Book It!

Entrepreneur, politician and philanthropist Dinesh Dhamija emerged from the recession-hit streets of 1970s West London to create, build and sell ebookers – one of the world’s premier travel agencies and a pioneer in the millennial dot.com boom, earning himself a £100 million fortune.

How did this son of an Indian civil servant, with no connections to the travel industry or technical background, end up with one of the most successful internet companies in Europe? How did ebookers withstand the serial catastrophes of the dot.com crash of 2000, the global travel freeze after 9/11 and the disruption of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, outlasting and out-performing its rivals?

In his candid, buccaneering autobiography, Dhamija looks back to his globe-trotting childhood, his Cambridge University education and the hair-raising, energising, eyepopping rollercoaster ride of his business career. Not content to retire gracefully into anonymity, Dhamija then focused his energies and talents on politics, where his insider tales from Brussels and the Liberal Democrat party expose the looming Brexit disaster.

His insights into philanthropy, investment and entrepreneurship offer a rich diet of advice, observation and storytelling, spiced with anecdote and perceptive details.

Among the outstanding businessmen of his generation, Dinesh Dhamija’s life story is one of adventure, risk-taking, ambition and unique achievement across multiple fields.

Prepare to be entertained!

Bipolar Rollercoaster

Journey into the tumultuous mind of a mother besieged by psychosis. Tasked with the immense love and responsibility of five children, she is caught in a relentless battle, yearning to shield them, yet grappling with scars from her past that hinder the very connections she desires. In a world clouded by diagnoses – Bipolar Disorder, psychotic illness, and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – clarity becomes elusive.Yet, amidst the chaos, she discovers an oasis in poetry. Each verse becomes a lifeline, a way to navigate the storm and reach out to the world. Her heartfelt compositions aren’t merely an expression; they’re a plea to underscore the importance of understanding and aiding those grappling with mental health challenges.

Bipolar Adventures

John has wrestled between sanity and insanity during a very busy professional career working for the British and American governments as an international travelling market researcher, despite his handicap of suffering a pronounced mental illness of bipolar affective disorder.

This has resulted in cycles from ecstasy to manic depression which is reflected in his candid and honest description in a humorous non-judgmental tone, and even at times of absolute despair, he has looked back over his life with a wry smile of amusement.

John hopes that you will get many laughs out of his laconic writing style, when handling the tricky subject of a mental illness. The first of a series of five short books from this new author over the near future, thus proving that truth can be more stranger and interesting than fiction.

Bill Tutte Codebreaker

BILL TUTTE CODEBREAKER 'THE GREATEST INTELLECTUAL FEAT OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.' … a testimonial to Bill Tutte and his codebreaking discovery in 1942 at Bletchley Park. Bill Tutte was a young, gauche PhD student, yet his remarkable breakthrough and continuing endeavour against a German cipher machine more complex than Enigma led to the development of the world's first programmable computer, Colossus. Colossus allowed top-secret messages between Hitler and his generals to be read within hours, contributing significantly to the success of the D-Day landings and the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany. So secret were the functions performed by Colossus that the work of Bill Tutte and his colleagues was classified for more than 50 years after the end of the Second World War. This novel not only explores Bill Tutte's codebreaking, but also examines his 'autistic' character, his background and close relationships all woven into the pressures and diversions of life at Bletchley Park. Prime Minister David Cameron wrote in 2012: We should never forget how lucky we were to have men like William 'Bill' Tutte in our darkest hour and the extent to which their work not only helped protect Britain itself but also shorten the war by an estimated two years, saving countless lives. … I can say without doubt that Bill Tutte deserves the thanks of the British people.

Beyond the Flames

As a teenager at a South London comprehensive school, young David Pike is advised by his careers master to seek employment at a local engineering factory. Determined not to do so, 'Pikey' first considers the Metropolitan Police; disappointed at their rejection, he sees an advertisement for the London Fire Brigade, who at sixteen offer him a place as a Junior Fireman.
From those early days in the 60s as a Junior Fireman, Pikey's career spans four decades and numerous jobs as he climbs the career ladder in the London Fire Brigade. On the way he undertakes a wide variety of roles, as well as organising several high profile charity events and official Fire Brigade commemorations.
David Pike's enthralling book is his own account - sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, but never dull - of his career in, and dedication to, fire fighting in the capital city. The reader will gain a fascinating insight into the workings of the London Fire Brigade and the firefighters who keep us safe.

Beyond the Dragon’s Mouth to the Land of Milk and Money

Embark on an extraordinary memoir that chronicles the remarkable odyssey of a man determined to transcend adversity, conquer racial prejudice, and fulfil his dream of becoming a Chartered Engineer. This captivating narrative traces a history that stretches back to the 1840s when his forefathers, descendants of indentured laborers from India, were brought to toil in the sugar cane fields of a British colony after the abolition of slavery. From this rich tapestry of ancestry to the present day in England, the author’s life unfolds as a testament to resilience.

Spanning continents and centuries, this memoir offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a young boy growing up on a British island colony in the mid-twentieth century. It vividly contrasts the stark realities of a tropical upbringing with the challenges of adapting to life in a temperate climate, from fog and snow to relentless drizzling rain. The simple act of donning thick clothing becomes a novel experience, as does huddling by a Valor paraffin stove in a quest for warmth and cocooning beneath scratchy wool blankets.

As the narrative unfolds, you’ll witness the profound transformation of a penniless immigrant who, against all odds, blossoms into a prosperous family man. His journey is a testament to unwavering determination, resilience, and a remarkable integration into British society, providing an intimate and insightful perspective on the trials and triumphs of one man’s quest for excellence.

Beneath the Shelter of an Ancient Tree

A voyage of family discovery reveals poverty and imprisonment in the West Country; the development of new trades in the industrial revolution; a Rabbi who doubles up as a pawnbroker; and middle-class prosperity and tragedy in the Birmingham jewellery trade. Starting with only minimal knowledge of widely dispersed ancestors this journey tracks down ancient relatives from Wales, the West Riding of Yorkshire, Somerset, Dorset, Poland and Russia. Two mayors make fleeting appearances (one in Gloucester, the other in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne). One great uncle is found to have designed the iconic gantries in the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast where the Titanic was built. A great, great, great grandfather has questions to answer about the treatment of child labour in his Calderdale spinning mill.

Starting in the late 18th century Beneath the Shelter of an Ancient Tree catalogues how and where these diverse characters lived, how they made their living, and the ups and downs of family fortunes. It comments on some of the pivotal moments that affected their progress, and draws on contemporary sources, some family memoirs, and genealogical records to build a picture of how working people and artisans gradually – throughout the Victorian era – improved their lot in life.

Being Me

A true story of a woman with Asperger’s syndrome struggling to make sense of the world. A powerful and moving memoir of upheaval, renewal, and self-acceptance. Sad and inspirational, it will give hope to many. A good read that will be hard to put down. You will be wanting more. It is emotive and evokes a strong sense of empathy in the reader. The author has given honest description of incidences that have happened throughout her life and how they have impacted her due to Asperger’s syndrome. She reached the darkest depths but managed to overcome problems and move forward with life. She sees life in a positive way, even though she is still healing. Some people will relate to it and realise they are not on their own. There are others experiencing the same. Diversity should be celebrated and not denied. A must-read for those that are interested in learning the truth.

Behind the Mask I Wear

The NHS is a jewel in our crown, cherished by the British and envied globally, yet there’s a shadow lurking behind the gleam. This book unfolds the journey of a singular nurse and the alarming challenges she confronted. Encountering bullying, fraud, and sexual harassment, alongside profound sadness and personal loss, she navigated through the mental and physical turmoil to shield not only herself but also the patients and staff entrusted to her care. Spanning a career of over forty years, the adversities she faced will both astonish and shock you. This unspoken aspect of the NHS is brought to light, revealing moments that will make you smile amidst others that will tug at your heartstrings. This valiant nurse, now proudly bearing the title ‘Doctor’, continues to practice today, her remarkable journey showcasing the profound highs and lows nestled within the heart of the NHS.

Behind the Lines

The year 2020 marks the 75^th anniversary of the German surrender in World War II. The 10^th Mountain Division, the army’s first mountaineering unit, led the Allies to victory in Italy in 1945. Their soldiers are often celebrated for their heroism and ingenuity and remembered for their steep losses in the campaign to defeat Nazi Germany. Yet it has been estimated that no more than 14% of troops overseas in World War II ever saw combat.

Behind the Lines is the story of a 10^th Mountain Division soldier from the other 86%, someone who toiled to deliver munitions and supplies to troops on the battlefront and who documented his experiences in letters home to his wife in Minnesota. Narrated by the soldier’s daughter who, some 70 years later, finally read the correspondence between her parents and became acquainted with them as they were when she was a baby, the experiences of this soldier and of the wife he left behind reveal the day-to-day challenges of their plight, the tensions but also the unexpected rewards of their situation, and the all-too-common prejudices of a tumultuous era often dubbed ‘heroic’. Behind the Lines mines the correspondence to describe the anguish and the longing of a young couple separated by a war that would change the course of modern civilisation.

Behind the Crime

Whatever the crime, there is a human story behind it, and though many crimes are frightening and even horrifying, most of them are a story of human failure. In this book, Colin tells about his journey into crime from the safe environs of the Bank of England into the chaos of disordered lives. The book is full of people with whom he worked from the late 1960s to his move-on promotion to Reading in 1979. It was South London reeling from the power of the Krays and Richardson gangs and the coming of young children to join parents who had come to England from the Caribbean ten years before. For over two years it was the desperation of Holloway prison. They are only pen pictures and are not meant to go into great depth neither do they excuse the crimes that brought them to court. They are simply a look-behind the crime to meet the people. The events may be historical, but they are still being relived today.

Before I Forget

Before I Forget is more of a medley than a memoir. It chronicles the affairs of the American University of Beirut during an under studied period comprising and following the Lebanese civil war. In recording his perception of selective periods in his lifetime the author focuses on his AUB experience and documents his text with email exchanges with university officials.

He exposes his personal experience as a student, an administrator and faculty member of AUB during a period that spans over the administration of fourteen presidents (from John Paul Leonard to Fadlo Khuri), several of whom he was closely associated with. During this period, he served in central capacities including: president of the Faculty Association, President of the Worldwide Alumni Association, Assistant Dean and chair of the Senate Steering Committee. In his engaging style the author draws attention to what he considers an association of AUB with US interests.

The book also chronicles the difficulties and strivings the author faced since his family was forced to leave his homeland. It discusses the changes the author experienced moving from Lebanon to the US as a foreign student as well as the lifestyle adjustments he had to undergo when returning to Lebanon after graduation.