in the back of some stranger's car and found that two random passersby had fixed up his jeep... but he actually needed it to be broken again so that he had an excuse for not having made it back to base.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made a big impression on me when I first came across it many years ago. I have reread it a couple of times since. It is a stark antidote to the many volumes covering the details of battles, the glory or horrors of war. These are peoples lives. Not pretty but still enduring. My copy was old and used when I got it, but it still has a place on my bookshelves these many moves and years later.

[Elisabeth Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book filled with Canadian history I didn't know. In this book you will find stories from many different walks of life. They all lived through WWII, but each had a different perspective. A great and informative read.

[Rhonda Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hearing authentic stories from people who lived through the time period is always interesting. I learned some things I didn't know. I really enjoy these books by Broadfoot.

[Lee Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a son of a WW2 vet, I have to say this is an important book. As our vets pass away, we lose these precious stories. Historical events are always recorded in factual style....sad to say. The stories of the common folk are often lost to history. In this case, the author attempted and succeeded in capturing these stories in the words of the people. I would recommend this book to all the generations who have not had to face the realities of war on a global scale. Afterall, generals may take the credit but it is the lower ranks who deserve the praise!

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books of all time. I have bought and given out so many copies of this over they years. Every Canadian should read this. The book is divided up into segments - army, air force, navy, prisoners of war, children, women at home, etc. Some stories are only a paragraph long, and some are a few pages. This is the book that made me realize how important oral history is, and how quickly it is lost. Just a fantastic book.

[Donna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. I seriously think it's one of my all-time favourite books in my library. I bought it in 1986 and have meant to re-read it for decades. Just as fascinating the second time around.