A Shellshocked Nation: Britain Between the Wars

'I wish I’d had a history teacher like Turner, with his idiosyncratic gift for wit and tenderness, describing how things were done in the past by people who feel as knowable as if they were alive today. This is history at its most fun, immersive, human and revelatory.' The Spectator

'Britain in the 1920s and 1930s pops to life in this often very witty chronicle of that jittery time.' The Times

'Alwyn Turner is the master of funny, engaging social history.' Sunday Times

'Turner’s book, stacked high with surprises and eye-catching details, is a long tale of light and shade that rarely flags.' The Observer

'...A highly original history of the twentieth century, sketching a portrait of the interwar nation... this is the definitive story of Britain's most anxious era.' Daunt Books, Five Favourite Books of the Week

'[Turner] is brilliant at ferreting out telling details... that give you a real sense of everyday life. His latest book is such an enjoyable read, authoritative but full of funny stories.' The Times, Favourite Books of 2026

After the calamity of the Great War, there was a desire in Britain for escapist fun - the lights of the Jazz Age, radio comedies and the pictures were a welcome respite from the grim reality of the Great Depression. Yet the storm clouds were gathering, and Britain between the wars was a turbulent, restless place - and where the foundations of the modern nation were laid.

Combining cultural, social and political history, A Shellshocked Nation is the next instalment in Alwyn Turner's highly original history of the twentieth century, sketching a portrait of the interwar nation through its entertainments and scandals, its people and political crises. From the General Strike to the BBC, Irish Home Rule and the rise of fascism, this is the definitive story of Britain's most anxious era.