RURAL LIFE IN EARLY 20th CENTURY ENGLAND
Book Publisher, TABB HOUSE has published two country novels by local author, Thomas Hudson who lives in Odell.
WHEELSTOCKS AND PLOUGHSHARES is the story of a wheelwright’s apprentice, called Abraham Staughton. It depicts the incidents of his daily life in a rural community; falling asleep after haymaking and cider, with Eva who adored him and Sally who was serious about him, which led to trouble; his turn as a chariot driver, to rescue Sally from a bull, and his varied work with farm stock, timber and the tools of his trade, as gradually he absorbs the skills of his trade. To quote Marilyn Warnick, "This is a delightful novel, well written, very informative, sometimes amusing and sometimes quite moving"
GUNSTOCKS AND DOVETAILS tells how Abraham is drawn into the maelstrom of the First World War. As a soldier in the Royal Army Medical Corps he sees the sufferings of the wounded, attempts an escape into the world of the French civilians still living in the area, and is involved in an episode on ‘secret service’ with unexpected consequences. The war makes a rift in his life, which causes a change of direction after he comes back to Nether Oldston, rural life and the wheelwright’s shop. This involves him in the new ideas of the 1920’s and part time training as a furniture craftsman, before the pattern of the future is revealed. "Gunstocks follows Abey’s life in a well written and highly enjoyable series" Bedfordshire on Sunday
Ruth Lumley Smith of ‘The Ecologist’ said about the first instalment of Abey’s life story, "Here are described the lives of the villagers, simple and eternal patterns of comedy and tragedy".
Both books are are available in hardback and are obtainable from Town and County Books.
An ideal Birthday or Christmas gift for anyone interested in the history of rural England
To order either book, contact County Town Books, High Street, Bedford: Call +44-1234-341789 during UK daytime hours, Mon-Sat (In the UK simply dial 01234-341789) or Fax +44-1234-352252 (In UK 01234-352252) with you name, full international mailing address and credit card number with expiry date. Please state American Express, Visa or Mastercard.The price which includes international shipping is £16 (UK pounds Sterling) - approximately 24 US Dollars per copy for WHEELSTOCKS AND PLOUGHSHARES .
The price which includes international shipping is £20 (UK
pounds Sterling) - approximately 30 US Dollars per copy for GUNSTOCKS AND DOVETAILS .
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