Austin J. Ruddy has compiled a fascinating collection of 100 objects, each telling a piece of the story of England during World War II -- that terrible, frightening, heroic time when the island nation stood firm against Hitler's forces.

For people at home in England, the threat of invasion was a constant fear, and the sound of German bombers could inspire instant dread. But the plucky Brits carried on as best they could, often paying a terrible price but carrying on all the same.

For The Home Front 1939-1945 in 100 Objects, Ruddy has collected one or more photos of 100 items that played some role in the war. And, in 100 two-page chapters, he explains each item's significance.

A simple enough concept. But brilliant, and so very interesting.

It's a book that's perfect for picking up and paging through, just a few pages at a time. You'll learn about evacuation labels, used to send more than 800,000 British children, plus mothers and pregnant women, disabled people and others, to safety during the Blitz; posters, leaflets and keepsakes designed to keep spirits high; food, fuel and clothing vouchers needed to ration scarce but vital resources; gas masks and air raid wardens' helmets; bomb shrapnel; German propaganda that was dropped on the countryside; shelters and bunkers; a variety of home-front uniforms; incendiary bombs and firehoses; a piece of glass from Coventry Cathedral....

The list goes on. Ruddy illustrates and explains every artifact, giving each one context.

Seemingly commonplace items take on special significance when you know their stories. And be sure, Ruddy isn't just listing facts here, he's telling stories. (Some of the items are more personal than others, such as his father's identity card.)

Combined, it's a collection of Britain's high points and low points during a war that should absolutely be remembered, and shared. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.