A Brick on the Head
by Peter Waite
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Pub Date Sep 28 2022 | Archive Date Aug 04 2022
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Description
It’s not easy to pinpoint that very first memory of being alive. The author’s first recollection however was the sharp shock and pain of a carelessly tossed brick landing fair and square on his young head. He was only three years old, having been born in rural Lincolnshire just a few years after the end of World War Two.
This heart-warming story describes his early years in a Dad-built caravan parked on a bomb-site. These living conditions, that would nowadays be regarded as abject poverty, were accepted by his parents with cheerful determination. Here is a simpler life of hard work, few possessions, no plastic packaging and no internet.
The humour and also the benefits of a good state education shine through. Young Peter was first caned for ‘drinking ink’ in primary school and spent most of his time in college listening to music and chasing girls. He worked on a French farm, played drums in a jazz quartet, learned to ski and fly planes and skipper yachts. A love of the sea infuses the pages with both terrifying storms and blissful Mediterranean voyages.
Having failed in his ambition to become a pilot, Peter worked briefly in a cigarette factory, as a civil engineer and eventually started an international textile business from scratch. As a budding entrepreneur, he travelled widely, drumming up business, staying in cheap hotels and getting into hilarious scrapes along the way.
A Note From the Publisher
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781803139654 |
| PRICE | £4.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 200 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Louise G, Reviewer
An interesting account of the author’s life during the post WWII era and beyond. People interested in what it was like to live in England at that time will no doubt enjoy it.
isobel r, Reviewer
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.
I felt as though I was thrown back to my own childhood as I was also a child of the '50's! Such a carefree childhood but the author had an added element of the sea and sailing. His enthusiasm came through so well and I was quite sad when he didn't make the navy cut!!
He was also very fortunate in having such a lovely set of parents and the holidays they planned. What a wonderful and happy boyhood and this obviously helped to make him the man he became.
A lovely read, enjoyed most of this book.
Abby S, Reviewer
Really enjoyed going back in time post Ww11 .The author brings us into his family time his activities his life.Well written entertaining.#netgalley #matador
Kelly L, Librarian
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
The summary of the book sounded interesting to me. Parts of the book were fun, coming-of-age stories. Other parts of the book were a bit boring as some of the memories were "you had to be there" moments.
I did enjoy reading about his childhood and how free kids were to be kids at that time. It was very much a carefree and fun era with parents actually parenting their children and teaching them responsibility and respect.
Elizabeth Ann S, Reviewer
I found the beginning of this book more interesting but less so as it progressed. I am, more or less, the same age as Peter Waite so the start of the book evoked many memories of a childhood in the '50s, particularly the reference to Cremola Foam, wonderful stuff which is [probably disgusting to an adult palate. I enjoyed reading about his early adulthood and especially the time in France too but once it got on to skiing and sailing I'm afraid I somewhat lost interest a lot of which just seemed random tales of escapades within a group of friends. No doubt entertaining to those involved but really didn't mean much.
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