Two volumes. One extraordinary British life.
The Making of a Showman
Born in Cape Town at the turn of the twentieth century, Billy Butlin's childhood was shaped by hardship, loss and constant change. From the bustling streets of South Africa to the travelling fairs of England, he learned early that life rewarded determination, imagination and hard work.
As Europe was plunged into the First World War, Billy enlisted and served his country before returning home with a dream that seemed impossible. Armed with little more than ambition and an instinct for entertaining people, he began building the foundations of what would become one of Britain's greatest success stories.
The Making of a Showman follows Billy's remarkable journey from an adventurous young fairground entrepreneur to the opening of his first holiday camp at Skegness in 1936. It is the inspiring story of a man who refused to accept the ordinary and instead set out to change the way Britain spent their holidays forever.
The Holiday Camp King
When Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp at Skegness, he wasn't simply offering accommodation — he was creating a new way of life. Affordable holidays, laughter, entertainment and unforgettable memories became available to ordinary families for the first time, transforming the British seaside forever.
From the rapid expansion of the Butlin's empire through the challenges of war, post-war rebuilding and decades of extraordinary success, The Holiday Camp King charts the rise of one of Britain's most recognisable entrepreneurs. Alongside the triumphs came personal struggles, family relationships, business rivalries and the relentless determination that drove Billy Butlin until the very end of his life.
Richly researched and vividly told, this concluding volume celebrates the legacy of the man whose vision created generations of treasured family memories and earned him a permanent place in British social history.
Both volumes are available to pre-order now.
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