DID YOU SEE THE ELEPHANTS

''DID YOU SEE THE ELEPHANTS'' is the sequel to the previous book ''CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF LIFE IN LEESLAND ROAD'',which was very well received.It records and describes the decade after the second world war when life was starting to return to normal.Austerity was coming to an end as life began to develop and start its journey into technical dominance,it was the time when Victorian type values met those of the new scientific age.Everything was simpler,slower and life was seen as being ''your lot'' rather than what you made it.Tradition and customs were important in all that you did,with rationning only just finally coming to an end and money being scarce,religion being a significant part in nearly everyones life meant lives wherever you lived were much the same. This book and the previous are as that period where viewed through the memories and eyes of someone who lived in those times.They describe the way that everyday living took place,the way you entertained yourself,the simple adventures,pastimes and games,how you celebrated the various festivals through the year.As with life there came tragedy and in the authors case it was the loss of a parent,he doesn't shy away from even this.The attention to detail is outstanding backed up by a style of book that you can read as much or as little as you want,there are no boundaries.Memories are random,long or short and the book gives you that feeling,a set of experiences not a story that follows a recognised path.The use of idioms gives you the chance to form your own memories and recall those you have forgotten. If you lived in that period you most certainly will find something that was similar or the same in your own life,read to an elderly relative it might just ignite a spark in their failing memory,the grandchildren will not believe how satisfied you were with so very little.Be it country,town or seaside the values were the same,respect of everything and everyone and that was how life was,the descriptions will carry you down that era with a fair few chuckles along the way,inevitably raising some of your own from your memories.