Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries Of Housewife, 49 [Paperback]

Nella Last (Author), Robert Malcolmson (Editor), Patricia Malcolmson (Editor)

Book Description

Series: The Post-War Diaries of Housewife | Publication Date: March 1, 2009

Nella Last's War established a housewife and mother from Barrow-in-Furness as one of the most powerful and moving voices of the Second World War, and inspired the award-winning television drama Housewife, 49. In this next instalment of her unique diaries, Nella Last describes how ordinary people re-built their lives after the war was over.

While the Allies' victory was a cause for hope and celebration, much privation and anxiety remained. 'The only peace is that there are no active hostilities,' Nella wrote, 'but the corrosion of the war years is eating deeper into civilisation.' In her sensitive and playful account of daily life in the austerity years, written like her diaries for the Mass Observation project, Nella Last captures the thoughts and feelings of post-war Britain.

'If the historians could see clearly enough, this could well be called the age of frustration...after all, for ordinary people, it's the little things that count, whether for good or ill.' Nella Last

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nella Last kept a diary throughout WWII, under the auspices of the Mass Observation Archive. Her record of events offers a unique insight into one woman's war - on the Home Front. She died in 1968. Robert Malcolmson is Professor Emeritus of history at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. Patricia Malcolmson is a historian and a former executive in the Ontario public service. They live in Cobourg, Ontario.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Profile Books (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846680743
• ISBN-13: 978-1846680748
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You feel you know her, September 5, 2009

By 

Wedderburn (Tucker , Ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries Of Housewife, 49 (Paperback)

This is the sequel to Nella Last's War. Both were written for the Mass Observation Project which was started in England during WWII. This diary of Nella's written in the years just after war ended is excellent. One feels one is there in Barrow-in-Furness with her. You feel you know her. You want to talk to her about her life. It is written in a diary format and is one of the best books of this type I have read. One thing I particularly like about this book (and other diaries put out by the Mass observation Project) is that the author is an ordinary lower middle class person; so many published diaries are by the famous or the priviledged or the rich. So it is refreshing to have the view of a person with whom most of us can identify. I recommend it without reservation.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most evocative book, March 12, 2010

By 

C. G. Hannah "CG Hannah" (Yorktown Heights, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries Of Housewife, 49 (Paperback)

This book takes you right back, to what people were concerned with in their everyday lives, a detailed description of what Nella fixed for meals and what it cost, money, time and effort wise to do so, and a more intimate look at her marriage. You really get a picture of life in the years the book portrays, and get to know her better than before. Loved how she is standing up for herself more, and speaking her mind with sometimes surprising results. But the food----just putting meals on the table at this time of severe rationing and shortages,the relief of getting some food packages after her son moves to Australia, this is the most real look you get inside a home and a life. Great book!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Diary, January 17, 2010

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A.O. (Easton, CT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries Of Housewife, 49 (Paperback)

I love Nella. Her observations and descriptions have given me a very real sense of what it was like to live in Barrow during that period of time. Also, she is someone I would like to know.