In “Oxford’s War” by Ashley Jackson, the city’s role in World War II comes to life. From pre-war Oxford’s quaint medieval roots to the bustling wartime transformation, Jackson reveals Oxford’s significant contributions. The city housed refugees, produced military hardware, and played a crucial role in intelligence and propaganda efforts. Oxford University Press shifted its focus to war work and helped produce vital cryptographic materials. Oxford’s scientists led advancements in radar technology, nuclear fission, and medicinal penicillin. The postwar world was also being shaped, with scholars planning for decolonization and social welfare programs. Oxford’s remarkable wartime efforts, highlighted with quirky anecdotes, truly showcase the city’s unique history.
https://literaryreview.co.uk/we-shall-fight-in-the-buttery