Books

My most recent book published by the History Press is Exodus Burma – which is the story of the British escape from Burma as the Japanese invaded in 1942.

My first book, A Question of Conscience, has now been republished as We Will Not Go to War also by the History Press. It is a collection of stories of Conscientious Objectors from the First and Second World Wars told in their own words. I researched and collected most of the material myself and recorded the interviewees, or used extracts from their letters and diaries.

My second book, Voices From The Home Front, (David and Charles), was in a similar style although 95% of the material was drawn from contemporary sources in archives such as the Imperial War Museum. I also drew on the Imperial War Museum archive for material for a play for Radio 4 (A Change of Heart). This book has been added to and republished by Readers Digest as The People’s War.

I have also published some local history books, Lost Devon (Birlinn) and Lost Plymouth (Birlinn), have allowed me to explore the county through its history and archives.

Reviews for her books include:

“She paints a picture of the past that’s living colour,” Plymouth Herald on Lost Plymouth.

Reviews for Lost Burma:

“As one whose father made the terrible journey out of Burma I commend it to all readers.
I knew some of the story but Ms Goodall has filled in many of the gaps and the book is written from the human aspect rather than that of the Military.
It is very well written and the research involved must have been exhausting. Truly a forgotten part of WW2 the multiple stories recorded here, and the historical scene-setting to go with them, give a dimension not seen before in this part of our history.
Always harrowing and at times horrific the conditions faced by the many thousands of refugees can only be imagined. The incompetence and idiocy of the official administration (with a few wonderful exceptions) is almost unbelievable – a fact which led, probably, to many needless deaths. At the end of this book you may well agree with my sentiment: God Save the Tea Planters.
This book should be required reading for all politicians.”

“A compulsive read.”

“a pleasure to read – well-structured and illustrated throughout with photos both old and recent. The author has clearly done an enormous amount of research in the archives to unearth some amazing unpublished accounts and reports from the time.”

“I read the entire book in two sessions as it was impossible to put down.”

“I cannot recommend this book more highly”

“one of those rare books that gripped me throughout”

“Lost Devon by Felicity Goodall is a wonderful volume that will appeal to the Devon visitor or resident alike. It recaptures the history of the region with text, photographs and drawings in a really atmospheric way – the presentation of the book is very good. Of course, there have been a lot of changes over the centuries, but despite its title, this book also serves to show that a lot of Devon history has been preserved too and it adds a lot of extra interest/insight to places I’ve visited.”

“I’d be amazed if anyone with connections to Devon didn’t find this a fascinating book both to read cover to cover as well as dip in and out of when visiting.”

“It’s an absolute must for anyone who is interested in this point in history. Really great and highly recommended”