Born into a background of dock workers in Wapping in the 1940s, the author"s recollections of the old, unrecon- structed Docklands and the closely knit families of "real" East Enders who lived there provides fascinating reading. Well educated and imbued with a strong work ethic (albeit a Catholic one), Patricia Gudge was a star at school but was destined - like many of her gender and background - to become a foot soldier in the vast corporate battlefield of twentieth-century London. Here, "a good day"s work for a fair day"s pay" meant commuting from Kent, sometimes at weekends, to unrewarding toil as a solicitor"s PA. Despite marital disruptions and health problems, the author soldiered on to a welcome retirement spent in travel in Europe and the UK, catching up on family life, and creative pursuits. It"s a tale well told, with a wealth of personal detail (from first kiss to first grandchild), and it"s a reminder that idleness is not an option for most of us! Patricia Gudge was born in East London in 1947. Educated at a Catholic grammar school, she worked in the City of London for most of her working life. Since retiring, she has spent her time writing and researching family history as well as enjoying time spent with her four grandchildren.