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White Is Black
A patient’s journey in intensive care always starts like a tennis ball landing on top of the net, at the tipping point. Not only for the one in the bed.
Doctor Apfelstein, a specialist in the field, recounts his rise and fall; from flamboyance to custody; from the sleaziest north-east suburb of Paris where he may have killed some of his guests, to the jungle of Harley Street, and finally the flatlands of Norfolk.
He portrays the darkest recesses of his trade, the fleeting nature of life and love, and the blessings of all sorts of music: the soothing drug he needs.
When his own tennis ball lands on top of the net that separates oblivion from memories, at the tipping point, he has chosen his side. Memories. His way.
Translated from French by Brigid Purcell, PhD in European Literature, assisted by Philippe Grunstein, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London), Associate Professor of Medicine, for specific vocabulary of Respiratory Medicine and Intensive care.
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You Know You Love It
This is the true story of one aspiring band’s out-of-control, flat spin and predictable nosedive into rock ‘n’ roll obscurity. It’s a torrid, tragic yet hilarious tale that will surely strike a chord with many a band out there. Because these guys weren’t going to go down quietly, they would go kicking and screaming with a defiant, united swagger, and a firmly-raised middle finger directed at the tide of indifference, musical and cultural, of the prejudices of their times.
Share their journey as all their hopes, dreams and ambitions crash and burn, then apparently sink without trace, buried for all eternity... until now. For just like a fully preserved fossil, uncovered after nigh on a quarter of a century, their real story can at last now be retold in all its salacious detail. The filth and the fury, the divisions and the dirt, exposed and relayed just as ye gods of rock would have decreed. It’s a very personal, honest, warts an’ all account drawn from the diary entries of the band’s frontman and lead vocalist, Matt Fielder.
Through all the ups and downs, tears, beers and occasional cheers of life in an outmoded, but still gigging heavy rock band in the 1990s. From its humble beginnings to its ill-fated ‘Storm over London’ tour and inevitable demise, It’s raw, it’s raucous, it’s rock ‘n’ fucking roll… and you know you are going to love It!
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Not Without Her Children
Leaving family, friends, and all her belongings behind, single mother Mandy, flees from the Netherlands with her two young children. Secretly emigrating to Australia, she escapes her vicious perpetrator to start a new life in a country she had never set foot in before. Mandy’s story spans the globe. In her childhood, she grew up in Africa and her ex-husband, Janus, originally from India, married Mandy to start a new life in Europe. After ten years of marriage, when Mandy finally announced the divorce, she faced Janus’ faked suicide, attempted kidnapping of their children to India and domestic violence. Mandy shielded her children from the ‘ice aged’ child protection system in the Netherlands, which blindly stood up for Janus’ rights with no regard for the suffering this created. To fight for a new life in Australia with her children, Mandy digs deep inside herself. She faces abuse of international law, fighting every step of the way—for her children. They are her everything. A disaster is inevitable, yet, there is hope…
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The Misconceptions of Miss Harrod
Beatrice Harrod is one of several daughters of the Harrods family and is living a very comfortable life at the end of the Victorian era.However, she is not yet married and is getting to an age where this is a little worrying.She has been stuck in the Devon countryside for some years and is now in rural Sussex with her family.Her head is turned by a dashing young man in uniform and all her troubles follow this.This true story takes her from London to Paris and Vienna and later to Calcutta.She leaves chaos in her wake and causes sadness and intrigue for her family.It results in her three sons being on opposing sides during the Second World War.
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Self-Portrait of a Painter, a Triptych Memoirs
In Self-Portrait of a Painter, a Triptych Memoirs, journey through the fascinating life of a remarkable woman, born to an Irish mother and Jewish father in the vibrant, working-class neighbourhood of The Rocks in Sydney. From her roots in a Socialist household committed to social justice, she defies convention to become a celebrated portrait artist. This compelling biography traces her life’s arc, from her formative years to her education at Art School, from marriage and motherhood to the realization of her artistic ambitions.
She paints the faces of diverse subjects – some at odds with her own ideals – yet each becomes a fascinating character study etched onto canvas. As she finds love a second time, her world expands further through international travels, taking her to the esteemed art galleries of Europe.
Immerse yourself in a story rich in art, social activism, and personal growth, a tribute to a woman who never wavers in her values while capturing the essence of others. Self-Portrait of a Painter, a Triptych Memoirs is not just an interesting read; it is an exploration of a life passionately lived.
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To My Lost Son
In an instant, life forever changes.
In the raw and candid words of one grieving mother, this is the account of the moment her life changed upon learning of her beloved son’s death.
She chronicles those first tremors of loss that tear through the soul with profound and enduring impact. We walk with her as she navigates the emotional earthquake unleashed by a single devastating phone call.
This is an intimate tale that captures both the acute anguish and gradual transformation of the bereaved heart.
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Surviving Smoking Mirrors: My Reflection
Surviving Smoking Mirrors: My Reflection is a candid chronicle of Alliey’s tumultuous relationship with Josh, tracing its journey from the beginning to its bitter end, and the myriad challenges she faced along the way. Following the collapse of their marriage, Alliey finds herself entangled in a complex property settlement while enduring ongoing gaslighting and abuse from Josh. Concurrently, Josh plunges into a hedonistic lifestyle.
Amidst these trials, Alliey’s son, Camden, begins to show worrying injuries following visits with Josh, adding to her mounting concerns. As Alliey grapples with supporting Camden, her own battle with anorexia spirals dangerously out of control, threatening to cost her everything. This story is a raw and unflinching exploration of the struggles faced in the aftermath of a tumultuous relationship, highlighting the resilience and determination needed to persevere through adversity.
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Podiatrist on a Mission
What do you do when your dream falls apart? Faced with an unplanned gap year after a setback in his veterinary pursuits, David finds himself at a crossroads. Chiropody, while not his initial passion, offers him a new direction. Yet, as he delves deeper, David finds himself on the forefront of an emerging surgical field, one that challenges the conventions of the medical world. Amidst growing opposition and skepticism, many ask: Shouldn’t only medical doctors operate?
This is the true tale of the birth of podiatry and one man’s unwavering determination. Supported by his wife and driven by a vision, David’s journey from 1978-86 captures the spirit of an era and the challenges of pioneering change against all odds.
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From Dhobie’s Bight to Duntroon
Dan Simpkins, although born in Narrandera on the Murrumbidgee River in the south west of New South Wales in 1942, spent his childhood and formative years on the far north coast of the state. Because of his father’s nomadic lifestyle, he attended five different one-teacher bush primary schools, so small that on two separate occasions when larger families relocated and the little schools had to close, his education proceeded by correspondence. Stability was achieved with the award of a state bursary allowing attendance over five years at the Lismore High School. Dan worked as a bank teller in Canberra for twelve months after high school before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
This book commences by tracing Dan’s forbears as they settled into Australia, and then follows his own upbringing from the bush at Dobie’s Bight to the start of his life in the Army. It is another example of the value of hard work and education.
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Finding Myself
In the second book of this ongoing series, Royce continues his journey of self-discovery from age 14 to 18, as trauma lurks trying to hide him from himself.
Navigating life’s pains, strains and hardships while attempting to find oneself is a winding path travelled as best one can. Though often unaware, Royce moves slowly yet steadily forward despite the darkness. Dangers explode without warning - hidden perils that scar his soul and edge him further away from himself.
Not wanting to lose himself, Royce needs his inner warrior. He needs love - for himself and the world around him - though the concept of love remains unclear, given his parents’ hateful expressions of pain. Thankful for what little love comes his way, Royce intuits its importance. For it is love that helps one remember the self that dwells within. Being harsh or unkind to oneself betrays the heart of self-love.
Through his ongoing trials, Royce journeys toward the light of self-understanding. It is only by embracing one’s full humanity that true healing can begin.
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Life After a Craniotomy Operation
Step into the remarkable journey of resilience and hope with Life After a Craniotomy Operation. Our brain, often compared to a computer perched atop our heads, serves as the epicentre of our existence, enabling us to navigate the complexities of modern life and its myriad highs and lows. However, when illness strikes, rendering simple tasks impossible, fear takes hold, and the words of a wise consultant resonate deeply: fright, flight, fight—an embodiment of our struggle.
But what if a dedicated team of neuroscientists offers a lifeline? They extend a helping hand, emphasizing the pivotal word: ‘help.’ In that moment, how would you respond? Would you eagerly embrace the opportunity, exclaiming, ‘Yes, sir!’ Or would you cautiously inquire, ‘Only if it can restore my previous self?’
But pause and consider—what does ‘normal’ truly mean? What matters most is the fundamental question: Will I continue to live?
Life After a Craniotomy Operation invites you to embark on a poignant exploration of life’s fragility and the remarkable resilience of the human spirit. Within these pages, you’ll discover stories of triumph over adversity, the power of medical advancements, and the indomitable will to forge a new path forward. It is a testament to the enduring nature of the human experience and a reminder that life, even after the most challenging of circumstances, can be embraced with renewed vigour.
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A Dyslexic’s Battle
I am now over 80 and a working silversmith. I tell the story of my early life at the end of the Second World War and its aftermath of shortages and rationing. I continue with the great difficulty I had with reading and writing leading to my disastrous failures at school and my first employment as a scientific assistant in the nuclear industry. During my first job my life changed in two major ways while working for the Atomic Energy Research Establishment. Their very forward-looking attitude to further education allowed me to add more ‘O’ levels, including the very important English, but as importantly, during that time I got married and before long had a daughter as well. I then decided to make the leap and try to obtain a medical degree but with only very basic ‘O’ levels I would first have to gain higher qualifications. I left full time employment for a Technical College in an attempt to add the three ‘A’ levels required for admission to Medical School but this was of course complicated by having wife and young daughter. To support us during this time I worked as a toolmaker, chauffeur, gardener and eventually trained as a London Ambulance driver. This very tortuous journey eventually gained me a place at Guy’s Hospital Medical School. I continue the tale with a number of vignettes of life at Guy’s Hospital as a medical student and the many unusual ways I increased my income during my studentship. I cover the time spent after qualification as a houseman in other hospitals. I finish with life as a General Practitioner and in Medical Research where I gained a PhD. I found that the higher up the academic tree I climbed the less my dyslexia, which I discovered I had when a medical student, impinged on my work and life. As an aside I hope that any youngsters with dyslexia reading this account will take heart that being dyslexic is not the end of the world.
£10.99