Never Again: Britain, 1945-1951

Published by Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1992, hardcover,illustrated, index, 543 pages, condition: new.

This is the first volume of a history of Britain from 1945 to the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. This book covers the years from 1945 to 1951 - an age dominated by the shadow of war - and creates a complete picture of life in Britain, embracing both high politics and everyday experience.

I was curious to know more about the time immediately before I was born and what the post-War era was like. This book is so readable and covers a large landscape. The photo on the front made me think they'd be more about the ordinary person, but I suppose 'they' don't write books, memoirs or keep diaries for later publication. The coverage of the political movers and shakers is brilliantly outlined, including key names and more obscure ones too. Hennessey met many of the people involved many years later and accesses some primary sources. For an overview of the surprising change to a socialism of sorts in the UK post WWII, the foundation of both the NHS and the Welfare Sate and Britain's place in the world with the Empire fading are all there. Hennessey talks about that alleged 'special relationship' with the USA, the beginnings of the Cold War. A very good read, a very through overview balancing viewpoints for a primer on this era, you cannot do better