Scottish Society in the Second World War: Tradition, Tension, Transformation

Uncovers a distinctly Scottish experience of the Second World War

Provides an original overview of Scottish society during the Second World War

The first academic monograph that attempts a national approach to the British home front, and also draws out areas of cultural difference with established scholarship on other nations and/or regions of Britain

Makes a significant contribution to knowledge of Scottish culture and society during the Twentieth Century

Uses a diverse and largely untapped range of archival sources, and features 19 black & white illustrations

Includes the experiences of women, children, prisoners of war, Irish in Scotland, Scottish Jews

Surprisingly little is known about Scottish experiences of the Second World War. Scottish Society in the Second World War addresses this oversight by providing a pioneering account of society and culture in wartime Scotland. While significantly illuminating a pivotal episode in Scottish history, this book also charts the uncertainties that permeated Scottish society at that time: relating to nationhood, to cultural identity, to Scotland’s place within the Union, and towards the country’s future.Using recently discovered archives, this text examines key aspects of wartime life, including work, leisure, morale, and religion. It also explores the underlying tension between conformity and resistance, and the ways that social fissures shaped Scottish responses to war. Further, in taking a national approach to the British home front, it draws out areas of cultural difference between Scotland and established scholarship on other nations and regions of Britain.

Reviews of Scottish Society in the Second World War: Tradition, Tension, Transformation

"A path breaking and thorough study of Scotland during WW2 which is both a major contribution to twentieth century Scottish history and the experience of Britain at war." -Professor Emeritus Sir Thomas Martin Devine, University of Edinburgh