Nottingham In The Great War by Carol Lovejoy Edwards

Nottingham in the Great War by Carol Lovejoy Edwards offers a detailed look at how the First World War transformed life in Nottingham between 1914 and 1918. Published by Pen & Sword Military in 2015 as part of the Your Towns & Cities in the Great War series, the book contains 160 pages and approximately 100 illustrations. It examines the conflict from the perspective of the people who remained at home, complementing the much more familiar histories of soldiers and battles on the Western Front.

In Nottingham in the Great War, Edwards explores the impact of wartime conditions on ordinary families and communities. The outbreak of war brought an initial wave of enthusiasm, but this was soon followed by loss, uncertainty and considerable hardship. Families faced food and fuel shortages, severe winters and the devastating influenza epidemics that accompanied the final years of the conflict.

One of the book’s strengths is its attention to the civilian experience. Women played an increasingly important role in the wartime economy, taking on occupations traditionally performed by men while maintaining homes and families. Children also contributed to the war effort, with some sacrificing aspects of their education to work on the land. Edwards additionally examines how changing conditions created opportunities for Nottingham’s criminal fraternity, providing an unusual perspective on wartime society.

The book draws on local historical research, including material from Nottinghamshire Archives and local libraries. This gives Nottingham in the Great War a strong local-history character, with the broader events of the First World War viewed through the experiences of a particular city and its inhabitants. Contemporary material includes personal recollections, helping to bring everyday life during the period into sharper focus.

For readers interested in Nottingham history, social history, family history or the civilian experience of the First World War, Nottingham in the Great War is a valuable and accessible reference. Its combination of local research, personal experience and historical imagery makes it especially appealing to collectors of regional history and military-history enthusiasts who want to understand how the Great War affected Britain away from the battlefields.

Condition: Near Fine – Very Light shelf wear present.