This book is a departure from the normal histories in that it focuses on the viewpoint of ordinary citizens to the developing crisis in the run up to WW2 rather than from the perspective of the privileged and influential. The book draws heavily on the anxieties and experiences of ordinary Brits and Germans by liberal use of private diaries and personal recollections in addition to newspaper articles. Taylor shines a light on the central question – how was it that the majority of ordinary people wanted peace and safety but their governments ended up going into a disastrous war. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who wants an accessible, easy to read narrative of what went on in the immediate run up to WW2.