Bøker av Gerald Firth

Set in 1944, this is the story of how children coped with the rigours of wartime. It is not a war story; it is a Home Front story. We join them in their experiences, follow them in their adventures, and watch them as they handle the incidents in which they become involved.The main characters are four lads, aged eleven and twelve years of age, living in the town were I was born and grew up, Bolton, Lancashire. They associate with numerous other children of various ages. We find them in the streets, in school and in Sunday School.We follow them on a day trip to Blackpool, an experience which is unique to most the poor children of the district. Their parents range from the kind and gentle and understanding, to cruel and violent.It is a humorous tale, for the most part, that readers of all ages can, and will, enjoy.

Janet and Michael Sommers are recently married. They have moved into Janet's family home, following her mother's early demise from cancer. They discover a hidden entrance to a basement, which contains a large collection of Egyptian artefacts.Janet's grandfather, who also inhabited the house, had been an Importer and Exporter of works of art from the Far East. They suspect that his business was not totally legitimate and that some of the treasures they have found are illegal imports. A mysterious stranger calls on them looking for information about grandfather. He visited Janet's mother also, many years previously.There is also a large hoard of old bank notes, which are now no longer legal tender. What do they do with their finds? After some consideration, they find a way of disposing of them to their advantage.Another find is a diary written by Janet's mother when she was in her early twenties. The contents shock and, in parts, disgusts Janet when she discovers her mother's secret past.

The true story of a boy and his family and how they endured the effects of the war and coped with shortages and rationing. He was born in 1936 at the depths of the Depression. His father was laid off work due the lack of demand for cotton goods, only going to the mill at widely-spaced intervals. Without the Welfare State which came later, the lives of the families of all cotton operatives was extremely hard, with little else to look forward to except a bleak future.Then came the war, which, due to the sudden and momentous increase in demand for cotton goods, was of benefit to workers - if no one else. Only after the war was over did the people of the cotton industry really benefit see big improvements in their lives.

Five people abandon a sinking cruise ship and are stranded on a desert island. Two adults, members of the ships staff, and three children, aged 19, 11 and 12 who were passengers, now separated from their families.They set about building shelter and foraging for food. Whilst exploring the island, they discover small bay which is a much pleasanter area and move there. They happen upon a family of apes, a large male, two females and three babies. The young ones run to the people, wanting to play and have friendly romps, until the male calls them back.They find a boat stranded on a beach. They sail the boat back to their new home in the bay.On the north east of the island, four people who are also survivors from the shipwreck, been captured by strange species. When they try to free the captives they are attacked by the captors. They manage to escape from the captors and return to the bay. Finally, a British Navy vessel comes to their rescue and takes them home.