Books

Posters of World War Two

This handsome illustrated volume comprises a careful selection of more than two hundred posters which appeared at the time of the Second World War.

Judd draws his material from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, the United States, Japan and other participants on the war, in order to provide dramatic social and political comment on the period from the eve of war to the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Nuremberg trials. He shows how the counties involved launched their recruiting campaigns, boosted war production and made war economies and initiated savings schemes; how they presented and disseminated news of the major events of the war. He shows how they attacked fifth columnists, persecuted minorities, and sought to create ideological solidarity; and illustrates how they communicated with their enemies and allies. As much information as possible is given about the individual posters - many of them unpublished since the war years - the country of origin, date and distributor.

All foreign language slogans are translated. Here is a uniquely compelling portrait of the fears, hopes and ambitions of mankind at war.

Reviews

"There are arresting illustrations…a fascinating documentary of wartime attitudes."
- Sunday Telegraph

"An intelligently compiled survey."
- London Evening Standard