Beyond Nab End

Nab End #2

by William Woodruff

The second volume of William Woodruff's memoirs starts with him having arrived in Poplar in the early 1930s. On spec, he turns up at a steel foundry and luckily gets a job. Eventually he decides to "get some leernin" and his first white-collar job starts for the Water Board. Continuing to pursue his studies, he finally wins a place at Ruskin College, Oxford. How the ex-steel worker became an Oxford academic concludes this second volume.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Memoir

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

William Woodruff was born in 1916 into a family of Blackburn, Lancashire cotton workers. At 13 he left school and became a delivery boy in a grocer's shop. In 1933, with bleak prospects in the north of England, he decided to try his luck in London and migrated to the filth and squalor of the East End. Then in 1936 with the encouragement of a Jesuit priest and the aid of a London County Council Scholarship he went to Balliol College, Oxford. There he became an idealistic undergraduate who mingled with George Woodcock and Harold Wilson. During the Second World War he fought in North Africa and the Mediterranean region as a major and then a colonel. All these experiences formed the basis of a series of memoirs, including The Road to Nab End, originally published as Billy Boy, and Beyond Nab End, which emerged only years later.

After the war, he turned down the chance of a political career in favour of academia. He was lured to Harvard on a scholarship and remained in America teaching economic history in Illinois, Princeton and Florida, until he was 80. 61 published titles - hardbacks, softbacks and translations - bear his name.

Reviews

[Judith Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read,in a voice still clear and present all these years on. What a wonderful writer this historian is - it makes you think about all the other young people, like my father-in-law, who left school early through circumstances... I look forward to reading William Woodruff's other books. A couple of my fave quotes from this one:

'As a constant visitor to the continent and a strong supporter of the League of Nations, he (Sir Alfred Zimmern) always had first-hand knowledge of the growing political crisis. He used to say: 'If children can decide how they will act together, why can't we?'

'As I stood among the showers of sparks and watched the workers toil, I couldn't help wondering how a 'sand-rat' could sweat his guts out and be paid very little for it; whereas if you studied workers - as I was doing - you did very well. The farther one got away from working with one's hands - the work that made the wealth of nations , that gave us our daily bread - the better off one was. I had been brought up to believe that hard manual work paid - it didn't. None of the men I was look at would come to be known individually; they'd play almost no role in forming the opinion of their age; yet without them our world could not continue.'

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

What he began with his wonderful "The Road to Nab End", William Woodruff continues in this, his detailed, personal, and very human portrayal of his years spent in London, Oxford, and elsewhere. As with his previous book, I had some difficulty in bringing myself to stop reading, forcing myself at the close of a chapter to lay the book aside and get on with my day. What Woodruff captures here is a decidedly British perspective on both class divisions and the stubborn tenacity of some in believing that these "divisions" do not have to divide and separate. Even if one is the son of lower-class weavers from the dirt and grey of Blackburn, life, love, education, and possibility can be experienced in profound, beautiful, and newly heartbreaking ways.

We follow Woodruff as a sixteen-year-old into the factories of London, Woodruff as political aspirant (with necessary scholarships) into the halls of Oxford, Woodruff as a bonafide student deeper and deeper into his love for learning, and Woodruff as a fading pacifist into the fog of World War II. It is a journey that is at times alternately touching, embarrassing, frustrating, and inspiring, one which (particularly if the reader has traveled with Woodruff as a young boy in the pages of his earlier book) finds you hoping like mad for this young man.

As we find ourselves grasping for holds upon an increasingly slippery slope, we would do well to read books such as these, honestly recounting the conflicted inner life of a world at war. Woodruff's account of his experiences preceding and leading through World War II serves well to remind the reader of several issues of grave importance, the first being Man's desperation to hold together some semblance of beauty in the face of such ugliness, and the second, ironically, being Man's tendency to paint faux beauty across the cannibal's face in order to justify the atrocity of war. Woodruff helps us to remember how blind nationalistic fervor can make us, and reminds us of the rampant danger inherent therein. Truthfully, only those of this generation can truthfully do this reminding, and they are fading quickly. Thankfully, even as those who walked through the darkness of world war are leaving this place, the accounts of their lives remain.

This is one account I will recommend without hesitation.

[M.J. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second part of William Woodruff's compelling autobiographical account of his early life. The book continues on from The Road to Nab End and is just as readable. It describes his escape from unemployment in 1930s Blackburn by heading south for London, and how, after taking advantage of a few fortunate opportunities and with the help of some truly inspiring people, gets himself to Oxford University. Excellent.

[Sibyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently re-reading this backwards.

It is several years since I first read this book - perhaps in a holiday cottage? But I was having a discussion with my daughter, currently studying GCSE History, about the meaning of propaganda and knew there was a vivid description of the writer as a young man on holiday in Germany, going to a Nazi rally becoming more and more disturbed by the behaviour of the crowd.

So I ordered the book from my local library and in trying to track the passage down was enthralled by the story of a young man from a working class background who had almost no formal education after primary school, but goes to work in London gets involved with left-wing politics and ends up studying at night school. From there he went to Ruskin College and finally applied to study at Oxford University. It was a journey that needed a lot of determination, and a lot of help from other people along the way.

The sad thing is that it would be impossible for a young man in a similar situation to make a similar journey now. William Woodruff's fees were paid by the London County Council.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Woodruff the historian who died in September 2008 wrote two surprise best sellers in his 80s - The Road to Nab End and this book, Beyond Nab End, the second part of his personal memoir. This is very readable book chronicling the time from when he hitched to London during the depression, worked in a foundry developing his political ideas, became educated through the WEA and on to Oxford where his studies were eventually disrupted by the second world war and where he also spent time pre war travelling in Belgium and Germany. It is a fascinating book to read - very evocative of it's times and it is difficult to put down!

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these books in the wrong order nevertheless really enjoyed them both. They are a true account of life in Lancashire during the economically hard times back in the 20s. The bottom is falling out of the cotton mill industry and life gets pretty desperate for the lower classes. They are well-written and hard to put down.
I have a copy of Beyond Nab End to swap or sell but The Road To Nab End will be donated to the Waitakere Library as they don't have one.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series - a well-written link with the world of Grandad's stories of his youth. I like the way William wrote about the other people in his life - honest but not nasty - and his passion and dedication are to be admired. Not as stunning as the first one (maybe because Grandad didn't go to Oxford!!) but enjoyable, nevertheless.

[Arias · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional autobiography. Woodruff's storytelling voice is superb, and his recreation of pre and post World War II England is vivid. I'll admit that the book was dry at points, but overall Beyond Nab End is extremely engaging and provides a fitting conclusion to Woodruff's journey from a young, North Englander in the working class to an Oxford educated man.

[Andi Gaywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the prequel to this book but I will do so in due course. This was a well written book with the author telling his story of a move from the north to the East End of London as a young 16 year boy. From hard, working class beginnings and working at a metal foundry he managed to educate himself and achieve amazing success as a writer and historian.

The book flows beautifully along with the introduction of significant, and insignificant people along the way that all captured my interest and thirst to find out more. The book explores how the times were hard for working class families and everyday was a struggle to survive. However there is always hope, and with hard work and determination obstacles can be overcome and meaning can be found.

A very enjoyable read and highly recommended.

[Louise Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed William Woodruff's first autobiography, The Road To Nab End, and the first three-quarters of Beyond Nab End, I equally enjoyed. In the final quarter of his book, which looks at his life during the build up to world war two, I felt as if the author was trying too hard, there was something laboured and predictable in his desire to create vivid descriptions.
By this time, I also felt that the book should perhaps have been called, The Road To Nob End.
To understand why I have written that comment, you need to read the book and find out whether you agree.
However, it is very entertaining and informative.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sat a long long time on my shelves after reading The Road to Nab End, and might well have sat longer but for a need for a book with a place name in the title for the library book café. Ironically, I can't remember the relevance of Nab End.

This book covers the period in Woodruff's life between leaving home for London in the early 1930s and passing his final Oxford examinations during WWII... with a quick run-down of his war which he had written about in another book... possibly the first volume of autobiography, but not the one which hit the jackpot with the public.

I found it a captivating story but rather sad somehow, as he leaves behind the ideals of his youth. He arrives in London intent on becoming a Labour MP, with seemingly no hope, and I am not entirely sure what he exchanges for that dream. He writes at one point of how marrying into the aristocracy would have been a betrayal of his class... yet there is a definite feeling of leaving his family behind for some reason that is unclear, not because they have grown apart due to the education and opportunities which have come his way. Other than that women in his book are vivid and varied (which I suppose accentuates the 'irrelevance' of his family) He makes, and this may be the appeal of his writing, some acute observations of every environment in which he finds himself.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has read a lot of memoir, "Beyond Nab End" and its precursor "Road to Nab End" are standouts, and it is almost beyond comprehension that William Woodruff wrote these in his ninth decade with such clarity and utter recall. In book 2, you the reader, are there with William as he struggles in London after arriving as a 16 year old with few prospects, and then perseveres until he makes it into Oxford, the unlikeliest of candidates. The sounds, the sights, the smells of everything are complete and Woodruff also demonstrates an understated sense of humor about everything he encounters. I particularly enjoyed his adjustment to Oxford in his stolen clothes as well as his trips into Nazi Germany during its rearmament phase prior to the outbreak of WWII. Never didactic, Woodruff who in real life was an eminent history professor, sneakily teaches his audience a great deal and pleasurably so. His personal website is maintained and worth perusal. 4.5 stars.

[Neophiliac · Rating 4 out of 5]

"May you lead an interesting life" is the chinese curse. As I have noticed in other biographies the childhood and teenage years are packed full of tales but it gets to a point in life where although it may be a happy and fulfilling life there are few stories to entertain people. I'm afraid I put this book down during his time at Oxford and didn't get around to to finishing it. I'll try to rectify that soon.

[Linda Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second volume as much as the first and it gave a real insight into the events leading up to the Second World War , some of which I was unaware . His life was sufficiently interesting to have warranted another book to follow this one! He would have certainly been on my list of 'people I would most like to invite to a diner party ! And I shall be investigating his other works.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The riveting first tale of Nab End by Woodruff segued into Beyond Nab End and I felt I had stumbled over another treasure. It did not disappoint. I found SO compelling all the details of life in the veritable slums of northern England and then again in London.
It makes me want to go back and re-read the first book!

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both books in this series well worth reading for insight into how incredibly tough life was in England as a result of war, oppression, poverty and what amazing spirit and tenacity was revealed in all those circumstances. Compelling and inspiring.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of life as a teenager, student in the 1930s and the life changing opportunities made available to him, all set against the background of events in Europe to which he came quite close.

[Claudia May · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book. It's full of life, emotion &, most of all Hope. It describes the beauty & ambience of Oxford so well, you can clearly imagine yourself there. The reality of war - the sheer boredom, heartache & loneliness is all here too. A thoroughly good & absorbing read. Cx

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish he would write a sequel to this one!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Nab End that shows what can be achieved with guts, determination and a little luck

[Barbara Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be written in a different style to its predecessor and had little humour. Overall not as easy to read as The Road To Nab End

[Denise F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it....wish I'd read the first book and plan on reading some of his other published works.

[Foxeroo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, it was so evocative, flowed well and took you to an era which seems like most of us could never survive in now.

[Kanika Parik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim and interesting potrayal of 1930's. William Woodruff 's writing strikes the right chords.

[Val Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book straight after finishing the first volume on William Woodruff's memoirs of his childhood and youth, The Road to Nab End.

Beyond Nab End starts where the first volume ends - William on the journey to London after he decides to leave his childhood and youthhood of extreme poverty in Blackburn, Lancashire behind and try his luck in the capital. His life in London is certainly not easy as he ends up renting 'half a bed' and working in a noisy, dangerous, sweltering hot iron foundry in the East End.

He does have a good brain though and is doggedly determined to get himself a better education. Eventually, studying at night classes helps him to move on in life to a much better job at the London Water Board. He is then encouraged to apply to study in Oxford and finds himself in the midst of a life that could not be more different from his childhood.

Like the first book this is a fascinating history of the time, including the politics, both in the UK and in Europe when World War Two is brewing. William, surprisingly for the times, travels a lot of Belgium, France and Germany as all heading to war and only escapes, with hours to spare, being in Germany as Great Britain declares war with Germany.

This is the most interesting and readable book about the history of those years that I have read, as well being a fascinating memoir of this family life.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mate of mine at Church, Fran the small bungee-jumping world-exploring 80plus year old supporter of Reading FC, and I had a conversation once. We chatted about what she remembered and what I had gleaned from my mum and gran about the war years. And thus this book came into my temporary possession. Fascinating. I’m not a great biography person normally but this insight into life in London in the 1930s was throughly interesting, as it was the time my gran was living in the East End; same place, same time as William Woodruff. The pictures he paints of life there, the characters, his struggles for work, and then to get into Oxford University, and subsequent events in the studies and travels is written in a lucid style and one that allowed me to travel in my mind’s eye back to that time. His European experiences were enlightening, and detailed the rise of the Nazis in Germany and the impact they had on folk there. Finally his army experiences are shoved into a small chapter since he has already written a book on these, something mentioned in the narrative.
Well worth reading to get an insight on the lives and experiences of our forebears.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly remarkable story - all the more so for being true.

Billy is a very charismatic narrator and central figure in this second book in a trilogy. I havent read the first book but this didnt detract from my enjoyment of this one.

Beautifully written and maintaining such a positive outlook and joy for life and learning that it made me wish I had been somewhat more engaged during my formative years!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly just edges the first book in some ways but in honesty the first book does pave the way to the second giving a glimpse of the working class life that likely inspires some of what happens in this book and certainly some of the values.
There's bits about the labour movement, class and the upcoming second world war but that said this isn't a heavy book.
It's an engaging memoir which doesn't stray towards unlikely tales like a few I have read have.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this author's story of his pre-WWII life after leaving the North of England at 16 to make his way in the world. Such contrasts in the different classes. Easy and pleasant to read - he must have kept meticulous diaries!

[Sam Tekin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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