The Wartime House

A thematic look at a typical British household during World War II. The book describes what everyday life was like during this period of tremendous social upheaval and ever-present danger from bombing. The "typical" house is a late 1930s three/four four-bedroom semi in a city suburb, housing a middle class family with young children of school age. The introduction gives the background to housing in Britain during the first three decades of the 20th century. Self-contained chapters cover the construction of the house, utilities and services, furniture and furnishings, household chores, rationing, the kitchen and cooking, fashion, home entertainment and protection from bombing. The final chapter looks at the social legacy of the war and its effects on housing.