Free Boots & Back to Backs - Memories of a 1950's Childhood
Mar
2018
Born in 1946, Maureen Harvey was brought up in a poor working-class household in Birmingham at a time when the city was still a major manufacturing centre.
Despite her family's poor circumstances, the author recalls a childhood filled with family pride and neighbourliness; of making do with whatever came to hand; of being thankful for small mercies. This was an age where the deserving poor could write to the Daily Mail and receive a pair of serviceable boots free of charge; when as a small child Maureen would forage for coal and wood for fuel. The industrial working classes really were 'poor, but proud and honest'.
The perfect book for readers of nostalgic historical non-fiction, about life in Britain as the country emerged from the grim years of the Second World War.
Reviews
An amazing account of social history from the middle 40’s to the 60’s
Enjoyed every single page! Even though it describes the difficulties and the every day struggle of a not so fortuned family you can’t read enough of their stories.
Brilliant story and can relate to many of the hardships Maureen went through.
This book is captivating. I couldn’t put it down. This is not just a wonderful read, I think it’s an important book, because it puts in writing part of our social history that would otherwise be lost. It also shows just how indomitable is the human spirit. An inspirational memoir.