ROUGHNECKS, ROLLING STONES & ROUSEABOUTS by John A Lee

ON THE ROAD IN THE SWAGGER DAYS

'I heard you were dead, Shiner,' the farmer said. 'So did I. So did I,' the Shiner replied. 'But I never believed it.'

This was the Shiner - his exploits in fact, and his fancied exploits are New Zealand folk stories.

Before New Zealand ceased to be a physical frontier, characters abounded. Few were better known than Barney Whiterats, the roadside entrepreneur, who carried his performing white mice around along with his magic lantern. Children would sight the bent and bandy old man coming down the road and plague their parents for pennies to see the show. In those days pennies were more scarce than entertainers.

These characters and many more come to life again the pages of Roughnecks, Rolling Stones and Rouseabouts. The times have gone forever but John A Lee's stirring account preserves a fascinating side of our country's history.

PRELOVED softcover in good condition