England at War. Ernie Pyle

England at War is a book of reports by Ernie Pyle, an American war correspondent who was in the British Isles in 1940–41, before the United States entered the war. In his writings, Pyle described how England experienced the “Blitz” — the air war waged by Nazi Germany mainly against the civilian population of London and other cities.

Pyle writes enthusiastically about the daily life of the British under the pressure of the danger of air raids and night bombings, about the curfew and the light-blocking regime that forbade even lighting your favorite cigarette. But mostly, the reporter tells about the vitality and humor of the British, who were even able to love the shelter, where you could get acquainted, play cards and simply share your experiences with others. Despite the gloomy background, this book is imbued with optimism, because the British nation was not broken by any bombings and blackouts, so this historical example is especially important for us.