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This little book is a big reminder of a tough time in world history - the years between 1939 and 1945: World War II. Originally published in 1940, and reissued in 2007, the book is a treasure of how practicality and ingenuity triumphed over Britain’s darkest (and most shining) hour.
101 Things to Do in Wartime 1940 contains dozens of made-up and make-do games, with illustrations showing how to make many items, including how to craft a croquet game for the floor, or structure a wire puzzle for the kids.
The book also includes tips on more practical matters - like how to ventilate a blackout curtain, how to stay safe from flying glass in case of an explosion, and how to use every inch of the yard to grow food in the garden.
Although this book provides a charming glimpse into another time, the reader is always reminded of the fact that it was written because the people in Britain were undergoing terrible deprivation. Learning how to cook without water, preserve eggs, or make a case for your gas mask may seem quaint in today’s world - - but this little book must surely have been a practical guidebook for a country that would see five more years of war.
Highly recommended.
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