Voices from Britain : Broadcasts from the BBC 1939-45

At 11.15 a.m. on Sunday 3 September 1939 Neville Chamberlain spoke to the Nation: 'I am speaking to you from the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street.

This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final Note stating that, unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us.

I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.' This momentous speech is just one of the many carefully selected speeches.

These, put together with craftsmanship, portray the Second World War from a fascinating perspective where the reader obtains a sense of involvement and immediacy.