The Real Deal is an evocative memoir of a life lived to the full and it's perfect for anyone who loves a good yarn and a bit of nostalgia. The author's natural storytelling skills will have you smiling, laughing, and struggling to hold back the tears, in equal measure. As The Real Deal is written by an octogenarian, you can imagine there is an eclectic mix of colourful anecdotes to enjoy, spanning from the 1930s and WWII to 21st century life. He is a family man at heart, and whilst some of his intriguing stories are about his own childhood, most are about his daughter and the other children who became part of his family - foster son, Jason, Nik, a young boy who came to live with him and his family following the tragic death of his parents, and also his beloved grandchildren. He has had a fair few jobs, too, he's owned a seafood stall, he's been a member of the parish council (until something very unsavoury happened and he resigned), he's worked with managers who he'd rather forget, and he's also worked on a cruise ship alongside his wife (and as a retiree ). Throughout every one of these enigmatic stories, reflections and memories, it is clear the author has an unquenchable zest for life.