Topic: Childhood and youth

A narrative that reveals the real stories of Barack Obama's disparate forebears. It examines the commonly held beliefs about Obama's youth, and analyses the creation of an iconic political voice.

Every year, from the end of June to the end of August, Bruce and his family go to their cedar-clad cottage on the blue, wide lake on the edge of the wilderness. At first, the summer of 1954 seems like any other. But just when he realises life is perfect, everything starts to change. He's ten, the...

Every year, from the end of June to the end of August, Bruce and his family go to their cedar-clad cottage on the blue, wide lake on the edge of the wilderness. At first, the summer of 1954 seems like any other. But just when he realises life is perfect, everything starts to change. He's ten, the...

Bryan Gallagher's reminiscences are filled with a warming optimism and nostalgic beauty that transports readers to a world of boyhood pranks, playground politics and the confusion of growing up in a land as magical and captivating as the landscape against which it is set.

In this recollection of 40 years ago, the author recalls the culture-shock of a family moving to an ancient town by the sea which was just two hours - and two decades - away from the capital.

Kate Williams relates the story of Princess Charlotte, the Queen who never was, & her impact on the young Victoria. She documents the machinations behind Victoria's quest to occupy the throne, & shows how her struggles did not end when she was crowned.

During World War II, thousands of children were evacuated from major cities and forced to leave their families behind. Ray Evans recounts his harrowing, but ultimately uplifting experiences of leaving Liverpool for Wales.

When you're young just growing up seems hard enough. But if you've been shipped to a new country, away from all your beloved aunts and uncles, where you can't understand anyone it's even harder. And if the Ayatollah wants you and your family dead, then that's when it gets really tricky.

John Chambers was brought up on Belfast's notorious Loyalist Glencairn estate, during the height of the Troubles. From an early age he witnessed violence, hatred and horror as Northern Ireland tore itself apart in civil strife. Kneecapping, brutal murders, and even public tarring-and-feathering w...

Written by Dermot Healy, this memoir recollects his childhood in Ireland in the 1950s and '60s. He is the acclaimed author of A Goat's Song, which won the Encore Award for the best second novel of 1994.

Derek Houghton gives an insight into life as a real 'East Ender'. Personal recollections and lively anecdotes are combined with a social history to show a neighbourhood undergoing huge change, and the memories recalled give a snapshot of a community characterized by contrasts.

Derek Houghton gives an insight into life as a real 'East Ender'. Personal recollections and lively anecdotes are combined with a social history to show a neighbourhood undergoing huge change, and the memories recalled give a snapshot of a community characterized by contrasts.

The Durrell family returns to live on the island of Corfu, and they continue the story begun in 'My Family and Other Animals'. The family plays host to a constant stream of quirky guests, but for Gerald the main attraction is the island's wildlife.

The Durrell family returns to live on the island of Corfu, and they continue the story begun in 'My Family and Other Animals'. The family plays host to a constant stream of quirky guests, but for Gerald the main attraction is the island's wildlife.

This text is a recollection of the experiences of growing up in the slums of Nechells and Aston. All the harshness of daily life is remembered by local author Graham Twist.

Hilary Townsend was born in Blackmore Vale, a remote place where change was slow and the agricultural depression meant hard times for almost everyone. Her memories are sharply observed, breathing life into her descriptions of the Vale and the small town of Stalbridge, then the centre of her world.

'Blue Above the Chimneys' is the poignant true story of Christine Marion Fraser's upbringing in post-war Glasgow.

Rosemary Sutcliff describes how her immobility as a child suffering from a rare form of arthritis developed her powers of observation and her ability to enter into a life of the landscape and the people about her.

Jacky Hyams revisits the 'live for today' world of her childhood, a world where money was no object, growing up in a household underpinned by betting, booze and bribes. From stories of her parent's partying with the Krays to the West End in the sixties, this is the story of a unique childhood, se...