The War on our Doorstep

Sep 22, 2024 5:34 AM

Author:Harriet Salisbury,The Museum of London Group

London's East Enders are known for being a tough, humorous and lively lot. In the early 20th century, families crowded into single rooms, children played on the streets and neighbours' doors were never locked in case you needed an escape route from the police...

World War 2 changed everything. During the Blitz, men set off for work never to return and rows of houses were reduced to rubble overnight. Yet the East Enders' ability to keep calm and carry on cemented their reputation for cheerful resilience.

They say Hitler killed off the bugs but, along with the slums, the Blitz destroyed a way of life. After the war families were scattered - some to estates on the edge of London, others to isolated high-rise blocks. The old East End communities were gone forever.

Told by the residents themselves, The War on Our Doorstep is an eye-opening, moving and laugh-out-loud depiction of the history of London's East End and what it means to be an East Ender.

Reviews

Reveals in heart-rending detail what it truly means to be an East Ender

—— Daily Express

An excellent collection of recollections of Eastenders. ... What a place, what indomitable pride. Read all about it

—— Country Life

Richard Overy is writing at the height of his powers... The result is often startling, never less than fascinating

—— Adam Sisman , Observer

A thought provoking reappraisal of the war - deeply researched, complex and yet beautifully lucid

—— Correlli Barnett , Times Literary Supplement

A first-rate presentation of the life of a first-rate scientific mind…it is hard to imagine a more thoughtful and warm biography than this one

—— Douglas Hofstadter , New York Times Book Review

Andrew Hodge’s book is of exemplary scholarship and sympathy. Intimate, perceptive and insightful, it’s also the most readable biography I’ve picked up in some time

—— Time Out

Save your money for the forthcoming new edition of Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges, regarded by many as one of the greatest biographies of anyone, let along Turing

—— Robert Matthews , BBC Focus Magazine

This book stands the test of time. It is a labour of love…compelling

—— Energy and Technology

Authoritative biography

—— BBC online

Hodges's biography is sensitive, sympathetic and uncompromisingly intellectual. The maths is extremely hard work – but helps the lay reader to appreciate the scale of Turing's achievements

—— Brandon Robsaw , Independent on Sunday

A rich and fascinating portrait of a genius whose life was tragically ended before its time

—— Gay Times

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