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The Island of Extraordinary Captives
A True Story of an Artist, a Spy and a Wartime Scandal
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Check link for latest rating. ( 748 ratings, 153 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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A gripping untold war story: using exclusive new archive material, letters and diaries, this is the story of the prisoners of war in internment camps during the Second World War.
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Description
WINNER OF THE WINGATE PRIZE
'Vivid and moving' Max Hastings, Sunday Times
'Excellent . . . a powerful tribute' Guardian
In the summer of 1940, faced with national paranoia, Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered the internment of all German, Austrian and Italian citizens living in Britain. Most were refugees who had fled Nazi oppression. They now faced imprisonment by the country in which they had staked their trust.
Among the inmates of Hutchinson Internment Camp, on the Isle of Man, were world-renowned artists, musicians and intellectuals: despite their unjust captivity, they remained resilient, transforming their prison into an artistic and academic community.
Meticulously researched and grippingly recounted, The Island of Extraordinary Captives tells the story of history's most remarkable group of prisoners - and how they found hope even in the most challenging of circumstances.
'Riveting . . . an account of cinematic vividness' New York Times Book Review
'Eye-opening, insightful and brilliantly written' Daily Mirror
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Island of Extraordinary Captives by Simon Parkin is praised for its meticulous research and compelling narrative that brings to light a lesser-known aspect of Britain's wartime history. Reviewers highlight its vivid storytelling and how it illuminates the injustices faced by interned individuals during the war, showcasing human resilience and creativity. The book is lauded for its insightful examination of the period and for serving as a timely reminder of the dangers of nationalism and xenophobia.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529347234
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 08 June 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Sceptre
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 32.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 192.0mm
Weight: 320g
Pages: 448
About the Author
Simon Parkin is an award-winning British writer and journalist. He is a contributing writer for the New Yorker and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society (RHS), and is the author of A Game of Birds and Wolves and The Island of Extraordinary Captives, which was a New Yorker Book of the Year and won the Wingate Literary Prize. He lives in West Sussex.
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