Set against the backdrop of 1942, the narrative explores Lena Horne's groundbreaking achievement as the first black star to secure a long-term contract with M-G-M, a leading Hollywood studio. The story highlights how M-G-M crafted her image into that of a movie goddess, showcasing her influence and the challenges she faced in a racially charged industry. Horne's journey is not just about fame but also about breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations in cinema.
In 1942, Lena Horne made history as the first Black star to secure a long-term contract with M-G-M, a leading Hollywood studio. The studio played a pivotal role in shaping her image, elevating her to the status of a movie goddess. This narrative highlights her groundbreaking achievements and the transformation she underwent in an industry marked by racial barriers.
A short, compelling history of Black Britons during the First World War, for readers aged 8 to 12
The story of Black British theatre at its most radical, entertaining and profound - told through the lives of its great trailblazers
The trials and triumphs of Britain's black community during the Second World War
A long overdue exploration of gay representation on British TV from its 'golden age' to the launch of the liberal Channel 4
Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, Stephen Bourne’s War to Windrush explores the lives of Britain’s immigrant community through the experiences of Black British women during the period spanning from the beginning of World War II to the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948. In those short years, Black British women performed integral roles in keeping the country functioning and set the stage for the arrival of other black Britons on the MV Empire Windrush. The book shows first-hand what life was like in Britain for black women through photography and evocative prose. War to Windrush retraces the history of those women who helped to build the great, multicultural Britain we know today. It is a celebration of multiculturalism and immigration, much needed in today’s political climate.
This collection presents a series of papers from 1880 focusing on the interconnections between trade, population, and food within the context of economic statistics. It provides a historical perspective on these critical themes, reflecting the economic thought of the time and offering insights into how demographic factors influence trade and food supply. The reprint maintains the original quality, making it a valuable resource for those interested in economic history and statistical analysis.
In this astonishing new history of wartime Britain, historian Stephen Bourne unearths the fascinating stories of the gay men who served in the armed forces and at home, and brings to light the great unheralded contribution they made to the war effort. Fighting Proud weaves together the remarkable lives of these men, from RAF hero Ian Gleed - a Flying Ace twice honoured for bravery by King George VI - to the infantry officers serving in the trenches on the Western Front in WWI - many of whom led the charges into machine-gun fire only to find themselves court-martialled after the war for indecent behaviour. Behind the lines, Alan Turing's work on breaking the `enigma machine' and subsequent persecution contrasts with the many stories of love and courage in Blitzed-out London, with new wartime diaries and letters unearthed for the first time. Bourne tells the bitterly sad story of Ivor Novello, who wrote the WWI anthem `Keep the Home Fires Burning', and the crucial work of Noel Coward - who was hated by Hitler for his work entertaining the troops. Fighting Proud also includes a wealth of long-suppressed wartime photography subsequently ignored by mainstream historians. This book is a monument to the bravery, sacrifice and honour shown by a persecuted minority, who contributed during Britain's hour of need.
The untold story of one of Britain's most versatile singers who thrilled audiences around the world during the 1920s and '30s. Includes up to fifty rare photographs and extracts from the author's private collection.