| What really happened on the Australian home front during the Second World War? For
the people of Melbourne these were years of social dislocation and
increased government interference in all aspects of daily life. 'On the Home Front'
is the story of their work, leisure, relationships and their fears-for
by 1942 the city was pitted with air raid trenches, and in the
half-light of the brownout Melburnians awaited a Japanese invasion. As
women left the home to replace men in factories and offices, the
traditional roles of mothers and wives were challenged. The presence of
thousands of American soldiers in Melbourne raised new questions about
Australian nationalism and identity, and the 'carnival spirit' of many
on the home front created anxiety about the issues of drunkenness,
gambling and sexuality. Kate Darian-Smith's classic and evocative
study of Melbourne in wartime draws upon the memories of men and women
who lived through those turbulent years when society grappled with the
tensions between a restrictive government and new opportunities for
social and sexual freedoms.
Contents:
Note on Conversion
Acknowledgements
Introduction to the Second Edition
On the Home Front
1. The City in War
2. Work
3. Housing and Homes
4. The Family
5. Entertainment
6. Sexuality and Morality
7. The Americans
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Reviews:
"This engaging book is an essential insight into how the Second World War transformed daily life in Australia ... Kate Darian-Smith's imaginative research and her wonderful eye for the detail animate every page." - Michael Cathcart
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