Product Description

Outwardly Nella’s life was probably seen as ordinary; but behind this mask were a lively mind and a persistent pen – a pen that never gave up over almost three decades, reporting, describing, pondering, and disclosing. Nella, 55 when the war ends, writes of what ordinary people felt during those years of privation, hope and the re-building of Britain, providing a moving and inspiring account of the years that shaped the society we live in today. Her diary offers a detailed, moving and humorous narrative of the changing experiences of ordinary people at this time, and thoughts on the aftermath of war and whether ‘peace’ really meant peace, for everyone.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4697 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
"'I've met such interesting people, and always heard unbelievable stories about people's lives. If I could put all in written language and sequence, I could write books, I'm sure.' Nella Last, September 1946 'A fantastic story...This is not the war of the newsreels - it's about tiny domestic difficulties, lumpy custard.' Victoria Wood 'I relished it...her personality is so powerful...There are so many things to admire about her.' Margaret Forster 'A classic of wartime literature...highly engaging, very moving. All Home Front life is here, especially the kitchen sink.' Simon Garfield"

A. L. Kennedy
"Nella's Last Peace is extraordinary - tender, intimate, striking, heartbreaking and witty - it grants us the lovely and dignified privilege of knowing a stranger's heart."

Gilda O'Neill
"A touching and startlingly frank portrait of adapting to life in post-war Britain. Truly fascinating. I enjoyed it as much as Nella Last's War."

Customer Reviews

Another great slice of 40s life
If you enjoyed the original 'Nella Last's War' then you will enjoy this second volume just the same. The end of hostilities doesn't mean the end of either Nella's writing, or her talent with words and observation. It also certainly does not mean the end of hardship and difficulty. I drove to Barrow on the strength of the first diary and was very fortunate to meet the present owners of Nella's old house - they actually bought it off the Last family forty years ago. Just sitting in her old living room, where all those words had poured onto the page, brought Nella and her time tangibly closer. I heartily recommend this book.

Last But Not Least
I bought this book for my Mum who was born in Barrow and lived there during the war.Nella writes with the pen of an ordinary woman in extraordinary times.Her writing is wonderful, from the description of an ordinary yet delightful lunch to her description of the countryside on a day out with a picnic, her fears for times to come and of course her family.Complemented with some black and white photographs,its amazing to think that if it had not been for the Mass Observation Project,we may have all been deprived of the world of Nella Last.

brilliant book
Brilliant follow up book to Nellas last war, if you enjoyed that you will enjoy this just as much.