WELCOME
ISSUE 18
The Second World War began 80 years ago this September. In many ways, its legacy is still with us. From the conflict’s economic and social repercussions to its lasting geopolitical legacy, the conflagration of 1939–45 reshaped the global order to an extent unparalleled before or since. Yet equally important are the ways in which the war – its apparent narratives and iconography – have been used to define and shift concepts of national identity and belonging around the world.
This issue, our panel of experts investigates the factors behind our Second World War obsession, as well as the consequences of our failure to move on. That starts on page 40.
Elsewhere, we examine other echoes of that past. In our Long Read feature, Dan Stone explores the recent debate about whether US ‘border centres’ in Texas can accurately be referred to as ‘concentration camps’. Are there parallels in this history, and does our uncertainty point to a wider confusion about that past? You can read that from page 23.
The use and wilful misuse of language is, of course, a key theme in George Orwell’s 1949 novel Nineteen EightyFour, from political sloganeering to outright censorship. On page 66, Dorian Lynskey chronicles the real events and characters that inspired the dystopian classic.
If all that sounds rather bleak, there’s lightness, too. From pioneer women of the American West (page 56)
to a pioneering Islamic explorer of the medieval world (page 86), this issue is, as ever, a rich tapestry. As always, we’d love to hear what you think; please do share your thoughts via the address below.
Ma Elton Editor matt.elton@immediate.co.uk +44 (0)117 300 8645
BBC World Histories explores the history behind the headlines, and o ers fresh perspectives on our global past
MORE FROM US historyextra.com The website of BBC World Histories and our sister magazines, BBC History Magazine and BBC History Revealed, is packed with thoughtprovoking world history content.
The History Extra podcast Our twice-weekly podcast, featuring interviews with leading names including Serhii Plokhy and Emma Dabiri, receives almost two million listens a month. You can listen to episodes free via iTunes and other providers, or at historyextra.com/podcasts.
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BBC History Magazine Britain’s bestselling history magazine is available around the world, and is published 13 times a year in print and a wide range of digital editions. Turn to page 22 for our latest subscription offer.
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COVER ILLUSTRATION: DAVIDE BONAZZI–SALZMANART. THIS PAGE: GETTY IMAGES/STEVE SAYERS–THE SECRET STUDIO
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