Sunderland man has travelled all over the world and now he's reliving it all in a book trilogy
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‘It’s a story about growing up in the 1950s and 60s’
Sunderland man Steve Potts is reliving a life which took him all over the world in a series of new books and here’s a first look.
Steve is telling the story of his early life in a book called Leap Like a Salmon, Drink Like a Fish. The Life of Steve Potts, A Sunderland Boy (Volume 1) which is out now with front and back page design by his daughter Lea.
He said the book ‘begins with a short history of Sunderland and traces my family’s life through two wars before moving into my own story.
“I was born in Southwick in 1951 and went to St Hilda’s. When our family moved to Hylton Castle, I attended English Martyrs and later St Thomas Aquinas Boys School. The book captures the characters of the streets, the humour, the hardships, and the early choices that shaped everything that followed. It’s a story about growing up in the 1950s and 60s.”
Two more volumes will follow soon which continue the story of ‘leaving home, travelling the world, and eventually building a life far from where it all began, while always carrying Sunderland with me.’
The book details how Steve’s family background lies in the traditions of coal mining and shipbuilding which is where many of his relatives worked.
But Steve wanted to live a different life and said: “The qualifications and work experience I gained allowed me to travel the globe and live in far‐off countries. I soon realised that sunshine and travel were two essential ingredients for my happiness. That freedom enabled me to experience life within diverse cultures, participate in various events, visit famous landmarks, and embark on adventures my father could only dream of.”
Volume 1 of the book looks at Steve’s family background as well as the lives of his ancestors, with tales of heroism and tragedy included.
Leap Like a Salmon, Drink Like a Fish. The Life of Steve Potts, A Sunderland Boy (Volume 1) is available on Amazon in hardback at £18.99, paperback at £11.99 and Kindle at £3.99.