Expertly contextualized by two leading historians in the field, this unique collection offers 13 accounts of individual experiences of World War II from across Europe. It sees contributors describe their recent ancestors' experiences ranging from a Royal Air Force pilot captured in Yugoslavia and a Spanish communist in the French resistance to two young Jewish girls caught in the siege of Leningrad. Contributors draw upon a variety of sources, such as contemporary diaries and letters, unpublished postwar memoirs, video footage as well as conversations in the family setting. These chapters attest to the enormous impact that war stories of family members had on subsequent generations. The story of a father who survived Nazi captivity became a lesson in resilience for a daughter with personal difficulties, whereas the story of a grandfather who served the Nazis became a burden that divided the family. At its heart, Family Histories of World War II concerns human experiences in supremely difficult times and their meaning for subsequent generations.

After years of leaving her husband and children behind in Seattle as she traveled back and forth to Russia pursuing a career, Elisa Brodinsky Miller discovers she's writing her own chapter in a book of three generations. Shortly after her father's death, Elisa discovers a cache of letters written in Russian and Yiddish among his belongings, which she quickly resolves to translate. Dated from 1914 to 1922 and addressed to her grandfather, Eli, in Wilmington, Delaware, the letters capture the eight long years that Eli spent apart from his wife and their six children who remained behind in the Pale of Settlement. With each translation, Brodinsky Miller learns more about this time spent apart, the family she knew so little about, and the country they came to leave behind, connecting her own experiences with those who came before her. This captivating memoir bridges the past with the present, as we learn about her grandparents' drives to escape the Jewish worlds of Tsarist Russia, her immigrant parents' hopes for their marriage in America, and now her turn to reach for meaning and purpose: each a generation of aspirations-first theirs, now hers.

Many of us have a curiosity about our family history, and may even have dabbled in research online or through our own family network. But for those of us who want to know what our ancestors were really like, how they lived and what their daily struggles and experiences were, the key often lies in our own county. In Worcestershire: A Family History Guidebook, professional local genealogist Vanessa Morgan takes us on a fascinating and easy-to-follow journey from deciding to research your Worcestershire ancestors right through to discovering more about how they lived and worked. What influence did industry have in their lives? Who were their employers? What historical events would have affected them? Family history isn't just about names and dates; this book will help you to put the flesh on bones.

'A triumphant family memoir' Hallie Rubenhold 'Powerfully told...an impressive work' The Times 'Gives a voice to the voiceless' Australian Book Review In this remarkable book, Carmen Callil discovers the story of her British ancestors, beginning with her great-great grandmother Sary Lacey, born in 1808, an impoverished stocking frame worker. Through detailed research, we follow Sary from slum to tenement and from pregnancy to pregnancy. We also meet George Conquest, a canal worker and the father of one of Sary's children. George was sentenced - for a minor theft - to seven years' transportation to Australia, where he faced the extraordinary brutality of convict life. But for George, as for so many disenfranchised British people like him, Australia turned out to be his Happy Day. He survived, prospered and eventually returned to England, where he met Sary again, after nearly thirty years. He brought her out to Australia, and they were never parted again. A miracle of research and fuelled by righteous anger, Oh Happy Day is a story of Empire, migration and the inequality and injustice of nineteenth-century England. 'A remarkable tale...drawing chilling parallels to the inequalities of our times' Observer

Dear Nan (sketch design) is an award-winning journal filled with over 60 fun and inspiring questions carefully created to inspire any grandmother to tell her story - probably one of the most valuable gifts you will ever buy. Everyone has stories to share about their own amazing life and it is so important to find ways to capture and treasure them. Dear Nan contains 60 carefully designed questions to ask her about her life. Ask her to complete it carefully, adding photos and memorabilia along the way. Find out how things have changed throughout her life, what things did she do as a child that are different from today. What were her own parents really like and what adventures has she had in her life. Discover what your own mum or dad was like when they were young! What about your own relationship with your grandmother, what are her favourite memories of the times you have spent together and is there any advice she would like to give you? When you get her completed journal returned to you, this will be one of the most emotional presents you have ever received. A great gift for Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day, her birthday, an anniversary, Christmas or just because you care ...

In January 1870, Johnny Arkwright was the largest landowner in Herefordshire. From the processions and balls which celebrated his coming of age, to facing financial ruin at his own sons birthday and the eventual sale of the estate, this book shows, through the example of a prominent family, the downfall of the landed classes.

'Life After You really is the book with everything. A real 5 star read.' bestselling author, Claudia Carroll What if the person you've lost, is the one you need to find? Milly Bryne's world came crashing down when she lost her beloved Dad and boyfriend in a matter of weeks. Losing her Dad broke her family. Losing her soulmate made her give up on life and love. After swerving from stability to chaos to despair, Milly finally believes she has her life back on track when the unexpected return of a familiar face to Dublin throws her life into a spin. Milly is forced to decide if her new life is the one for her, or if there is another path that will bring even greater riches of joy, excitement and fun. Life just isn't worth living if your heart isn't in it? Meaningful and moving, a beautiful story with life-affirming qualities. Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern and Cathy Kelly. What readers are saying about Life After You:'Life After You really is the book with everything. Love, loss, heartbreak, heart mending, friendship, family and so much more. All told with Sian O'Gorman's characteristic warmth and with a rich vein of honour running throughout. I can't tell you the glorious hours I passed in lockdown, completely gripped by this book. A real 5 star read.' Claudia Carrol

Kate Grenville's The Secret River was one of the most loved novels of 2006. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize and awarded the Commonwealth Writer's Prize, the story of William Thornhill and his journey from London to the other side of the world has moved and exhilarated hundreds of thousands of readers. Searching for the Secret River tells the story of how Grenville came to write this wonderful book. It is in itself an amazing story, beginning with Grenville's great-great-great grandfather. Grenville starts to investigate her ancestor, hoping to understand his life. She pursues him from Sydney to London and back, and slowly she begins to realise she must write about him. Searching for the Secret River maps this creative journey into fiction, and illuminates the importance of family in all our lives.