{"product_id":"basingstoke-at-war-korrine-leigh-smith-9798243652698","title":"Basingstoke at War: Life in Basingstoke and Its Villages During the Second World War","description":"\u003cb\u003eBasingstoke at War\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLife in Basingstoke and Its Villages During the Second World War (1939-1945)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Second World War transformed Britain - but its impact was felt most deeply at local level.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eBasingstoke at War\u003c\/i\u003e, the story of the conflict is told through the lived experiences of people in Basingstoke and its surrounding villages. Rather than focusing on military strategy or distant campaigns, this book explores how war reshaped everyday life on the home front.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders will discover: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow evacuation changed schools, homes, and village life\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat rationing, shortages, and \"make do and mend\" meant in daily practice\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow civilians experienced air raids, blackout restrictions, and constant uncertainty\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe vital role of the Home Guard, ARP wardens, and civil defence volunteers\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow women's lives and expectations changed during wartime\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe arrival of American forces and their impact on local communities\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eWartime childhood, loss, remembrance, and the complex emotions of VE Day\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow peace brought rebuilding, adjustment, and lasting social change\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eCovering Basingstoke alongside Whitchurch, Overton, Oakley, Sherborne St John, Worting, Chineham, and Old Basing, this book paints a detailed picture of wartime North Hampshire from 1939 to 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWritten with care, sensitivity, and respect for lived experience, \u003ci\u003eBasingstoke at War\u003c\/i\u003e is a tribute to the resilience of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances - and a valuable record of a defining period in local history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Korrine-Leigh Smith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798243652698\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/12\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 54\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.19lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.13d","brand":"Korrine-Leigh Smith","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48997375738111,"sku":"9798243652698","price":10.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/basingstoke-at-war-korrine-leigh-smith-9798243652698","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}