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Showing posts with the label Biography

Earning a Crust - Logic doesn’t come into it

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Fascinating and engaging autobiography of career after Royal Air Force service. By Derek Rosser The author’s literary efforts covering his experiences as a National Serviceman in the RAF in the 1950s (A Reluctant Recruit) generated such a favourable reception, so much so that he embarked on a second, more or less true, account of his life as a typical boy growing up in the thirties and forties (Call Me Valentine). This is his third book, completing the trilogy. It is the account of what happened to him after leaving the Royal Air Force; it is the story of a long, and mainly happy, interesting working career. The author Derek Rosser says: “For the best part of forty years I was engaged in trying to earn enough money to keep body and soul together. Some of it was enjoyable, some of it was frustrating and some of it was downright misery….” …Find out more… ‘Earning a Crust’, an entertaining read! “A fascinating autobiography” …publishedbestsellers.com

Exhilarating autobiography of 70 year old desert runner

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Me and My Shadow By Ray Matthews Exhilarating autobiography of 70 year old desert runner and his extraordinary 100 miles run round Rotherham. What kind of man runs 100 miles at the age of 70? What makes anyone want to run 100 miles? Who decides what the right age is to achieve your dreams? Throughout a lifetime, everyone has the opportunity to meet truly exceptional people. Ray Matthews is one of them. From being a cocky ginger haired, Yorkshire lad who just wanted to “have a go at boxing,” to his recent 100km Sahara Desert race, Ray’s life is truly inspiring and anyone seeking to take on the impossible should read this book. Ray writes with a passion that reflects his fervour for life. Feel the emotion as a young Ray takes steps that help him discover the most important mentors; who lead him to make the hardest choices; which made the biggest differences in his life. Find out more “Extraordinary and exhilarating” …publishedbestsellers.com

The Flame Lily Weeps

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This unique autobiography describes the life of a white Zimbabwean growing up in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. It reveals and elucidate the perspectives and truth of poignant issues in the country’s transition from a British colony to an independent, one-party state, giving an insight into the build up to the political and economic anarchy that has thrown Zimbabwe into a financial abyss and that transformed a one time flourishing country into a land ravaged by hunger, disease and poverty. The Flame Lily Weeps Have you read this book? Found it interesting / informative / entertaining / useful / inspirational etc.? Please share you views. Thank you.

Chris Pownall releases a hilarious autobiography - 'Funny How Things Work Out'

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Chris Pownall releases a hilarious autobiography including a fifty year fulfilling career and various travels around the world. "This hilarious autobiography is sure to put a smile on your face." This is the story of Chris Pownall’s life beginning from early childhood to retirement. Chris’ autobiography is unique because he tells his story with a slant towards the more hilarious side of his life. Chris has always had a reputation for being there when things were going wrong–but it’s nothing to do with him really! His former work colleagues will bear witness to situations involving freak weather conditions and disrupted travelling arrangements. His sense of humour has seen him through many difficult situations–which he managed to salvage with wit and discretion (Even if he says so himself)! …Find out more… Funny How Things Work Out   ...An authentic biography……. publishedbestsellers.com . .

Man's Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust

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A prominent Viennese psychiatrist before the war, Viktor Frankl was uniquely able to observe the way that both he and others in Auschwitz coped (or didn't) with the experience. He noticed that it was the men who comforted others and who gave away their last piece of bread who survived the longest - and who offered proof that everything can be taken away from us except the ability to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. The sort of person the concentration camp prisoner became was the result of an inner decision and not of camp influences alone. Frankl came to believe man's deepest desire is to search for meaning and purpose. This outstanding work offers us all a way to transcend suffering and find significance in the art of living.

Once Upon a Game - The Precarious Career of a Games Inventor

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How do you get an idea for a game? What’s involved in developing it and making an initial prototype? How important is play-testing, and whom do you involve in that process? What are the tips for writing rules? How do you go about trying to get your idea onto the marketplace? What are the important parts of a contract? This book won’t provide all the answers, but it will give you an insight into the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating world of games inventing based on Michael’s 55 years experience. Packed with lots of stories - the successes and failures; the laughter and tears, the delight and the boredom… The Author Michael lives with his wife, Maggie, in France. They write books and educational material together. Their daughter, Cath, has illustrated one of the books. Michael has been a Board and card games inventor and author for most of his life. According to him his qualification has been mostly from the 'University of life'! His published works include over 5

Memoir of World War II paratrooper Clancy Lyall – pulsating with many behind the scenes details and photos

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The official biography of Clancy Lyall, member of the “Band of Brothers”, made famous by Steven Spielberg's and Tom Hanks' 2001 TV-series and Stephen Ambrose's book bearing the same name.  It's Clancy's story in his own words about World War 2, Korea and Indochina, as he witnessed it. Written by his close friend, journalist Ronald Ooms. Author Ronald Ooms says  “Clancy Lyall was a true friend who gave me the chance of a lifetime to fulfil my childhood dream.  And that dream was to write a book some day.  As a kid, I did not know at the time what my future book would be about and when Clancy offered me to write his story some two decades later I knew it was an offer I couldn't refuse...  I truly hope I've done him justice with his official biography called 'Silver Eagle', which was also his Cherokee Indian name.  Sadly my dear friend Clancy passed away in March 2012.” Ronald Ooms is a 34 year-old Belgian author.  He worked for almost a deca

"...All together a brilliant read ...difficult to put down." A review of 'Onwards and Upwards'

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" As I said in my review of 'Dane Mills Bosley' Chris Pownall and I were in the same class at secondary school in the mid 1950s but this is not the reason why I have given it a 5 star rating. This is the third book of Chris Pownall that I have read and I think that it is the best. Some of the stories in it are 'howlers'. From his fear of hospitals and the 'white coat' syndrome to his caravanning exploits which are hilarious, and his pet hates. I think that most of us will associate themselves with some of these stories but Chris has had the courage to put them in writing. I particularly liked his smokey barbecue which nearly sent the rest of the campsite to hospital and the way that he 'jumped the queue' of those waiting in the National Trust car park; clever that.

"I have read a lot of books... but none more entertaining and 'readable' than this one."

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" If you have read 'Dane Mills Bosley', by the same author, then you must read this one as in my view, it is even better. It follows Chris Pownall journey from his early days at Primary School and names one or two fellow pupils who influenced his early life through to his days in the Merchant Navy, which are a real eye opener as he travelled the world, then onto his 40 years of employment with James Walker. Some of the stories are amusing, witty and entertaining and I, quite frankly, could not put the book down until I had finished it. It contains a few 'malapropisms' but to me these add to the overall enjoyment of the book. I have read a lot of books by some well established authors but none more entertaining and 'readable' than this one. " Clive Wright, Congleton Cheshire Ebook | Kobo | Google Play | Amazon Kindle | Apple iBook | Nook

'Sharks That Walk on Land' | 'To Boldly Go' - Readers' personal note to the author, Ron Palmer

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"I thoroughly enjoyed your book: ‘Sharks That Walk on Land’ and I finished reading it yesterday as I could not put it down. Well done." Captain (Navy) Cedric Steele MsM, CD. " Just finished your book 'Sharks That Walk on Land', and I'm writing to say how much I have enjoyed it. Needless to say it is one of those books that one wishes would never end, and I must say that I have never read a better book on this subject." Dave. (Dr. Naismith) "Re: To Boldly Go. What an adventure. It was so interesting to read about all your tribulations and moments of joy as you sailed the seas despite the frustrations, time and money it often caused you." Pam Brookes, Mission BC. "Re: To Boldly Go. I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your writing and admired your courage to do such a journey and overcome so many obstacles that a life at sea must present. I also really appreciated the little history lesson and quote at the beginning

Silver Eagle (Dutch Version) - Book Signing in Veghel, Netherlands

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'SILVER EAGLE', het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers werd geschreven door Clancy's goede vriend Ronald Ooms. Al Mampre ( 92), veteran of the 101st Airborne Division 506 P.I.R. Easy Company "Band of Brothers", received a free copy of Clancy Lyall's book Silver Eagle from author Ronald Ooms. ( Veghel, the Netherlands) Ebook | Kobo | Google Play | Amazon Kindle | Apple iBook | Nook Also available in English Publisher's Website

"An incredible story of a desert runner" - Me and my Shadow by Ray Matthews

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A review by Patrick De Jong ( Desert runner and Friend) " Throughout a lifetime, everyone has the opportunity to meet truly exceptional people. I have. But only very few times have I met someone who inspires, the way Ray does. He turns concepts around, demonstrating the relativity of the “biological clock” and what can and cannot be achieved by having the right mindset. Who decides what the right age is to achieve your dreams. How many times does society impose the things we should or should not do, and what is seen as “reasonable”, and what is expected of us. There is timing for everything. Ray demonstrates that destiny is in your hands, and not in the hands of what society expects of us. Even today, practicing for sport, or in my work, or family environment, I still think back to the phrases, or moments I was able to share with this incredible man, and friend. Ray truly is, an inspirational story himself. " Paperback | Waterstones | Amazon UK Ebook | K

Silver Eagle (Dutch Version) - Pulsating war memoirs of unsung hero

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Silver Eagle - Het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers. By Karl Brockmann 'SILVER EAGLE', het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers werd geschreven door Clancy's goede vriend Ronald Ooms. Na de Japanse verrassingsaanval op Pearl Harbor en het onmiddellijk vertrek van alle jonge mannen uit zijn dorp om bij het leger of de koopvaardijvloot te gaan, besloot de toen 16-jarige Clancy dat hij niet kon achterblijven. He loog over zijn leeftijd en gaf zich vrijwillig op bij het leger. Hij maakte deel uit van de 101ste Luchtlandingsdivisie en vocht zijn eerste gevecht op het Europese strijdtoneel tijdens de D-Day Landingen. Na een nauwe ontsnapping aan de dood werd hij overgeplaatst naar Easy Compagnie 506, de beroemde 'Band of Brothers'. Hij vocht zij aan zij met zijn strijdbroeders tijdens Operation Market Garden, onderging de barre weersomstandigheden en meervuldige beschietingen van d

Precarious Career of a games inventor - Nottingham Post Author's Spotlight

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Click to read the feature . The book:  Find out about the intriguing, sometimes frustrating, world of games inventing from someone who has spent 55 years exploring it and has had over 50 different games marketed, selling around 3 million in more than 20 countries. There is also a glimpse into the fun and toil of co-writing 20 books. He didn't get rich – it doesn't work like that! Paperback | Waterstones | Amazon UK Ebook | Kobo |  Amazon Kindle |  Apple iBook | Txtr

Secrets of a School Teacher

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The Life that Jack Built By  John Butler A fascinating and heart-warming tale that is personal, historical and humorous with moments of passion and fear. It is the early 1940s; Jack is a young man leaving university at odds with himself. He tries to make a career in banking but finding himself a square peg in a round hole, so he decides to enter the teaching profession which takes him to urban and rural schools in post war Britain. This is the story of his many escapades. It is the tale of how he handles work, romantic attachments and manages to wriggle out of the tightest of situations.  Then suddenly opportunity knocks for him–it is an opportunity you’d have to be mad to take–he takes the plunge, but at the end he is in for a surprise. .. .. Find out more  

A Games Inventor Shares His Rise To Success With The Release Of A Book

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Michael Kindred featured in the Mansfield and Ashfield Chad Newspaper. Read the full feature About the book How do you get an idea for a game? What’s involved in developing it and making an initial prototype? How important is play-testing, and whom do you involve in that process? What are the tips for writing rules? How do you go about trying to get your idea onto the marketplace? What are the important parts of a contract? This book won’t provide all the answers, but it will give you an insight into the fascinating, and sometimes frustrating world of games inventing based on Michael’s 55 years of experience of the successes and failures; the laughter and tears, the delight and the boredom. Paperback | Waterstones | Amazon UK Ebook | Kobo | Tesco eBook |  Amazon Kindle |  Apple iBook | Txtr

Author Spotlight - Chris Pownall on Morgen Bailey Writing Blog

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Author Chris R. Pownall, who now resides in Nottinghamshire England, was born in 1943 in the rural Cheshire village of Bosley. He has an older sister Cynthia Edwards, who also has ambition to become a published author. Their parents, Robert and Lucy Pownall were hard working and caring individuals, whose standards and values were, rooted in the future lives of their two children. Sadly Robert died prematurely, leaving Lucy to complete the parenting of Cynthia and Chris who were 17 & 9 years of age respectively, at the time of his death. Chris failed his 11+ examination and received a secondary modern school education, leaving full time education at 15 years of age, with no academic qualifications to his name. He managed to secure an engineering apprenticeship at a nearby mill and attended Macclesfield College of further education, studying mechanical engineering until the age of 22 years.

Once Upon a Game: an extract from Derrick Knight's Ramblings Blog

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Today I finished reading my friend Michael Kindred’s autobiographical work, ‘Once Upon a Game’, being a description of his ‘precarious career as a games inventor’.  For two reasons I am mightily relieved that I can wholeheartedly recommend this entertaining book.  The first is because Michael is a very good long-standing friend and, in the world of cryptic crosswords, colleague.  The second is that I feature as one of his collaborators. Michael’s capacity to entertain is at least twofold in this piece.  The first strand of this talent is in his descriptions of the process of creativity from the, sometimes failing, germ of an idea to the shop shelves.  I found his story of how the very successful board game ‘Bewitched’ came into being fascinating and provoking of much admiration.  Without giving too much away I can record that his observation of a discarded but saved ‘just in case’ magnet from a kitchen cupboard door mechanism, led to an idea for the game that produced a surprise ele

'Funny How Things Work Out' featured in the Shipping Today & Yesterday Magazine

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'Funny How Things Work Out' | Biography | by Chris Pownall  featured in the Shipping Today & Yesterday Magazine July 2013 Read the feature This is the story of Chris Pownall’s life beginning from early childhood to retirement. Chris’ autobiography is unique because he tells his story with a slant towards the more hilarious side of his life. Chris has always had a reputation for being there when things were going wrong–but it’s nothing to do with him really! His former work colleagues will bear witness to situations involving freak weather conditions and disrupted travelling arrangements. His sense of humour has seen him through many difficult situations–which he managed to salvage with wit and discretion (Even if he says so himself). Chris enjoys humour and receives great satisfaction in giving others a reason to laugh.

Watch the Book Trailer - The Official Biography Of “Band Of Brothers” Veteran Clancy Lyall

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Silver Eagle | Biography / Military history by Ronald Ooms