image sourced from original article at Alwyn Turner's A Shellshocked Nation: Britain Between The Wars offers a vivid and eclectic portrait of British society from 1918 to 1939. The book weaves together quirky anecdotes, cultural milestones, and the profound trauma left by the First World War, highlighting both the resilience and anxieties of the era. Turner explores the social upheaval, including strikes, unemployment, and the rise of new technologies, alongside the emergence of beloved cultural icons and innovations.
Despite moments of frivolity and invention, the narrative underscores the deep scars of war, the impact of the Spanish flu, and the pervasive sense of loss that shaped public life. The interwar years were marked by both escapism and uncertainty, as Britain navigated changing social norms, economic challenges, and the ominous approach of another global conflict. Turner's panoramic account captures the contradictions of a nation caught between nostalgia and modernity, hope and apprehension.
