This book should be compulsory reading for all those who have no experience of wartime Christmases or even Christmas in the years following the end of the war when there was still little money, much hardship and Christmas was not overly commercial as it has become in the years since. Caroline Taggart has put together numerous accounts of wartime Christmases from people who lived, and in many cases suffered, throughout the war years. I read First Impressions and found myself becoming so engrossed as the stories unfolded I was extremely disappointed not to be able to read the entire book immediately. Christmas in wartime really does seem like a completely different world. Most of us can't begin to imagine what it must have been like, worry about safety and the progress of the war, worry about being able to get enough food and maybe a little bit extra to make the festive season special, especially for the children. People had to work long hours, queue for basic food then try to find a few little affordable extras as presents although many people who had the skills and the raw materials made presents. People in wartime were experts at recycling. The cover portrays happy, smiling people but the author quickly sets the record straight with personal accounts of less than happy Christmases. However most, but sadly not all, of the people described in this book do appear to have done their best to create a festive spirit. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this book.