Page 8 "...the quashed livelihoods of World War Two London and Dresden..."

From page 8 of the book:  "...While Owen complained of the mayor's lack of sensitivity toward Queens, Manhattan being the borough of choice, I pictured him--Owen--and myself standing amidst the quashed livelihoods of World War Two London and Dresden, with no hope in the world except for defeat, with no direction in our lives except toward sadness."