Enthralling
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What a fantastic read, it encaptures the reader & is divided into bitesize chunks enough to digest at occasional intervals. Woodruff has led an extraordinary life, the first book focuses on his life in Blackburn whereas this story continues the tale down n London & inevitably to Oxford where Woodruff established himself as a scholar. I thoroughly enjoyed this book & Woodruff's style of writing makes the reader feel at ease. It is written as if the author is talking to an old friend. Truly remarkable.
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History of an uncommon man
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I first heard excerpts from this on Radio 4's 'book of the week' and was so captivated I had to read the whole book. I was not disappointed. It's enjoyable, educational, and inspirational, a real delight. This is history as it should be, from the perspective of those that lived it. I found this book topical in light of events in the Middle East and the legions of armchair generals comparing the folly of appeasement in the late 1930s with the current situation. William Woodruff's account of what was actually happening in Britain at that time makes clear that while the mistakes of history may seem simple in retrospect, at the time things happen for a good reason. The highs and lows of the 'good old days' are bought to life in exciting fashion. Even for those with no interest in history this book is a wonderful read about a remarkable man who has lived a very full life. There is no superfluous waffle or self-pity, but a joie de vivre that comes across clearly despite the intervening years. A pleasure from beginning to end.
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Well read
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The combination of vivid description of the socio-political climate in the years and days leading to the second world war with the evocation of Billie's amazing lust for life is inspiring. I was left feeling that, with enough energy and industry, the world really does open itself up to you.
The description of his time at Oxford perfectly captures the mix of non-stop activity and timeless calm that make it such a magical place.
My grandparents were at the university at the same time as the author and I'm grateful to him for bringing their world to life. If the purpose of history is to help us learn the lessons of the past and apply them to the present, this book is the best piece of history I've read in a long time.
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AN AMAZINGLY POWERFUL READ
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Having only recently read William Woodruff's 'The Road to Nab End' - and having thoroughly enjoyed it - I was delighted to find the true life tale continuing in 'Beyond Nab End'. As an escapee from Lancashire to London myself, albeit in the 1990s as opposed to the period covered by these two books, I found them resonating with me. Powerful and well-written, to call this book a sequel is to convey a false sense of it being in some way more dilute. In fact, the book covers the period from Woodruff arriving in London's East End through his getting an education in Oxford against the odds and then travelling to war against Hitler and the consequences of that. Sharing Woodruff's life journey through these pages makes for an incredibly moving experience and one I wholeheartedly recommend.
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