The first volume from Kynaston's landmark, bestselling book "Austerity Britain 1945-51", this covers 1945-48. The hardback edition sold over 16,000 copies. Kynaston presents this period of British history through the eyes of those who lived then, from struggling housewife Judy Haines, to self-serving civil servant Henry St John, to the young Glenda Jackson, taking her 11-plus. Using mass observation, diaries, letters, newspapers and magazines from the time, it's an unsurpassed social history. 'A wonderfully illuminating picture of the way we were' Roy Hattersley, "The Times"

Presents a pictures of post-war Britain through the eyes of those who lived there - Judy Haines, a Chingford housewife, struggling daily with food rationing; Henry St John, a self-serving civil servant in Bristol; and, the young Glenda Jackson, taking her 11-plus.