Paradise Street: The Lost Art of Playing Outside (Vintage Britain 4)

This book left me smiling. The photos are a delight and highlight the differences in the lives of the 'then' and 'now' children. Poverty, yes, but poverty of what? What was captured was the glee on the faces of scruffy boys and girls playing together on bombsites, swinging on ropes hitched over street lamps, using dustbin lids as shields in play fights, etc. In one photo, two boys have their heads poked down a street drain with a dog on their backs, obviously joining in the fun. Another shows a little girl, pushing dolly in a pram while wearing Daddy's shoes. This book shows a life before the Health and Safety and the Joyless Society took over and it refreshed my soul.

Just looking at the expressions on the faces of the children merrily going about their business lifts ones spirits no end. How sad it seems to me that children are no longer free to go out to play in this way. Hoppity is so right about the Joyless Society. This really is a beautifully compiled book and makes me nostalgic about the freedom that I and many others were able to enjoy as children.

Loved this little hardback book. Bought it to browse through and generate memories with my sister who at 58 yrs of age has sadly been diagnosed with a rare young onset dementia. Although a relatively small book, we both got so much pleasure from it. Happy memories of an idyllic childhood, where days were long and imagination contagious. Yes, a lovely little book indeed.

Memories, memories of my youth. The lack of cars was very evident. I guess this lack enabled children to have free reign.A gem.

Wonderful moving photographs. Brought back many memories .

Great

loved the whole book very well done

La editorial Hoxton Mini Press viene siendo garantía de calidad y contenidos desde hace ya unos años (no hay más que ver el catalogo) y este no iba a ser una excepción:un retrato al arte perdido de jugar en la calle...! Niños en el Reino Unido, de diversa índole social, disfrutando a su manera de la libertad de la calle.Un libro para devorar con mucha calma y recordar tiempos pasados.Una pequeña joya fotográfica.

Insieme ad Il Gioco di Scianna e Street Play di Martha Cooper, questo libretto è una preziosa testimonianza di cos'era il gioco in strada sino alla fine degli anni settanta