Synopsis
The battered and exhausted Britain of 1945 was desperate for workers - to rebuild, to fill the factories, to make the new NHS work. From all over the world and with many motives, thousands of individuals took the plunge. Most assumed they would spend just three or four years here, sending most of their pay back home, but instead large numbers stayed - and transformed the country.
Drawing on an amazing array of unusual and surprising sources, Clair Wills' wonderful new book brings to life the incredible diversity and strangeness of the migrant experience. She introduces us to lovers, scroungers, dancers, homeowners, teachers, drinkers, carers and many more to show the opportunities and excitement as much as the humiliation and poverty that could be part of the new arrivals' experience. Irish, Bengalis, West Indians, Poles, Maltese, Punjabis and Cypriots battled to fit into an often shocked Britain and, to their own surprise, found themselves making permanent homes. As Britain picked itself up again in the 1950s migrants set about changing life in their own image, through music, clothing, food, religion, but also fighting racism and casual and not so casual violence.
Lovers and Strangers is an extremely important book, one that is full of enjoyable surprises, giving a voice to a generation who had to deal with the reality of life surrounded by 'white strangers' in their new country.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Clair Wills teaches at Princeton University, having previously taught at Queen Mary, University of London. She is the author of That Neutral Island: A History of Ireland during the Second World War, Dublin 1916: The Siege of the GPO and The Best Are Leaving: Emigration and Post-War Irish Culture.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War...
Stock Image
Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_448161227
Stock Image
Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1846147166I4N01
Seller Image
Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Ex library copy with usual stamps & stickers. Seller Inventory # wbs1701223294
Buy Used
US$ 3.74
Shipping:
US$ 10.06
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Lovers and Strangers : An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 17330092-20
Buy Used
US$ 6.01
Shipping:
US$ 10.52
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Lovers and Strangers : An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 15439621-20
Buy Used
US$ 6.01
Shipping:
US$ 10.52
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Published by
Penguin Books Ltd, United Kingdom, London, 2017
ISBN 10: 1846147166
ISBN 13: 9781846147166
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2018 TLS BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2017 'Generous and empathetic . opens up postwar migration in all its richness' Sukhdev Sandhu, Guardian 'Groundbreaking, sophisticated, original, open-minded . essential reading for anyone who wants to understand not only the transformation of British society after the war but also its character today' Piers Brendon, Literary Review 'Lyrical, full of wise and original observations' David Goodhart, The Times The battered and exhausted Britain of 1945 was desperate for workers - to rebuild, to fill the factories, to make the new NHS work. From all over the world and with many motives, thousands of individuals took the plunge. Most assumed they would spend just three or four years here, sending most of their pay back home, but instead large numbers stayed - and transformed the country. Drawing on an amazing array of unusual and surprising sources, Clair Wills' wonderful new book brings to life the incredible diversity and strangeness of the migrant experience. She introduces us to lovers, scroungers, dancers, homeowners, teachers, drinkers, carers and many more to show the opportunities and excitement as much as the humiliation and poverty that could be part of the new arrivals' experience. Irish, Bengalis, West Indians, Poles, Maltese, Punjabis and Cypriots battled to fit into an often shocked Britain and, to their own surprise, found themselves making permanent homes. As Britain picked itself up again in the 1950s migrants set about changing life in their own image, through music, clothing, food, religion, but also fighting racism and casual and not so casual violence. Lovers and Strangers is an extremely important book, one that is full of enjoyable surprises, giving a voice to a generation who had to deal with the reality of life surrounded by 'white strangers' in their new country. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR008502654
Buy Used
US$ 27.88
Shipping:
US$ 7.37
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 5 available
Stock Image
Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Seller: Stephen White Books, Bradford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Good. Ex-library book, usual marking. Clean copy in good condition. With Dust Cover. Quick dispatch from UK seller. Seller Inventory # mon0000483796
Buy Used
US$ 2.81
Shipping:
US$ 43.73
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
Seller: Majestic Books, Hounslow, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. pp. 240. Seller Inventory # 371818473
Buy New
US$ 63.76
Shipping:
US$ 8.55
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 3 available