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  • Tales from the Back Green

  • By: Bill Paterson
  • Narrated by: Bill Paterson
  • Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (13 ratings)

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Tales from the Back Green

By: Bill Paterson
Narrated by: Bill Paterson
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Summary

Here is a classic memoir of childhood that will strike a chord with anyone who's ever played and dreamed, with little thought of life "when I grow up".

The much loved Scots actor Bill Paterson was brought up in those halcyon days of post-war Britain when a child could still play happily - and safely - in his own back green and the streets beyond. Now, in Tales from the Back Green, he evokes his boyhood and youth in Glasgow's East End during the 1950s, which was full of intriguing characters and extraordinary events.

Always eager to push the boundaries of what they were allowed to do, Bill and his mates construct a giant dust "atomic" bomb, try to hold their own World Cup tournament, and play endlessly on wasteland that's now unrecognizable compared with the exciting jungle of his childhood.

Tales from the Back Green is a brilliant realisation of a time and a place, read by the author.

This abridged version of Tales from the Back Green was added prior to CD and Digital download, therefore chapter 11 is not included.

©2008 Bill Paterson (P)2008 Catherine Bailey Ltd./Bona Broadcasting Ltd.
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What listeners say about Tales from the Back Green

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Deep in nostalgia

How the world has changed, and specifically Glasgow and Scotland, over the period of this book. The author maintains the deep interest from the opening to the closing sentences and makes one thing of their own experiences. Bill Paterson always sounds like someone it would be good to meet. This book emphasises this. An excellent human and historical read

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A joy

To listen to Bill reading this has been a pure joy. Tales from a way of life that can never be rekindled. Simple pleasures when computers and satellite tv could never have been dreamed of. Harsh times to be sure but underlying community and a sense of place.

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