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1wcarter
Mass-Observation; Britain in the Second World War 2007
Mass-Observation is quite an unusual book.
In 1936, anthropologist Tom Harrison realised that no-one really knew what the British public thought about anything. He started the organisation Mass-Observation in which a wide variety of British were asked to keep diaries about what they were really thinking about on a daily basis. The diaries were sent to an office in London where the information was stored, and in a very unscientific way, conclusions drawn from the findings. The organisation ceased to function in 1950.
With the onset of World War 2, these diaries gave an invaluable insight into the daily lives of the average Briton. Those completing the diaries varied from Land Army girls, factory workers and elderly pensioners to Home Guard members, middle aged housewives and conscientious objectors. The day to day concerns over rationing, bombing, transportation, conscription, war news, entertainment, fraternisation and missing loved ones were all recorded first hand.
The huge database of diaries from hundreds of people has been housed at the University of Sussex, and there it was edited by Sandra Koa Wing. Extracts from the diaries of the more interesting members of Mass-Observation have been collated into this book, which gives an extraordinary and very easily read insight into the thoughts and activities of the average person in England during these very stressful times.
The 327 page book is liberally illustrated with over 100 contemporary photos embedded in the text. There is a forward by Philip Ziegler, a glossary to help with abbreviations, biographies of the diarists selected, a brief history of Mass-Observation and an index. It is three-quarter bound in red buckram, with a black and white photo paper cover. The plain grey slipcase is 26x18.5cm. and the endpapers plain red.
Prospectus clipping
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
Mass-Observation is quite an unusual book.
In 1936, anthropologist Tom Harrison realised that no-one really knew what the British public thought about anything. He started the organisation Mass-Observation in which a wide variety of British were asked to keep diaries about what they were really thinking about on a daily basis. The diaries were sent to an office in London where the information was stored, and in a very unscientific way, conclusions drawn from the findings. The organisation ceased to function in 1950.
With the onset of World War 2, these diaries gave an invaluable insight into the daily lives of the average Briton. Those completing the diaries varied from Land Army girls, factory workers and elderly pensioners to Home Guard members, middle aged housewives and conscientious objectors. The day to day concerns over rationing, bombing, transportation, conscription, war news, entertainment, fraternisation and missing loved ones were all recorded first hand.
The huge database of diaries from hundreds of people has been housed at the University of Sussex, and there it was edited by Sandra Koa Wing. Extracts from the diaries of the more interesting members of Mass-Observation have been collated into this book, which gives an extraordinary and very easily read insight into the thoughts and activities of the average person in England during these very stressful times.
The 327 page book is liberally illustrated with over 100 contemporary photos embedded in the text. There is a forward by Philip Ziegler, a glossary to help with abbreviations, biographies of the diarists selected, a brief history of Mass-Observation and an index. It is three-quarter bound in red buckram, with a black and white photo paper cover. The plain grey slipcase is 26x18.5cm. and the endpapers plain red.
Prospectus clipping
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2folio_books
The story of one of the contributors, Nella Last, was made into a film starring Victoria Wood - "Housewife, 49". It's a very readable book.
3LesMiserables
>1 wcarter: Thanks Warwick. This is one book that I would like to buy at some point.
4LesMiserables
And so I have. Snagged this today from Ardis.
5drasvola
After reading this post (thanks for the extremely interesting and hard work being done by wcarter), I decided I had to have a copy. So I ordered a near mint copy from Ardis. As it turned out, it came with the following inscription that throws some light into Folio's workings:
File copy 2/2 (edt)
Folio 1st edition June 2007
Print run 7000
Unit cost £8.1
Billing price £28.95
1369
The brochure above shows a purchase price of £26.95.
I paid £9.36, net, for the book.
Edited to add price paid.
File copy 2/2 (edt)
Folio 1st edition June 2007
Print run 7000
Unit cost £8.1
Billing price £28.95
1369
The brochure above shows a purchase price of £26.95.
I paid £9.36, net, for the book.
Edited to add price paid.
6LesMiserables
>5 drasvola:
My edition arrived yesterday from Ardis, as described. The wife loves it, having read all of the diaries of Nella Last.
My edition arrived yesterday from Ardis, as described. The wife loves it, having read all of the diaries of Nella Last.
7drasvola
>6 LesMiserables:
A worthwhile edition to any Folio library, and required reading for anyone interested in UK's sense of identity now that that appears in question.
A worthwhile edition to any Folio library, and required reading for anyone interested in UK's sense of identity now that that appears in question.
8bookfair_e
John Lukacs references Mass-Observation reports in his excellent book Five Days in London, May 1940
