The Great war of 1914-18 was supposed to be 'the war to end all wars' and yet just twenty-one years later, on 3 September 1939, Australia was drawn once again into a European war.

"Australia 1939" vividly captures in words and photographs the essence of that momentous year in Australia's history, 1939. A year that stands as a watershed between the end of the Great Depression of the 1930s and the ensuing years of enormous change.

Entertainingly written, Australia 1939 gives us a glimpse of not only the grand public events like Joe Lyons; funeral, and the declaration of war, but the full range of everyday life. It describes the rich and varied life of 1939 from the films people watched like Cinesound's Gone to the Dogs to the crazy dances like the Lambeth Walk... (Cover).