Born in Purau Bay in New Zealand in 1931, Peter Gardiner's earliest memories are of living in a village inhabited by folk who just couldn't get on. Forty-two of them however, shared the same surname. This small town couldn't hold Peter, who caused such a ruckus in his early days that his father had him transported (not in chains) to Australia to learn about life and fend for himself. Learn about life Peter did – with a vengeance! From itinerant work on farms, to "conning" his way into a radio operator's job on the Snowy Mountain Scheme, his tales and misadventures are a pleasure to read. His often hilarious exploits as he rises from door-to-door selling to building a carpet cleaning company that spanned both sides of the Tasman, make truly inspirational reading for today's entrepreneurs. After wheeling and dealing his way across Australia, he finally settled in the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge where he now runs a successful mail order business as well as writing a regular column for the local paper under the pseudonym of "Pirate Pete." It's Been a Quiet Life is funny, inspirational, often captivating, and most of all, a rollicking good read. Bryan Neenan, Melbourne, 16th January 2000