Geoffrey Trease was one of the twentieth century's most important writers for children. This engaging first volume of autobiography covers his radical early years, from childhood in Nottingham to the Oxford degree he gave up in favour of settlement work in London, the early struggles to get his left-wing books published and his visit to Russia, to his marriage and the momentous decision to burn his boats and try to become a full-time writer.
Eminent critics such as Marcus Crouch and Margery Fisher considered that he was the major influence on the writing of historical novels for children in the last century, and in this book we see the development of the young writer towards that influential figure.
Originally published by Macmillan in 1971, the GGBP edition includes an introduction by Geoffrey’s daughter, Jocelyn, and many fascinating photographs, some of which were in the original edition, and some of which Jocelyn has especially selected for the GGBP edition.
Sally Dore has written an introduction to Geoffrey Trease’s publications in the period leading up to 1939, and the book also includes pictures of some of the incredibly rare books and wrappers.
