We Have Come to Be Destroyed

“A deep dive into how it felt to be young in Cold War Britain. With precision and flair, Tisdall invites us to see key themes such as permissiveness and the welfare state in an entirely new light. A masterclass in how to write children's histories.”—Rebecca Clifford, author of Survivors “The lively voices of children and teenagers on love, sex, school, politics, class and race are analysed with nuance and humanity in this beautifully crafted and important new book.”—Robert Gildea, author of Backbone of the Nation “A new history of postwar Britain driven by a quietly radical belief in the value of listening to what young people said about themselves. From teenagers penning angry letters in their bedrooms, to student unions leading school strikes, Tisdall offers a richly textured account.”—Andrew Seaton, author of Our NHS “This is a fascinating and deeply affecting book. Through scrupulous and diligent research, Tisdall has done much to capture and explain the history of young people and their experiences in Cold War Britain. A path-breaking contribution.”—Charlotte Lydia Riley, author of Imperial Island “A vivid, original, and moving story of life during the Cold War. The child’s-eye perspective is presented with astonishing sensitivity and perspicacity.”—Anna Neima, author of The Utopians“Extraordinary, privileged access to the inner worlds of a generation—like being ushered onto a balcony overlooking a thousand psyches.”—Francis Spufford, author of Golden Hill