The remarkable history of the real 'Dad's Army', from the bestselling historian of 'The Secret Life of Bletchley Park'. 'One of my favorite historians' - Dan Snow. With the threat of invasion by Hitler's forces looming in 1940, men of all ages and backgrounds gathered under the aegis of the Home Guard. A volunteer force later called 'Dad's Army', at its peak they had nearly two million volunteers ready to defend every corner of the kingdom, including distinguished personalities such as George Orwell, A.A. Milne, and C.S. Lewis. Many women also participated, including the Women's Defence Force formed in 1941. Far from the stereotype of charming incompetence, the Home Guard was actually serious in its approach. Many volunteers had fought in the First World War, and radical veterans from the Spanish Civil War taught these men and boys new deadly guerrilla warfare techniques. Gruff villages were redesigned as bloody battlefields, with duties such as rifle and mortar training, night patrols, and defensive artillery – all on top of the volunteers' daily jobs. However, all of this was supported by a fundamental good spirit, with moments of lightheartedness and camaraderie that were vital to maintaining a much-needed spirit of resistance. Sunday Times bestselling author Sinclair McKay narrates the admirable story of these brave, highly trained, and often innovative men and women through original archival research, lively storytelling, and insights into the beloved TV comedy that has shaped the national memory of the Home Guard. With vivid characters and a high nostalgia factor, 'Dad's Army' tells this remarkable story in full color.