James Lescott

A collection of images of the era from the Getty Images library. Many of them are well-known and iconic; others less so. One thing that they bring out is this: in the popular imagination, the 1940s are synonymous with the Second World War - yet in fact, that war only occupied the first half of the decade (although its impact on what followed cannot be underestimated). There are pictures depicting social changes in the period as well as the great events; and the beginnings of the decline of colonialism are covered (and not just from a British stand-point), although the birth of the state of Israel has no coverage of the plight of the Palestinians. But all told, a useful compendium of pictures.… (more)

Iconic images of the era from the Getty Images collection. This volume not only covers the key events of the decade, such as the Korean War, the on-going development of nuclear weapons, the Hungarian uprising, the 'Space race' and the revolution in Cuba, but also the erosion of imperialism (both British and French), the debacle of Suez, and changes in social trends. Iconic characters are illustrated, such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Pablo Picasso, James Dean and Sugar Ray Robinson. Other notable people included are the composer Paul Hindemith, the space scientist J Allen Hynek (of 'Project Blue Book' fame), the Rosenbergs, Burgess and Maclean, and the playwright Brendan Behan. Fewer factual errors than the volume on the 1940s.… (more)