The 1940s were dominated by the Second World War. In the cities people faced the constant threat of bombs and in the countryside they struggled to meet the demands the war placed on the land. At the end of the decade they celebrated with the royal wedding of 1947 and the London Olympics in 1948. But was this the full story? In this book, Brenda Williams looks at some of the major aspects of living in Britain in a time of upheaval; how ordinary people lived, worked and played, and the experiences of childhood amongst the rubble. How did people celebrate in austerity, what did they eat, wear and listen to? Here you will find the stories and people who made the headlines - Royals, politicians, celebrities and soldiers. The book will appeal to those who lived through it, and to those wishing to know more about what life was like for their parents and grand-parents.