Croydon Boy
First published in 2017, and re-released in 2024, 'Croydon Boy' is an account of what it was like growing up in South London in the 1950s and 1960s. A sequel, 'Man From Anywhere', was published in 2024 covering the period since the 1970s. Both books can be purchased direct from www.Lulu.com (which prints on demand), or through Amazon (which takes all the revenue). They are both available in paperback and are priced at £14.95 each.
CROYDON BOY: Growing up in post-war Britain
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Who was the best-selling recording artist in Britain in 1967? Not the Beatles, the Stones, the Who or the Beach Boys. It was Engelbert Humperdink.
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The reality of the sixties often fails to live up to the hype. Very few young Brits were tripping on acid, demonstrating in Grosvenor Square, or battling among the Mods and Rockers on Brighton beach. Peter Saunders wasn't - he was too busy fretting that he might never lose his virginity.
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Croydon Boy examines how dramatic post-war changes in family life, sexual mores, education, law and order, standards of living and personal freedoms impacted on the lives of ordinary kids growing up in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s.
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Paperback (revised edn, 2024, ISBN:9-781326-942717) £14.95 (290pp)
First published 2017 in hardback (no longer available)
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Purchase from Lulu.com (recommended) or Amazon
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Reader feedback:
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"It's a wonderful book and I loved the mix of sociology and autobiography"
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"Beautifully written, highly readable and immensely evocative"
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"I read it in one sitting and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. It made a pleasant change to read some 'warts and all' reminiscences rather than the more usual 'sanitised' approach"
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"An excellent read"
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"Has brought back many memories and I have been chuckling out loud many times. I am amazed at the detail of your recollection"
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"Wonderful, just like reliving the first 20 years of my life. I laughed out loud and cried"
"Such a riveting read. I thoroughly enjoyed the intertwining of personal and social histories"
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"A great piece of social history"
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"Laughed and cried all the way through it, it is a great book"
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"I couldn't put it down... exceptionally entertaining and a brilliant portrayal of life in the 50s and 60s, a really important comment on social history... a wonderful book, I thoroughly enjoyed it"
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"I got your book as a Christmas present from my wife...most enjoyable and a fascinating read...very enlightening"
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"I so enjoyed reading Croydon Boy. You helped me remember all those things I thought I'd forgotten...I have recommended this book to several friends"
"I cannot describe adequately the range of emotions I experienced when reading this wonderful book. I feel quite exhausted!... You have such sensitivity - and humour... So THANK YOU for a wonderful book... I will look forward to reading more of your writing"
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"It held my interest like no other... I absolutely loved it...Thanks so much for writing this great book"
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"Only halfway through your book & my 'Croydon girl' is asking 'What are you reading?' (in response to satisfied noises coming from her own Croydon boy). Great book mate from a bloke I'd share a pint or two with."
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"Although I am about 10 years younger than the author I found this a wonderful picture of life in Croydon in the 50's and 60's, and indeed of that time in England in general."
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"This is an excellent book especially if your familiar with the area. Great reading and fabulous pictures. Takes you back that’s for sure when we were children."
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"Bought this for my own ‘Croydon Boy’ for our anniversary. He’s hardly put it down & constantly reading bits out to me."
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"Croydon Boy was an excellent book, so much I can identify with in your book. Thank you for such wonderful reading material."
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"I was fascinated to read Croydon Boy. Fascinated in the true sense of that word. I was impressed by your writing, by your (diary-assisted) memory, by the interesting things you did, and your honesty. But horrified at the parallel memories of my own youth it recalled."
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"My dear friend and neighbour passed away on Sunday at his home. He could relate to so much of the picture you painted of growing up in Croydon in the 50s and 60s. He said, 'That's me! My life was just like that.' Whilst he was in hospital recently, I suggested that he might begin to write his memoir. I believe he thought you had already done that for him. I want you to know that your book brought him a great deal of joy."​
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MAN FROM ANYWHERE:
The Sequel to Croydon Boy
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The Sixties are over...
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The Beatles have disbanded. Ali has lost his heavyweight crown. Crystal Palace are back in Division III. Peter Saunders is married and has become a father. It's time he got his life sorted out.
But it's not easy. The country's in a mess. Inflation and unemployment are spiralling, and with the miners out on strike, we're all lighting our homes with candles.
Out of the East comes a leader who says she can restore peace and harmony to the land. The IRA tries to blow her up. In Germany, they tear down a wall. Academics say it's the End Of History.
But history doesn't end. Islamists hi-jack some jets and fly them into New York skyscrapers. The global financial system crashes. Scientists warn the planet is incinerating. Kids are addicted to their smart phones, Britain has torn itself into two over Brexit, a deadly virus has escaped from a lab in China, Russia has
invaded Ukraine, and men have started wearing dresses, claiming they are women.
How is a man supposed to sort his life out when
all around him, the world is going potty?
Paperback (revised edn, 2024, ISBN:9-781326-884413) £14.95 (299pp) Note: this is a complete rewrite of the earlier version, no longer in print, released in 2020
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Purchase from Lulu.com (recommended) or Amazon