Product Description

`We Can Take It!' shows that the British remember the war in a peculiar way, thanks to a mix of particular images and evidence. Our memory has been shaped by material which is completely removed from historical reality. These images (including complete inventions) have combined to make a new history. The vision is mostly cosy and suits the way in which the Britons conceive of themselves: dogged, good humoured, occasionally bumbling, unified and enjoying diversity. In fact Britons load their memory towards the early part of the war (Dunkirk, Blitz, Battle of Britain) rather than when we were successful in the air or against Italy and Germany with invasions. This suits our love of being the underdog, fighting against the odds, and being in a crisis. Conversely, the periods of the war during which Britain was in the ascendant are, perversely, far more hazy in the public memory.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95955 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From the Back Cover

We Can Take It

explores how the memory of the Second World War continues to affect British contemporary life and why the war effort holds an important place in British culture, history and national identity. Connelly explores the way in which the British memory of the Second World War was created during the war, and maintained after it through cultural artifacts such as films, comics, art, literature and toys.

Connelly moves away from recent interpretations of the British war effort which have suggested that the rosy vision of cohesion, solidarity and unity is little more than a myth. Britain’s role in the war is seen as something that we should be proud of, and need to come to terms with in order to eradicate problems in our national self-perception.

Customer Reviews

We Can Take It!
This book is of great necessity if you want to know about the British army during the Second World War. Connelly brings a fresh life to this subject, looking at morale, public feelings and bringing it all into a wider context that explains, essentially, what it means to be British. Connelly investigates topics that range from the evacuation of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the use of Commandos and special forces as well as looking at the Home Front.

This book is very well written, easy to read and extremely informative. Connelly draws from a wide range of sources and uses them extremely competently. Life is not complete unless you have read this book and is essential reading if one is reading about the British during the second world war.