Book Review: The Bigger Picture: Friday On My Mind III
Exploring Hounslow's Hidden Mod Scene: Way Out Radio Review Don Hughes' Captivating Journey Through 1960s Youth Culture.
Media: Book
Title: The Bigger Picture: Friday On My Mind III
Author: Don Hughes
Publisher: Tomorrow Books
Rating: 8/10
Vintage posters and photos of the iconic Ronnettes and The Beatles take you back to the setting where mod emerged. Tales of dangerous teens gathering in local cafes to plan their next moves are told fondly and the book gives a number of thorough personal accounts. Most of the book is focused on Hounslow, the west suburb of London, giving a different take on the mod era, which most historians overlook in favour of Twickenham and Richmond. Writer and curator Don Hughes includes everything from pay slips to job vacancy ads and newspaper clippings in this epic tale. Some chapters outline an era and others tell a specific story from one mod's perspective. This book also displays more pictures of Hounslow High Street and young mods in the sixties. Overall a unique and interesting take on the mod movement.
Hughes’ meticulous research and attention to detail shine through in the rich, authentic anecdotes that populate the book. He captures the essence of a youth subculture that was vibrant, rebellious, and fashion-forward, painting a vivid picture of the lifestyle that defined a generation. Readers are transported to the smoky cafes and bustling streets, where the sharp-dressed mods plotted their next escapades and danced to the latest hits. The inclusion of primary sources such as job vacancy ads and pay slips not only adds depth to the historical context but also provides a tangible connection to the everyday lives of these young individuals. This comprehensive approach ensures that the book is not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane but also a valuable resource for anyone interested in the social history of 1960s Britain.
Way Out Radio
THE BIGGER PICTURE: FRIDAY ON MY MIND III
The Bigger Picture: Friday on My Mind Part III is the third title in mod author, Don Hughes ' critically acclaimed trilogy of books. Following on from the first two volumes, The Bigger Picture is a photographic and biographical hardback that ties up many of the characters mentioned within the first two books; concluding theirs - and Don's - stories of the sixties in chronological order. 
