Letters from the Blitz

When war was declared in September 1939, everyday life for British citizens changed almost overnight. At the time, Winifred Graville of Sheffield, a gardener, writer and speaker well known in her local area, wrote a series of letters to her American cousin in Penn Yan, New York, describing the hardships and typical daily struggles her city experienced during the Blitz. At a time when American public opinion was strictly isolationist, Winifred's cousin convinced the editor of a local newspaper to publish excerpts from 150 letters in the hope of influencing public opinion in a small way. In Letters from the Blitz, Richard MacAlpine has gathered the published letters into a fascinating collection. At times poignant, often humorous, and always beautifully written and full of detail, Winifred's letters clearly illustrate the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude of the British people during that difficult time and provide an insight into wartime life.

Rich MacAlpine spent his career as a teacher of American and World History, including Advanced Placement, for 33 years in Oneida High School in Oneida, New York 1968-2001. In retirement, he moved to Penn Yan, New York and became active in the Yates County History Center. Since 2008, he has been the editor and chief writer for Yates Past, the history centre's bimonthly publication. He has published five books.