Thursday 10 May 2012

1923: A Memoir by Harry Leslie Smith


In the first volume of Harry Leslie Smith’s memoir, we learn a first account about what it was like growing up in Yorkshire, England in the 1920’s and 1930’s.  Born into poverty and the depression after the First World War in 1923, Harry does not get the best start in life. Harry and his father become distant and Harry takes his first job at only eight years old to help support the family. Not only is the family so deep in poverty but Harry is also starved of love and affection from his mother and neglected. Abandoned by his father Harry only companion is his older sister Mary, they dream of escaping their terrible lifestyle and for a better life.

The second part of the memoir Harry tells us about life in the RAF and about World War II Joining the RAF takes Harry away from Yorkshire and he shares his experiences about life at war and his life in the RAF.

From Barnsley, Bradford and Halifax to Hamburg this is a fascinating memoir. It is an honest account of what life was like for Harry. If like me you are interested in social history then this book is an interesting read. The book covers from Harry’s birth to him becoming a young man serving with the RAF. The book ends with you wanting to know what happens next and I can’t wait to read the next volume to find out what does happen next, and that hopefully things improve from the tragic life Harry has had so far.

To buy this book from Amazon UK (Kindle) click the following link:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0060CKF52

To buy this book from Amazon UK (Non-Kindle) click the following link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0987842501

To buy this book from Amazon US (Kindle) click the following link:  http://amzn.com/B0060CKF52

To buy this book from Amazon US (Non-Kindle) click the following link: http://amzn.com/0987842501


10 comments:

  1. Great review - have shared on Twitter!

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  2. Harry has had an amazing life - lovely review Nikki!

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  3. This was an amazing read! I've read Harry's sequel to this and loved it, too. My father fought during WWII but he never spoke about it. I had his military records but they were only the bare facts. Harry's book put a personal touch on what the men and women experienced.

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  4. 76% read and not wanting it to end. Grabbed it for $1.91 on Kobo!!! Glad I stumbled her ... a sequel?? Yes!!

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  5. I agree Melanie. It was the same in our family my Grandfather served in the army throughout World War II and also grow up in similar circumstances to Harry in Barnsley West Yorkshire, put it made him really uncomfortable to talk about his past and Harry's book really helped me to understand and to see what it must have been like.

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  6. Barnsley and West Yorkshire meant :)

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  7. 76% through and almost at the end and I can tell you that you will want to get straight on to the next volume of Harry's Memoirs. I can not wait to find out what happens next :)

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  8. I like the way the author is open-minded, showing both sides of conflict. Harry L. Smith makes us think about how war affects both side of any confrontation. Well written.

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