The Best of Childhood: Writing the Swallows and Amazons Books by Roger Wardale et al, First Edition

Roger Wardale—A former school teacher and one of the founder members of the Arthur Ransome Society, who has produced a number of books about Ransome, Arthur [Mitchell] Ransome (1884 to 1967)—English author and journalist, born in Leeds and best known for writing the Swallows and Amazons series of children's books (Swallows and Amazons, Swallowdale, Peter Duck, Winter Holiday, Coot Club, Pigeon Post, We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea, Secret Water, The Big Six, Missee Lee, The Picts And The Martyrs: or Not Welcome At All and Great Northern?). He was also the author of forty or so other titles including other children's books, fishing books, sailing books and books on politics, Helene Carter (1887 to 1960)—A Canadian artist who illustrated children's books and some adult fiction and Clifford [Cyril] Webb (1895 to 1972)—Wood engraver, etcher, painter. Born in London, Webb studied at Westminster School of Art. In the 1920s he established a reputation as one of Britain's most interesting engravers, specialising in landscapes and animal subjects

Draws on letters and extracts to tell the history of the writing of each the twelve books in the Swallows and Amazons Series, one book per chapter. Also includes brief biographies of ten of the key people involved in their creation (including Ransome).