Steady Past Your Granny's

STEADY PAST YOUR GRANNY'S by Philip Whiteland

Philip - I'm so glad I selected this book myself from the multitude that wink at me on Authonomy behind the the host of earnest authors trying to catch my eye with their tempting offerings. I noticed a red arrow alongside it in the Weekly Rankings and Backed it in the hope of helping it change to a green upward pointing one. Pure unadulterated nostalgia - so good for the soul - and stories that will be cherished by your family and friends when you are gone. Don't go yet: your writing talent has more to offer if I am not mistaken. All the ingredients that make a great book are here. Backed.

Tony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1,2 & 3.

One of the funniest books on Authonomy.

Philip, I have been feeling happily self-indulgent, reading your accurate account of 50's and 60's laced with natural comedy - the essence of a good story. I'll be coming back to this, whenever I feel like a little nostalgia, glad that each chapter can be read and enjoyed on its own.
Backed. Ann Mynard (Windshadow)

I absolutely love this book! I grew up in the 60s and 70s but this has brought back so many memories - so much so that I copied pages and sent them to my older brother who eats nostagia for breakfast! Thanks for an entertaining read and so glad it is all uploaded so I can return for mor eof this gem! BACKED with pleasure!

Liz
The Cheech Room

Philip, you've stolen my life. We're obviously of similar age and background, but the sheer delight of reading your reminiscences brought back so much of my own youth. Thank you. Snort snappy chapters and a guaranteed smile on every page. I've read it all, loved it all. Nothing more to say. Backed, obviously.
Jared.

I loved your reminicences as they struck a chord with mine. I also loved the way you write- it seems so effortless. I hope that , if you have the time, you'll like looking back to the nineteen-fifites once more with Olwen although she is pure fiction I'm afraid. Good luck with this. K.J.

Steady Past Your Granny, by Philp Whiteland
You have a gift for evoking the past, or more importantly what it felt like to be a child of that time. I too spent most of my spare time on "The Wreck" in our town and you captured it to a T. I shall read on when I have time

STEADY PAST YOUR GRANNY'S by Philip Whiteland

Philip - I'm so glad I selected this book myself from the multitude that wink at me on Authonomy behind the the host of earnest authors trying to catch my eye with their tempting offerings. I noticed a red arrow alongside it in the Weekly Rankings and Backed it in the hope of helping it change to a green upward pointing one. Pure unadulterated nostalgia - so good for the soul - and stories that will be cherished by your family and friends when you are gone. Don't go yet: your writing talent has more to offer if I am not mistaken. All the ingredients that make a great book are here. Backed.

Tony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1,2 & 3.

One of the funniest books on Authonomy.

Backed with confidence! Tom Ryerson (Carnal Wreckage)

Philip, I have been feeling happily self-indulgent, reading your accurate account of 50's and 60's laced with natural comedy - the essence of a good story. I'll be coming back to this, whenever I feel like a little nostalgia, glad that each chapter can be read and enjoyed on its own.
Backed. Ann Mynard (Windshadow)

What a brilliant set of stories, these were strangely introspective - Great read!!

This is just terrific stuff. Each page had me smiling like a Cheshire Cat (and I'm from Cheshire and own a cat so I should know). What a wonderfully rich, amusing and undeniably nostalgic story this is. More than happy to back this.
Carl
The Time Hunters

Philip, your prologue and first chapter make for a smooth read. Almost seems like a good piece of fiction, if you don't mind that comparison. Nothing to nitpick there.

Happy to back this.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Phil, this is utterly charming. Each page I have read literaaly brims with wit, humour and insight. There is absoltely nothing to nit-pick. Congratulations. Carl. The Time Hunters

This is very well done. I think with work like this there has to be something to make the reader interested. You manage to not only tell us your story, but to make us smile along the way (getting from piont A to point B via points C and D!) This is very well written.

Lockjaw

Dear Philip, Non-fiction & biography is where it's at! :) I love that. Your story is a good read because you create interest which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm BACKING/COMMENTING on your book to help advance it. :) PLEASE take a moment to BACK/COMMENT on my TWO Books, ... "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" ... and the UNEDITED version? ... "Tell Me True Love Stories"
Thanks, Susie :)

This is a book that will be treasured by your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. (or nieces, nephews, cousins' kids, whatever.) I am glad you have it published. Technically good, but probably only of fairly mild interest to most of us. But I know I treasure my father's autobiography, and I have no doubt that your book will also be treasured. Marj.

I absolutely love this book! I grew up in the 60s and 70s but this has brought back so many memories - so much so that I copied pages and sent them to my older brother who eats nostagia for breakfast! Thanks for an entertaining read and so glad it is all uploaded so I can return for mor eof this gem! BACKED with pleasure!

Liz
The Cheech Room

This is a good series of stories. It makes me think of the stories my favorite uncle used to tell when I was growing up - stories I could have listened to for hours. You have a delightful sense of humor. Makes this a good read. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Dear Philip, Thanks for your book. :) It's hard to be vulnerable. My Memoir is He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.
I also have my 2nd book on which is the unedited version,
"Tell Me True Love Stories of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
Hope you'll get a chance to look at them. Love, Susie :)

Very, very funny. Backed with tears, Barry
(Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys)

this is so funny, i have tears running down my face and my sides hurt from laughing so much, i have now read two very funny books today, what a good day im having.
this is priceless, its just so good, backed

alison

Childhood affects people in different ways; this work is a delight from the beginning. On second thought, children share many of the same experiences, to convey them with humor, well that's entertainment. Backed Chuck (Paperboy Adventures)

I like memoirs, and I think this one could do with some tightening up on the grammar and punctuation front. I think the idea of putting together a collection of articles is, although not a new idea, a good one. But this still reads like a first draft to me, and isn't quite ready. Good luck with it. R

I thought this was sweetly funny and I enjoyed reading through your snapshot endearing memories. Backed with pleasure, Sana

Backed!

Lorrii

This is the sort of book that is always accompanied by shouts of OH We did that, had that, believed that - a bit like a trip to the science museum (yes I am of a certain age). Your writing is very proficient and this sort of lovely wandering trail back through time will always have an appeal I think. Maybe I'm wrong but I am going to back you, it will be tomorrow now as I have just done a tidy up on my shelf and I think it a little rude to pop people on and off too quickly :-) - Diane

Well-written and fun to read.
backed
Genevieve

I love the thoughts. You made me laugh. Thank you Phillip.

Tope Apoola]
Times of the supermen

OK, that's just hilarious. I was too busy laughing to notice if you did anything you might get your writing hand slapped for. Probably not. But it was hard to see through the tears of laughter.

Wonderful.

Leah Petersen - Mourn the Sun

Philip, this is the first time on Authonomy that I've laughed out loud when reading someone's book. I'll gladly back the book and keep it either shelved or on my WL so I can come back for more. Good luck with it.
Xerxes

Phillip, I so enjoyed your book, bringing back memories of my childhood. Same era, different country, but I did live in England from 1967 and for me it was the introduction to television and snow. I backed your book.

Anna

Great insight into a forgotten era.

Nicely written and carries the reader along with it.

Great work

Melxx
UNICORN

Dear Philip,

Steady Past your Granny's - very accessible and quite charming. What we assume are the facts of life early on marks us. Your humour is catching.

Pia (Course of Mirrors

Great 'voice' and an extremely funny story tinted with the rose-glow of nostalgia. A truly charming work and Backed without reservation. Well done, Mr W! :)

Stumbled across this and think it's witty, flowing easy to read and has a great theme.

backed for sure
sue sohn

A wonderfully nostalgic and funny read, packed with charm and personality. You deserve to do well with this. Backed. Clare (Second Lives)

From someone born in 1970, at the same time as England were being knocked out of the World Cup (almost precisely), this is marvellous. I enjoy your effortless style and philosophical wanderings. Onto my shelf it goes.

Philip, you've stolen my life. We're obviously of similar age and background, but the sheer delight of reading your reminiscences brought back so much of my own youth. Thank you. Snort snappy chapters and a guaranteed smile on every page. I've read it all, loved it all. Nothing more to say. Backed, obviously.
Jared.

BACKED

I get very little from comments about my own book, nowadays. Some people like it, some don't. Some people are too frightened to leave genuine feedback, while others seek to enforce their own style upon me. I want to get to the Ed's Desk to get professional comment. I would rather spend 30 quid than do all this reading and backing. I have got everything I want out of Authonomy community already. So I am backing your book so that you can reach the Ed's desk and get professional feedback, instead of the platitudes and devious backings that account for 80% of backing you receive. Only 20% of comments are genuine, and will add value to your work.

Now, who am I not to back you? I am not godlike. Your work might be flatly written, unoriginal or even down right bad. It could be wonderful. But in my experience, only you can be honest with yourself about your writing... and that is what matters.

So, I am backing you so you can reach the Ed's desk.


There you are.

BACKED
Hope you reciprocate.

This is a wonderfully written collection of memories and musings on the past, the life and everything. I don't know why I started reading this, but I did and I'm glad. Your voice is distinct, witty, easy to listen too. Your stories (recollections) are charming and philosophical, but not overly so. I was born and grew up at a different time and in a different country, but I felt I could relate to many things you write about (for one, I was born on Tuesday!)

Already backed,
Ana G. Ram

Have you been taping my memories? I so relate to all this! My Gran used to have different colour rinses each week and, as she used to meet us from school every day, (my Mum having another few siblings at home), we would cringe as our mates wondered aloud what colour it would be this time! Ah, wonderful! Happy to back on grounds of nostalgia, Jim D Serpent's Blood

Hi Phil, I love your humour, the bit about the tramp in the wood was priceless. I enjoy the reminiscing feel to this story telling style, the humour helps the pace and the pure feelin of "ya I know what he's talking about there" makes this a compelling read. The thing I found great is it crossed generations, I am a couple of decades after you but I know what you mean about kids embellishing stories and about the summers always being long and hot! This was really an enjoyable and it's on my shelf. Helena (A Load of Rubbish)

That was a trip down memory lane. The "wreck", Sunday lunches, steam trains, bomb sights...I even had a scooter, Woodbine smoking granny...that was mine, but I bet you knew one.
Backed, of course.

Thoroughly enjoyable; though a child of the 70's/80's, there was still plenty of personal resonance; I too was a flush racer, as a small boy I thought the cacophony of rushing water would drown out the childcatcher was clearly secreted behind a door waiting to pounce.

Lovely, nostalgic stuff even if it is nostalgic for a time some years before I was spawned; I fear that the market for nostalgia is quite ful so it may be difficult to get this where it deserves, i.e on high street book shelves, bu tin the meantime my virtual book shelf will have to do - hopefully it will help get it on the real ones!

Cheers

Stanny

Phillip,
This is a very jolly and fun book from every perspective. I found myself waiting for the next pun or funny catchphrase from yesteryear. All good stuff. The writing is excellent and the flow is good too. What more can you say about a book that should really be on the bookshelves of your local Waterstones sometime soon I hope.
Mark
Another Day in Paradise

This is such an enjoyable book. You must already know, of course, that it's so well written it needs no advice from me or anyone else. What remains to be said? Nothing, except to mention some of my favourite bits. You write in a witty, laid back style, with gentle humour on every page, and nostalgia coming out of our ears. 'Timidity on the staircase does not fit well with panic-stricken flight;' ' "There's a man outside whistling at me."..."Well, I suppose you ought to be flattered." ' I'd better not just go on and on. The title of this book was what first attracted me. I associated it with 'Your granny on a scooter,' a catch phrase of some years ago, but I'm glad to have it more accurately explained in Chapter Seventeen. It's nice to hear, too that the old WC found a resting place where it could be valued. Oh, and I must mention 'Orchid you not,' your dreadful pun on the old Frankie Howard catch phrase. Wonderful! Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

Do you know, until I read it here I had forgotten that we had a bread man come to the door. In fact, it made me remember so many things. the coalman and the bunker in the back yard, even a rag and bone man came down the street. I was a mid 50's baby, but, still caught the tail end of the good old days. This takes me back. Definitely shelved. Lorraine. x

Philip, this is good. Highly intelligent, insightful, memory provoking, nostalgia provoking. Childhood fear of the dark, fear of the bathroom "growler", and so on and so on. Backed.
Thomas J Winton
(Beyond Nostalgia)

Hi Philip,
This is a really enjoyable read. It has a lovely 'voice' to it - and allows the reader to get swept up in the life you are describing. There is an easy, gentleness to it - good, strong humour, and a solid dose of realistic nostalgia.
An excellent achievement.
All the best
Steve

Hello Philip,

I am not a reviewer. So I will put it in simple words.
This is a great piece of nostalgic tales / observations. Humorous, eloquent and wonderfully set.

Backed
Lalit Navani ( Femme Fatale )

So much of this rings true, though you were born earlier than me. My own memories are suspect and I could relate to your remarks on this. Also, we had our own version of 'the wreck' and so on. A charming book that I hope does well for you.
Annabelle
DISAPPEARING OFF THE MAP

The book can be read for those born much later. You explain the time so well.
It was before computers caught kid's attention and time. It's sad that they may be missing out on hanging out and finding things to do.
Beautifully written. Thank you for writing this.

Like you, I was born in 1954, so I am also a child of the 1950s and 1960s, except my childhood was split into before 1964, 1964–6 and afterwards. I am always fascinated by recollections of the past, especially of the period of my childhood, both because of my own experience and because I'm a historian. Narrative history is particularly fascinating because it is unique to the individual. Then, it comes down to how the narrative is told. You have a very engaging style which draws in the reader. Happy to give you a space on my shelf.