Phoney Wars

Phoney Wars offers a profound exploration of New Zealand's experience during the Second World War, delving into the lives of everyday New Zealanders who faced extraordinary circumstances. Authored by Stevan and Hugh Eldred-Grigg, this paperback edition provides a unique perspective that transcends traditional military history. Unlike typical narratives that frame the war as a clear dichotomy of 'good' versus 'evil,' Phoney Wars challenges these chronological myths and delves into the socio-cultural fabric of the time. Readers will discover how the war not only affected soldiers but also reshaped communities, revealing profound divisions among the populace. The book captures a range of human emotions and experiences, including hopes, fears, pleasures and hardships, as well as the controversies surrounding rationing and civilian life during wartime. With 424 pages packed with eye-opening anecdotes and historical insights, this compelling read is essential for anyone looking to understand the multifaceted impact of the Second World War on New Zealand society. Explore how propaganda influenced public sentiment and the moral complexities of New Zealand's involvement. With dimensions of 170 x 240 mm, this engrossing narrative invites reflection on history and human nature alike. Phoney Wars is more than a history book — it is a mirror held up to a nation's soul during one of its darkest hours, urging us to rethink our understanding of the past. Perfect for history enthusiasts, students, and anyone interested in New Zealand's role in the global conflict, this is a must-have addition to any book collection.

Authors: Stevan Eldred-Grigg, Hugh Eldred-Grigg Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm
Pages: 424
Publication Date: 13-10-2017

Phoney Wars looks at the lives of New Zealanders during the greatest armed struggle the world has ever seen: the Second World War. It is not a political, economic or military history; rather it explores what life was like during the war years for ordinary people living under the New Zealand flag. It questions the war as a story of ‘good’ against ‘bad’. All readers know that the Axis powers behaved ruthlessly, but how many are aware of the brutality of the Allied powers in bombing and starving ‘enemy’ towns and cities? New Zealand colluded in and even carried out such brutal aggressions. Were we, in going to war, really on the side of the angels? Contrary to the propaganda of the time - and subsequent memory - going to war did not unite New Zealanders: it divided them, often bitterly. People disagreed over whether or not we should fight, what we were fighting for and why, who was fighting, who was paying, and who was dying. In this provocative and moving book, Stevan and Hugh Eldred-Grigg explore New Zealanders’ hopes and fears, beliefs and superstitions, shortages and affluence, rationing and greed, hysteria and humour, violence and kindness, malevolence and generosity, to argue that New Zealand need not have involved itself in the war at all.