The Road to Nab End - William Woodruff > Reviews

Advantages: Terrific stories, very interesting read
Disadvantages: A little disjointed in places

...something I haven't tried before. The Road to Nab End is a terrific book and one that I have read several times. The Road to Nab End, by William Woodruff, is the true story of the author living in Blackburn in the 1920's/30s. Woodruff, nicknamed Billy, describes his experiences of living in a gruff, northern milltown like Blackburn in its zenith in the first person viewpoint that could descend into nostalgic one off anecdotes but somehow doesn't. ... Read review

Advantages: Great story
Disadvantages: Easy to lose the thread in one place

...I surprised! It is great! Its the true account of William Woodruff's life growing up in Lancashire around the turn of the century, growing up in total poverty and on to work in the cotton mills with his parents. This book really tugs at the heart strings and makes you thankful for all we have today and how much we take for granted in our every day lives. One part is hard to keep a hold of the thread of the story as tere are so many colourful characters, ... Read review

Advantages: Personalizes the decline of the Industrial Revolution in England
Disadvantages: NOne

...Century Dickens novel. Seen through the eyes of the author, Woodruff, beginning at his birth and early years as a son of poor weavers in the mill town of Blackburn Lancashire during the First World War and ending as he leaves poverty and depression at 16 to try his luck in the big city, London. It is also the story of a family struggling through the failure of capitalism as the Industrial Revolution wanes and dreams of a good life for the working ... Read review