In the first terrifying hours of the London Blitz, when the skies rained bombs from hundreds of German planes, the British people were galvanized and the nation's future was changed

On September 7, 1940, the long-feared and anticipated attack by the German Luftwaffe plunged London into a cauldron of fire and devastation. This compelling book recreates that day in all its horror, using rich archival sources and first-hand accounts, many never before published. Eminent historian Peter Stansky weaves together the stories of people who recorded their experiences of the opening hours of the Blitz. Then, exploring more deeply, the author examines what that critical day meant to the nation at the time, and what it came to mean in following years. Much of the future of Britain was determined in the first twelve hours of bombing, Stansky contends. The Blitz set in motion a range of responses that contributed to ultimate victory over Germany and to a transformation of British society. The wave of terror, though designed to quash morale, instead inspired stoicism, courage, and a new camaraderie. The tragic London bombing can reveal much of relevance to our own violent times, Stansky concludes: both the effectiveness of modern terror and its ultimate failure are made powerfully clear by the events of September 7, 1940.

About the Author
Peter Stansky is Frances and Charles Field Professor of History, Emeritus, Stanford University.

Reviews
"'Stansky makes well-judged use of eyewitness accounts to highlight the reality behind the myth. Nick Rennison, The Sunday Times 'He offers a vivid account of how Londoners withstood attack. Recent events have shown how that resilient spirit lives into our own day. William Hay, Literary Review 'There is no shortage of books about the Blitz, but Peter Stansky's is up there with the best.' John O'Connell, Time Out"



Book Information
ISBN 9780300143355
Author Peter Stansky
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
Weight(grams) 318g