Gilda O'Neill

For most, 19th century life in London was one of grinding poverty, binge drinking, prostitution and gun crime. Gilda O'Neill explores the streets, rat-infested slums, common lodging houses, boozers, penny gaffs and brothels in the heart of the greatest empire the world has ever seen.

London's bright lights soon lose their sparkle as Kitty Miller finds herself alone and destitute. A young prostitute, Tibs Tyler, takes Kitty under her wing, and the two girls form a music hall act in an attempt to start new lives.

Born into a traditional East End family in 1951, the author describes the close-knit community she grew up in. With warmth and affection she remembers the pride, kindness, courage and humour of the real East End.

Sequel to 'My East End' (5911). Wartime in the East End of London was marked by poverty, overcrowding, food rationing , gas masks and the constant threat of German bombers. Gilda O'Neill focuses on the personal stories of ordinary East Londoners to record how they lived through the six years of the Second World War.

This is the story about life in the East End of London during the Second World War. The disturbing loss of social stability brings with it the feeling that it is only what happens today that counts for anything.