Women's Experiences of the Second World War

Many existing studies on the role of women in the Second World War concentrate on women's increasing participation in the workplace and on their struggles to cope with rationing and shortages. This book goes further exploring women's wartime experiences much more fully. Drawing on a wide range of sources including oral interviews scrapbooks personal letters diaries newspaper articles Mass Observation files and memoirs the book illustrates some ofthe similarities and differences of women's wartime experiences in different situations in different countries. Specific subjects covered include experiences of exile and living under occupation of coping with proximity to fighting and to the frontline and of dealing with everyday life in trying circumstances. The book draws out how factors such as political beliefs nationalism economics religion ability geography and culture all had an impact. Overall the book reveals a great deal about the complexities and nuances of women's experiences in this period of enormous upheaval.<br/><br/>Mark J. Crowley is an Associate Professor at the David Eccles Business School University of Utah.<br/><br/>Sandra Trudgen Dawson is the Executive Administrator of the Berkshire Conference of Women's History.<br/><br/>Contributors: Patricia Chappine Nupur Chaudhuri Sylvie Crinquand Beth Hessel Sarah Hogenbirk Regina Lark Bernice Lindner Alexis Peri Kelly Spring Michael Timonin Angela Wanhalla Wai-Yin Christina Wong.