The most powerful story in stamp history, revealing the little icons at the heart of wartime propaganda. Today, European nations still use stamps to commemorate aspects of a nation's culture, history and achievements. During the Second World War, however, stamps were considered far more important in conveying political and ideological messages about their country's change in fortunes – whether it was as triumphant occupier, willing or unwilling ally, or oppressed victim. Some issues and overprints contained obvious messages, but many others were skillfully designed and subtle in their intentions. Stamps and their accompanying postmarks offer an absorbing and surprisingly detailed insight into the hopes and fears of nations at this tumultuous time. This remarkable collection examines and interprets the stamps of twenty-two countries across western and eastern Europe, revealing the aspirations, assumptions and anxieties of so many nations as their destinies hung in the balance. AUTHOR: Dr David Parker is a retired history lecturer. He has carried out historical and educational research, published widely, and spoke at numerous conferences. In the 1990s he led EU projects on education in the new Czech Republic. He has written many articles for journals and three books, including The People of Devon in the First World War for The History Press. His collection of stamps from the Second World War has been amassed over many decades. 100 colour illustrations