The New number One

This third volume of the Michael Baker series picks up the story of the canals from 1948: The reality of life on Britain? s nationalised waterways is becoming apparent to the families who work the narrowboats on the Grand Union Canal. More changes threaten as a post-war world raises new demands for faster, cheaper transport, and old ways become out-moded as business and industry look to a different future. Against this shifting backdrop, Michael and Harriet, Ginny, Carrie and Alby Baker together with the other characters so familiar from the last two volumes of this story carry on their lives, coping with ever more difficult conditions as the demand for their services slowly declines. But all is not gloom ? new traffics are won as old ones are lost, and new carriers appear to fill the void left by others? demise? As always, Geoffrey Lewis? story focuses on the humanity of his characters, portraying the humour and resilience of the boating people under the ever-present pressure to ? get ? em ahead? , and the laughter and the tears that are a part of their life. Everyone who has read A Boy Off The Bank and A Girl At The Tiller will welcome this third part of what was intended to be a trilogy. ? A graphic picture of life on the canals? The book made me sad, but it also made me laugh and wanting more? Waterways World