British Women Go to War (1943, first edition)
J B Priestley's text, accompanied by 49 colour photographs by Percy G Hennell
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
Undated [1943]. First edition, first printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. 25.5 × 19.5cm, 59pp.
From the dustwrapper, "This is first of all a pictorial record of the part played by our women and girls in the National War effort. Its 49 superb colour photographs cover the whole field of women’s war activities, and are in themselves a unique record. They are the result of many months’ work and travel by the photographer, Percy Hennell, who has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented to him by this magnificent subject. Not only has he taken care to present typical features of the women’s war effort but he has been successful throughout in obtaining coloured photographs that compose themselves into real pictures.
The text is by J. B. Priestley, who has brought to the task his very full knowledge of our war effort, a knowledge gained in his various propaganda activities for readers and listeners overseas. And he has, of course, brought to it the imagination of a novelist and a dramatist. His running commentary makes enlightening and often humorous references to the actual subjects of the photographs, bringing their activities to life. In addition he has told the story of the mobilization of womanpower, of the difficulties that were met and overcome, giving the reader a clear picture of the whole intricate subject. He also discusses at some length the influence of war work upon the mass of women and gives some indication of how these women will regard the future."
Condition
A fair copy of a rare book, in the original dustwrapper. The book: the covers have mottled fading to both boards and the spine but the contents are in very good condition with clean pages and secure binding. The dustwrapper is tatty, with heavy creasing to the edges and fold, and some smaller areas of loss at the spine ends and again along the edges. It also has some spotted marking to the front. It has not been price-clipped and is now within a (loosely fitted) protective sleeve.
Books are currently zero-rated for duty (as of January 2026), so the price shown is the price you pay.
Price
£30.00
