Vera Mary Brittain, England’s Hour: An Autobiography 1939-1941

Lolly Ockerstrom (Park University)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1941

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Non-Fiction
- Autobiography (literary)

Resources

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Written in 1940 during the Battle of Britain and first published in 1941, Vera Brittain’s

England’s Hour

is a day-to-day account of life in England during the German Blitzkrieg of 1940. The account focuses on the everyday experiences of ordinary Britons. Brittain, who came of age during the Great War of 1914-18, and served on the front line as a nurse in France, Malta, and London, riveted a nation with her autobiography,

Testament of Youth

, which became a classic best seller upon publication in 1933. A dedicated pacifist and feminist as a result of her experiences in the First World War, Brittain spent her life as a writer and advocate for peace and social justice.

Having read history at Somerville College, Oxford, Brittain was deeply aware of the importance of recording history on a

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2632 words

Citation: Ockerstrom, Lolly. "England’s Hour: An Autobiography 1939-1941". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 September 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=23727, accessed 25 November 2024.]

Vera Mary Brittain, England’s Hour: An Autobiography 1939-1941

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