This is the moving story of Lillie Morgan's life as a pawnbroker during World War One, in which she paints a vivid picture of the abject poverty that could be found in Brighton at that time. Food was scarce and people often had to go to desperate lengths to find the price of a loaf of bread - simply to feed their family! Within this life history, there are many amusing anecdotes that attest to the resilience of the human spirit. Lillie told her story to her granddaughter, Jane Russell, who transcribed it, using her grandmother's own words - as much as possible.

This book is a personal account of living in the Tenantry Down neighbourhood of Brighton in the pre-war years. Don Carter, the author, describes his childhood in the Hartington Road area of Brighton, where nearly all the roads are named after places in the Isle of Wight. Don can claim to be a true Brightonian, having been born and bred in the city. His boyhood territory was the vast, almost rural, valley of the cemeteries and the allotments of Tenantry Down. Added to Don's personal memories, are recollections from family and friends, which are incorporated into this interesting tale of life in Brighton in a bygone era.

This is the entertaining story of a young cockney, who was something of a 'wide boy'. Originating from London, Bert Healey's story begins with tales of his life as a wayward boy, a youth and later an adult. He also describes many aspects of his working life - from his first pay packet, when working as a taxi driver to his times of unemployment during times of illness. Bert tells of the lost acquaintances of his youth, most who have now passed away. His story is especially interesting for young readers, who may not know anything of those times. The book gives an insight into the life and times of the Twenties and Thirties, and is particularly interesting for his tales of Brighton racecourse characters. Those times are often described as 'the bad old days.' Bert wonders if they really were so bad after all?