A fabulous read. Excerpts from the 1945-48 diaries of 5 people who took part in the Mass Observation project. Asking ordinary people to record their everyday normal doings as a research project.
Wonderful to hear voices surprisingly very like ours expressing views on major topics such as the end of the war (and fears of future atomic wars), elections and politicians, the goings on of the royal family and the birth of the NHS and the welfare state.
But also recording the everyday mundanities of making do in a postwar society, getting on with neighbours and family, and views on the significant social changes happening.
Work irritating - lots to cover next week as Ros is off, can't get an answer out of HR about our new joiner's start date, and senior manager has made negative noises about my member of staff's homeworking request.
Dave has gone into town to meet old school friends.
3 good things
1. Cycle ride through the wetlands and soup in the garden at lunchtime in the sunshine.
2. Voters have sent a clear message of displeasure to our current leaders. Westminster council gone red the first time ever.
3. Most excitingly, spotted two swifts squealing and circling above the house. Hope they're ours.
That’s the best way to learn history. I’ve no idea what history lessons are like in schools these days but I expect they teach it in a much better & more interesting way than they did in my youth! Sounds an excellent book!m
the swifts is great news, they like high eaves, there is a "swift street" in Nottingham, we went on a "swift talk and walk" in the rain last summer !!! Our current leaders are not fit for purpose (hey I went all political there , sorry), looks like a great read
Looks very interesting - I recently went to the Barbican to see the Postwar Modern exhibition and also to the Imperial War Museum. This would be a complimentary read
