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War in the Strand a Notebook of the first two and a half years in London
During the first season of bombing many of my papers were burned, including the pages of my diary describing the spring and early summer of 1940. What remained of those papers is an intimate, honest, and heartfelt exposition of the beginning of the Second World War in London told through the eyes of esteemed writer, Hector Bolitho.
- GenresNonfictionWorld War II
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1942
6 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Hector Bolitho
133 books12 followers(Henry) Hector Bolitho was a New Zealand author, novelist and biographer.
Widely-travelled, he journeyed in the South Sea Islands in 1919 and then through New Zealand with the Prince of Wales in 1920. He travelled in Africa, Australia, Canada, America, and Germany in 1923-4, finally settling in Britain where he was to remain for the rest of his life.
On his arrival in Britain he worked as a freelance journalist. At the start of World War II he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an intelligence officer with the rank of squadron leader, editing the Royal Air Force Weekly Bulletin, which in 1941 became the Royal Air Force Journal. In 1942 he was appointed editor of the Coastal Command Intelligence Review.
He had 59 books published.
Widely-travelled, he journeyed in the South Sea Islands in 1919 and then through New Zealand with the Prince of Wales in 1920. He travelled in Africa, Australia, Canada, America, and Germany in 1923-4, finally settling in Britain where he was to remain for the rest of his life.
On his arrival in Britain he worked as a freelance journalist. At the start of World War II he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an intelligence officer with the rank of squadron leader, editing the Royal Air Force Weekly Bulletin, which in 1941 became the Royal Air Force Journal. In 1942 he was appointed editor of the Coastal Command Intelligence Review.
He had 59 books published.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 24, 2018
First published in 1942, this is a diary, based around the author’s time in London during the blitz. Hector Bolitho was already an established writer and, as he was born in New Zealand, he brings something of an outsider’s view to events.
Almost as soon as war is declared, Bolitho gives up his house in the country for the wives, and small children, of RAF pilots and heads off to London to help the war effort. He gets a job in intelligence, surrounded by various paper trays, where, “everything is so secret that I feel it would be better to set fire to it and never read it at all.”
Bolitho has a dry humour, and a feeling that he needs to do his bit. As a New Zealander he thinks of the Commonwealth, as well as England, and is very honest. Originally living alone in London, he finds the experience of being bombed alarming (understandably!) and decamps to the Savoy Hotel, which he finds much more agreeable. Here, he meets the good, and the great; mixing with American journalists, as well as politicians and celebrities.
As well as having an outside view of England, Bolitho knew Germany well and, indeed, sat fairly close to Hitler during the Olympics. However, he openly states, “during a war it is part of our business to hate the enemy,” and, although he muses on what the country he visited often has become, he is never conflicted about who he wants to win, and why.
Some of his papers, while writing the diary, were lost in the bombing – meaning there is a gap from the summer of 1940 to early October, which he decides to just leave blank. This diary takes us from 1939 to 1942, with that interruption. Bolitho writes of the blitz, of travelling around the country and, most movingly, of the RAF; once waiting some hours in the hope that an RAF officer, on leave, would visit a pub he was in, so he could buy him a drink.
Although this is quite disjointed, it has an immediacy that many other books about this period do not have. Bolitho was at a dinner party when a bomb blew away the front porch. He stood watching London bombed from his hotel windows, drank with newsmen, waited on RAF bases for planes to return and lost many of those people that he knew and who inhabited the pages of this book. This is a humbling account of one mans war and a very interesting document of the time, and wartime London.
Almost as soon as war is declared, Bolitho gives up his house in the country for the wives, and small children, of RAF pilots and heads off to London to help the war effort. He gets a job in intelligence, surrounded by various paper trays, where, “everything is so secret that I feel it would be better to set fire to it and never read it at all.”
Bolitho has a dry humour, and a feeling that he needs to do his bit. As a New Zealander he thinks of the Commonwealth, as well as England, and is very honest. Originally living alone in London, he finds the experience of being bombed alarming (understandably!) and decamps to the Savoy Hotel, which he finds much more agreeable. Here, he meets the good, and the great; mixing with American journalists, as well as politicians and celebrities.
As well as having an outside view of England, Bolitho knew Germany well and, indeed, sat fairly close to Hitler during the Olympics. However, he openly states, “during a war it is part of our business to hate the enemy,” and, although he muses on what the country he visited often has become, he is never conflicted about who he wants to win, and why.
Some of his papers, while writing the diary, were lost in the bombing – meaning there is a gap from the summer of 1940 to early October, which he decides to just leave blank. This diary takes us from 1939 to 1942, with that interruption. Bolitho writes of the blitz, of travelling around the country and, most movingly, of the RAF; once waiting some hours in the hope that an RAF officer, on leave, would visit a pub he was in, so he could buy him a drink.
Although this is quite disjointed, it has an immediacy that many other books about this period do not have. Bolitho was at a dinner party when a bomb blew away the front porch. He stood watching London bombed from his hotel windows, drank with newsmen, waited on RAF bases for planes to return and lost many of those people that he knew and who inhabited the pages of this book. This is a humbling account of one mans war and a very interesting document of the time, and wartime London.
November 1, 2018
War in the Strand, one of many non-fiction titles written by Hector Bolitho, highlights what the first two years of World War II were like for Londoners. At the start of the war, Bolitho joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an intelligence officer with the rank of squadron leader, editing the Royal Air Force Weekly Bulletin. In 1942 he was appointed editor of the Coastal Command Intelligence Review. All of this writing whet his appetite and he began to keep a diary, unfortunately, this was amongst the lost when a pile of his papers accidentally burned. Despite this bad luck, this remains one of the most heartfelt and emotive pieces of writing I've read about the start of the war, albeit less substantial than the author would've liked.
A vital read for those interested in military history, this recounts the changes that took place in London and is so much more than an intricate and intense portrait from one guys perspective. From rationing of foods to aerial bombardment, evacuation to fears over safety, this covers everything that touched the lives of those who lived in the capital from 1940. Engaging, well written and vivid, this is a worthy addition to any history lovers bookshelf, I've already purchased a copy for my father for Christmas.
Many thanks to Agora Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
A vital read for those interested in military history, this recounts the changes that took place in London and is so much more than an intricate and intense portrait from one guys perspective. From rationing of foods to aerial bombardment, evacuation to fears over safety, this covers everything that touched the lives of those who lived in the capital from 1940. Engaging, well written and vivid, this is a worthy addition to any history lovers bookshelf, I've already purchased a copy for my father for Christmas.
Many thanks to Agora Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 16, 2018
Princess Fuzzypants here: This book, while not what I expected, offered a look into the first two years of WWII in London. It is a diary that begins with the declaration of war. The author is desperate to contribute and leaves his country estate to offer his services. He is not an ordinary citizen, rather a celebrated writer who hobnobs with both aristocracy and the famous. Clearly his observations are not going to be the ones of an Everyman. However, that does not diminish what he sees and what he feels.
Initially, he wants to”suffer” for the cause, living in a barracks type of environment underneath the Air Ministry where he toils in intelligence. He is determined to be useful but spends his days buried in paper and bureaucracy. When his health suffers, he decides to “live” as fully as he is able and moves into the Savoy Hotel. The Savoy was a posh place in the Strand which the rich and famous called home. The diary is full of name dropping observations of the movers and shakers as they deal with the realities of The Blitz and the War in general.
Where the book truly gains gravitas is when he writes of The RAF and a number of the heroes with whom he crossed paths. His passion for the Few and his sincere admiration for their courage and sacrifice lifts the entire piece. It is always fascinating to read the thoughts, hopes and fears of someone living through what we now view as history. We are able to see where those ideas are correct and where they are wrong. What makes these first hand reflections riveting is when the author is able to insert the reader into the narrative. There were glimmers of that in this book but it never truly captured me.
I give it four purrs and one paw up.
Initially, he wants to”suffer” for the cause, living in a barracks type of environment underneath the Air Ministry where he toils in intelligence. He is determined to be useful but spends his days buried in paper and bureaucracy. When his health suffers, he decides to “live” as fully as he is able and moves into the Savoy Hotel. The Savoy was a posh place in the Strand which the rich and famous called home. The diary is full of name dropping observations of the movers and shakers as they deal with the realities of The Blitz and the War in general.
Where the book truly gains gravitas is when he writes of The RAF and a number of the heroes with whom he crossed paths. His passion for the Few and his sincere admiration for their courage and sacrifice lifts the entire piece. It is always fascinating to read the thoughts, hopes and fears of someone living through what we now view as history. We are able to see where those ideas are correct and where they are wrong. What makes these first hand reflections riveting is when the author is able to insert the reader into the narrative. There were glimmers of that in this book but it never truly captured me.
I give it four purrs and one paw up.
May 28, 2019
War in the Strand author Hector Bolitho . Kindle book offered to me by Netgalley , thank you .
Memories and stories of a young pilot about his life and of the people he met whilst living in wartime London during 1939-1941.
Very well written , I thoroughly enjoyed the book . The book besides being for sale should be available in universities , colleges and senior schools libraries.
Well recommend five stars .
Memories and stories of a young pilot about his life and of the people he met whilst living in wartime London during 1939-1941.
Very well written , I thoroughly enjoyed the book . The book besides being for sale should be available in universities , colleges and senior schools libraries.
Well recommend five stars .
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews