Publishing History:1958 London, Hutchinson. Reprints 1958, 19661960 London, Arrow. Reprint 19661972 Glasgow, UR Books1978 Colchester, The Book Service1979 London, White Lion1983 Edinburgh, Mainstream1984 London, Corgi. Reprints 1985, 1986, 1988, 19891985 London, Magna1986 Boston, G.K. Hall2024 Edinburgh, Birlinn - with Introduction by Tom Morton
Author’s Foreword:
Although I have not knowingly tampered with any essential truths in this book, I have taken the reasonable liberty of telescoping some events, reshuffling various bits of chronology, moving some individuals about and giving some of them false moustaches to save them possible embarrassment in a public appearance which they did not seek. A man who is bandying his friends about ought to bandy them gently. My bandy acquaintances will understand this, and forgive me.
Although I have not knowingly tampered with any essential truths in this book, I have taken the reasonable liberty of telescoping some events, reshuffling various bits of chronology, moving some individuals about and giving some of them false moustaches to save them possible embarrassment in a public appearance which they did not seek. A man who is bandying his friends about ought to bandy them gently. My bandy acquaintances will understand this, and forgive me.
Dancing in the Streets
Reviews:“Mr. Hanley’s no phoney. He’s danced in the streets, he’s drunk in the saloons and he’s necked in the parlours. He’s done all this in Glasgow and he’s written the best book from Scotland that I’ve read in years …brilliant book.”James Kennaway, New Statesman
“For anyone who wants to get the “feel” of Glasgow, Dancing in the Streets is worth a whole library of social and economic treatises. It is also much better fun.”Daily Telegraph
“…as colourful as any gypsy encampment … an autobiography of great gusto and enjoyment.”John Pearson, Sunday Times
“Happiness is implicit in Hanley’s brilliant sketches of the raw landscape, his friends, their street games, the zest for Iiving that poverty couldn’t kill.”Tom Barstow, News Chronicle "Like a portal into a vanished Glassgow, but one where the city, its people -- their foibles, hopes, humour and warmth -- are instantly familiar." Norry Wilson, Lost Glasgow "Hanley writes with consistent relish for his native city ... captures Glasgow and its people nonchalantly and unfussily." Ian Jack, The Guardian
“For anyone who wants to get the “feel” of Glasgow, Dancing in the Streets is worth a whole library of social and economic treatises. It is also much better fun.”Daily Telegraph
“…as colourful as any gypsy encampment … an autobiography of great gusto and enjoyment.”John Pearson, Sunday Times
“Happiness is implicit in Hanley’s brilliant sketches of the raw landscape, his friends, their street games, the zest for Iiving that poverty couldn’t kill.”Tom Barstow, News Chronicle "Like a portal into a vanished Glassgow, but one where the city, its people -- their foibles, hopes, humour and warmth -- are instantly familiar." Norry Wilson, Lost Glasgow "Hanley writes with consistent relish for his native city ... captures Glasgow and its people nonchalantly and unfussily." Ian Jack, The Guardian
Jacket copy:
The scruffy, clanking, lusty city of Glasgow roars its way into print through a young journalist’s account of a lifetime of experience.
This autobiography races along, packed with acute observation and throwing off showers of wit in passing. Clifford Hanley has seen the best of times and the worst of times in his native city, and dear, dirty Glasgow dominates the story of his life. Rooted in the 1930’s, the days when the Clyde ran red, his book catches the tempo and pace of exciting days in a city which never fails to give off an over-plus emotional response.
Though divided by great social problems and bitter tensions, Glasgow’s unique humanity is united against all comers. Clifford Hanley’s writing has a kick like a Glasgow flyweight, and he demonstrates those qualities — of pertinacity, courage and sense of outrage which have helped to make his fellow-citizens the ever resourceful playboys of the northern world.
“There are prettier cities, and it wouldn’t be hard for a city to be prettier, but few of them that I know have the seething cauldron effect that Glasgow has always had for me. Out of its horrible smoke-bleary streets it keeps throwing up jokes and songs and poetry as well as bloody murder.”
This autobiography races along, packed with acute observation and throwing off showers of wit in passing. Clifford Hanley has seen the best of times and the worst of times in his native city, and dear, dirty Glasgow dominates the story of his life. Rooted in the 1930’s, the days when the Clyde ran red, his book catches the tempo and pace of exciting days in a city which never fails to give off an over-plus emotional response.
Though divided by great social problems and bitter tensions, Glasgow’s unique humanity is united against all comers. Clifford Hanley’s writing has a kick like a Glasgow flyweight, and he demonstrates those qualities — of pertinacity, courage and sense of outrage which have helped to make his fellow-citizens the ever resourceful playboys of the northern world.
“There are prettier cities, and it wouldn’t be hard for a city to be prettier, but few of them that I know have the seething cauldron effect that Glasgow has always had for me. Out of its horrible smoke-bleary streets it keeps throwing up jokes and songs and poetry as well as bloody murder.”