I’m in the middle of writing Book #2 in my WWI series. So although it’s 2012 in the real world, it’s 1918 in my head! 🙂 I think this time period is so fascinating – the clothes, the cars, the budding technology, the brutality of a war where tanks, airplanes and machine guns were new. I also love the lesser known pieces of history from WWI.
This is a propaganda poster from 1917. Both liberty bonds and propaganda play a part in my first book in this series, which explores the conflict of a schoolteacher and a German-American handyman who fall in love while anti-German hysteria divides the population of their small Iowa town.
I knew a little about the German prejudice during WWI from a couple other novels I’d read, but it wasn’t until I began researching it for this book, that I realized how rampant it really was. German-Americans changed their last names, German-sounding streets or cities were also changed, even sauerkraut became “liberty cabbage.” German-Americans were forced to buy liberty bonds, were tarred and feathered, were made to kiss the flag and subjected to numerous other injustices. It was both interesting and sad to read accounts of what many Germans here in the U.S. faced during the war.
How much do you know about WWI? Is it a time period that you find interesting or would like to learn more about? Like me, are you counting down the days until Downton Abbey starts again? 🙂
Giveaway Winners!
Thanks to everyone who entered the An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere giveaway. The winners of the two advanced reader copies are … karenk and Jes! I’ll be emailing you, ladies, for your addresses. Congratulations; it’s a great read. The book releases October 30th, but you can pre-order it on Amazon
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I grew up in England, so I was familiar with WWI and II. We studied it in school, but from a different pov than when I lived in Canada (in my teens). I knew nothing about what German-Americans went through. It's sad they were forced to do all that.
I love to go back to the Civil War era – But I love all war time eras.
People were different during big wars, life was different. War time is an excellent back drop for a novel.
Looking forward to Downton Abbey!
Yes, I'm totally impatient for DA season 3!
I love reading books set in both World War eras. WWI is especially intriguing–probably because there are so many more WWII books out there. So reading a WWI story is always eye-opening and cool. Can't wait for yours!
Stina – I'm totally jealous you grew up in England! 🙂 I've visited twice, years ago, but I so want to go back. I don't remember learning much about WWI in school here in the US. We spent way more time on WWII.
Loree – You're absolutely right that life and the world are different during a big war. I've loved digging in and learning more about this time period.
Melissa – Sure wish January would come, so we could find out what's in store for all the Downton Abbey gang! 🙂
Hey, Stacy, I LOVE WWI era, which is what I wrote my debut book about, so I absolutely fell in love with that period along with the Roaring 20s. I'll have to keep an eye out for your book …
Hugs,
Julie
Julie – Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment! The Roaring 20's are a fun time period too.