Airplanes and Seahorses

Discover the inspiring true story of two people who dared to follow their dreams and found their own paradise. Life seemed perfect for the couple, living in a vibrant city, traveling the world, and earning great money. But deep down, they knew something was missing. When COVID-19 hit, they were forced to pause and reflect. Listening to their hearts, they made a bold decision to leave everything behind and embark on a journey to find fulfilment. Despite facing uncertainty and giving up financial security, they were determined to follow a path less travelled and make their dream a reality. With raw courage, trust, and a sprinkle of magic, they eventually discovered their own paradise. This book shows that when you let go of societal expectations and follow your heart, anything is possible. 

Age of Storms: The Making of a European

“You are an enemy of the state,” my teacher, Comrade Novak, told me flatly.

We were in a classroom at the Prague 5 Elementary School, a large, new building on the hill above Hlubocepy Village that stood as a showcase of the Communist regime. Teachers there were selected for their loyalty. I was 13 years old and about to complete my eight years of compulsory education. When my comrade teacher had asked me to stay behind in the classroom, I’d expected to be praised for my good exam results. Instead, I stood before him, stunned by his unexpected outburst and transfixed by his face, which was suddenly contorted with hate. I was so scared that I went rigid, unable to respond. Children were taught that the regime was ruthless to its enemies – of which, it seemed, I was now one.

Against the Odds

Living in communist Romania of the 1970s and ’80s, Diana’s life takes a sudden dramatic turn when her diplomat father unexpectedly defects to the West.

In her biography, Diana Baleanu tells a tale of persecution, abuse and suffering endured at the hands of the dreaded dictator Ceausescu’s tyrannical government and secret service. But just as all hope of ever seeing an end to her ordeal or of being reunited with her father is all but lost, history miraculously changes its course.

Against the Grain

Frank Newman Turner, the son of Yorkshire tenant farmers, seldom ploughed a conventional furrow. Faced with a run-down West Country farm and escalating veterinary bills for an ailing herd of cattle, he abandoned the conventions of his orthodox agricultural training and set about restoring the health of his farm’s soil and livestock by working with nature, rather than against it.

His story reveals the ups and downs of going against the grain of orthodox beliefs and practices in farming, animal and human health, and militarism. What drives one to stand against a social torrent that’s rushing in the opposite direction? What can those of us carrying forward the message of environmental conservation and wholesome, sustainable food production learn from the efforts of Frank Newman Turner?

Africa in the 20th Century

The author of this book was privileged to live in West and East African countries for over 25 years, followed by a close relationship for a further ten years. There was mutual respect, while a shared sense of humour made the majority of time such a worthwhile environment to both work and play. During the author’s time in Africa there were major changes of colonies to independence, and he witnessed the respect between the nations.

Today, the relationships between peoples of different colours are so important to all our lives; sadly, we still have far too many who cannot accept this. Fundamental cultural changes of this kind take time, and it would be true to say that not enough progress has been made over the past few years.

In many areas of life, it will be the younger generations who will lead. For this reason the author hopes that this publication will be of interest to them as they continue to grapple with the problems of climate change. The book stresses discipline as a vital aspect of life; perhaps we need more of this to counter our apparent concentration on materialism.

Abdus Science

Abdus Salam, the subject of the book was a Pakistani scientist who shared the Physics Nobel Prize in 1979. Born in a remote, rural sunburnt country town in the outback of colonial Punjab, he made it to the forefront of theoretical physics. Abdus Salam compartmentalised his studies of physics, politics, religion, and family. Although his life in physics has been sufficiently covered, few have extensively studied his life and engagement in other fields. He served military regimes and was closely associated with the birth of nuclear expertise in Pakistan where his membership of the schismatic Ahmadiyah community marginalised him. His working life was divided between London’s Imperial College and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy.His fans perceive him as a victim of religious bigotry but, on his part, he did not seem to exercise scientific detachment in religion. Abdus Salam had two wives. His second wife, Louise Johnson (1940-2012), was a leading Molecular Biologist who served as Professor Emeritus in Oxford University; and it remains an awkward question as to how the two managed bigamy in Europe. Abdus Salam validated the Judaic-Muslim prohibition of pig meat and went as far as judging people who consumed pork as ‘shameless’ like the beast itself. A substantial amount of information provided in the book is supported by direct one-to-one interviews the author of the book conducted with Abdus Salam in 1984.

Abductions From My Beautiful Life

‘There is a shapeshifter asleep in my head. And when it wakes you won’t recognise me as my children’s mother, my husband’s wife, or the writer, veterinarian and advocate that I am. You won’t recognise me as someone who is alive to adventure and beauty.’

Anita Link was thirty-two years old, and six days into motherhood, when she experienced a psychotic episode and was trapped on the wrong side of sanity for the first time. It took months in hospital, medications, electroconvulsive therapy and psychological therapies to fully recover. And then, a few years later, it happened again.

This memoir is a look into what can happen to a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviour when they are ravaged by a severe mental illness. Anita writes compellingly about what psychosis, mania and catatonic depression can feel like. Her authentic narrative of recovery reveals the hard work it takes to return to normal life after being stolen away from it by highly stigmatised symptoms.

Anita has survived these abductions and returned to her beautiful life many times. This is her story.

A Young Girl’s War

Imagine growing up in London during World War II and being evacuated multiple times. Your simple way of life as an eight-year-old being utterly torn apart. Missing your family and being absolutely petrified that you would never see them again. Then, returning to London, to a life of sleepless nights in the air raid shelter – would it be enough protection from the relentless bombings? Would you see the sunrise in the morning, to see the sights of blown out houses down the street? A life of strict rationing and wondering if German invasion was imminent – would England ever be the same again?  For Sheila Nelson, this was the harsh reality of life from 1939-1945.

A Wild Life: The Edwin Wiek Story

Edwin Wiek is a true wildlife warrior. A rebel from childhood, this Dutchman is the founder of Asia's largest multispecies wildlife rescue centre, a fearless interrupter of illicit wildlife trafficking and an advisor to the Thai government on animal law reform. This was not always his life. A serious car accident led him to turn his back on a 'perfect', easy living in the fashion business in the search for meaning. He has been raided, arrested several times, injured and threatened, but his focus is unwavering. Edwin has been featured liberally on Bondi Vet, Animal Planet and National Geographic and ABC's Foreign Correspondent. He is rude, rebellious and recalcitrant, but no one has done more in Asia to give so many rescued animals as close to a wild life as possible. No holds are barred in this thorough biography of a remarkable game-changer.

A War Time Childhood And This is the Way I Saw It

I am in my eighties and have enjoyed reading books all of my life. I believe that those of us who enjoy reading books should write one and this is mine.

As a child growing up during the Second World War, family members over the generations have often asked me about my memories of that time.

This is how I remember it.

A View from the West Upper

This book will take Arsenal and football fans through a magical journey from spring 1995 right through to spring 2017. It describes the level of change in society whilst supporting a 21^st-century football club and business.

It highlights how people interact and how we look at change, but also demonstrates how important security can be too. We explore the club’s adventure on and off the field through ambition, hope, risk and success, all cross-referenced to our daily real-life journey.

This account will make you think back to those early days of change whilst making you laugh and appreciate how fortunate we are to support this great club and business.

Regardless of how long you have been supporting Arsenal, this book will be a hugely entertaining read.

A Test of Strength

From surviving childhood trauma and confiding in her doll to cope with the abuse of her father, to giving birth to a child with spina bifida at age 19, this Australian woman’s life has been marked by strength and determination. She shares her inspiring story of triumph, including her pride at winning the title of Mrs NSW in a quest to raise funds for disabled children and her bravery in facing stage three breast cancer. But her strength is tested to its limits with the heartbreaking loss of two grown children, and she shares the spiritual signs that bring her comfort during her emotional journey of writing her life’s story. This is a brutally honest and uplifting autobiography of one woman’s determination to overcome the obstacles life throws her way.