Description
In autumn 1914, as Europe's military `doomsday machine' creaks into gear, the war effort at the Natural History Museum is about to spring into life. The grounds become an ad hoc military barracks, first aid units are formed and staff from across the institutions of `Albertopolis' are marshalled into the Volunteer Corps for Home Defence (Museum section). During the coming years many Government departments turn to the Museum for its scientific expertise and innovation. The knowledge held within the Museum becomes a vital repository for the military, on everything from equine anatomy to moth damage on the air balloons of the Royal Naval Air Service. In A Museum at War, historian and journalist Karolyn Shindler presents a series of compelling snapshots of life at the Museum during the Great War and demonstrates how deeply it affected the people working there. She reveals not only how the four years of war fundamentally altered all aspects of Museum life but also how the Museum itself made an important contribution to Britain's war effort.
About the Author
Karolyn Shindler read Modern History at Oxford. Formerly a political journalist with the BBC, she is now a scientific associate of the Natural History Museum. She is the author of numerous popular articles on outstanding historical figures associated with the Museum, as well as contributing to academic books and papers. She lives in London.
Reviews
'Can the Natural History Museum provide 1915 propaganda chief John Buchan with an image of a kraken, to help annoy the Kaiser's sailors? What insects are spoiling army biscuits on the Western Front? Wither leeches to heal the wounds at Ypres? Karolyn Shindler's 'A Museum at War', a quirky wartime diary, as from the boffins of Cromwell Road, is a treasure house of oddities.' New Statesman 'Brilliant... a fascinating insight into the role of the Museum in the Great War, ranging from the campaign against trench foot to the development of camouflage - a true museum piece of a book!' Martin Bell
Book Information
ISBN 9780565094614
Author Karolyn Shindler
Format Hardback
Page Count 232
Imprint The Natural History Museum
Publisher The Natural History Museum
About the Author
Karolyn Shindler read Modern History at Oxford. Formerly a political journalist with the BBC, she is now a scientific associate of the Natural History Museum. She is the author of numerous popular articles on outstanding historical figures associated with the Museum, as well as contributing to academic books and papers. She lives in London.
Reviews
'Can the Natural History Museum provide 1915 propaganda chief John Buchan with an image of a kraken, to help annoy the Kaiser's sailors? What insects are spoiling army biscuits on the Western Front? Wither leeches to heal the wounds at Ypres? Karolyn Shindler's 'A Museum at War', a quirky wartime diary, as from the boffins of Cromwell Road, is a treasure house of oddities.' New Statesman 'Brilliant... a fascinating insight into the role of the Museum in the Great War, ranging from the campaign against trench foot to the development of camouflage - a true museum piece of a book!' Martin Bell
Book Information
ISBN 9780565094614
Author Karolyn Shindler
Format Hardback
Page Count 232
Imprint The Natural History Museum
Publisher The Natural History Museum
