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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.
£6.99 -
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.
£9.99 -
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.
£10.99 -
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.
£7.99 -
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.
£9.99 -
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.
£7.99 -
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 -
Byron and the Kindness of Strangers
In 1938, at the tender age of eighteen months, Byron Stratford Davis, the author of this memoir, first set foot on British soil. Remarkably, from that moment, his memories crystallized with exceptional clarity, etching themselves permanently in his mind.
His mother, with a German lover back in Hamburg, may or may not have come to England as a German spy. The decision of her true intent is left to the reader’s judgment. Raised in Scotland, his mother was far from the endearing or conventional figure one might wish for. By the age of eighteen months, Byron had already developed a deep mistrust of her, and by two, he had resolved to distance himself from her entirely. Hard to believe? That’s for you to judge! This tale unfolds in a modern Dickensian fashion, revealing its truths along the way.
More than just a World War II story, this narrative is unique in its exploration of friendship and the profound impact of the City of Brighton. It’s not only a recounting of survival and self-discovery but also a love story and a heartfelt tribute to the city and its remarkable inhabitants who played a pivotal role in shaping and rescuing him.
£9.99 -
No Greater Love
In 1914 the world was plunged into the greatest slaughter of humanity in history. Of the 60,000,000 soldiers who answered the call of King, Kaiser, God and country, 14% or 6,000 per day, died!
These were not just big numbers; they were real people. This book tries to capture some of the people who were caught up in this tragedy, and tells their story, often in their own words.
Here is revealed the heroism and tragedy of all who went ‘over the top’ between 1914 and 1918.
British, German or American, no matter which side of the conflict the individual was involved, the heroism, bravery and sacrifice was the same.
£8.99 -
Midnight Train From Georgia
Midnight Train from Georgia chronicles the incredible rise of Gladys Knight and the Pips from their origins singing in a small Atlanta church to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When two families’ destinies intertwine at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, they discover the extraordinary musical talents of their children. Young cousins William Guest, Eleanor Guest, Gladys Knight, Brenda Knight, and Bubba Knight unite their heavenly vocals to form The Pips gospel choir.
We follow William Guest from his formative years in Atlanta, where his love of music is kindled by evenings listening to his family perform rhythmic gospel songs on their porch. The Pips’ journey takes them from these humble back-porch jam sessions to struggle and sacrifice on the road to stardom. With faith, fortitude and William’s grandmother’s lessons to guide them, the group overcomes adversity through the transcendent power of their music.
Midnight Train from Georgia is an inspiring tale about the bonds of family, church and music. It’s a story of poverty to fortune, innocence to experience, and childhood friendship growing into Hall of Fame synergy. Their sweet harmonies touched millions over decades, but it all started with kids finding their voices in a small Georgia choir.
£9.99 -
American Stories
Embark on a captivating journey through the eyes of a foreign student as he navigates the rapidly evolving cultural landscape of the United States in the 1960s. These deeply personal memoirs offer a unique perspective on a nation in the midst of a profound transformation, as experienced by someone who finds himself immersed in a world vastly different from his own.
From the bustling streets of Long Island, New York, to the hallowed halls of Princeton, the free-spirited atmosphere of Berkeley, the expansive plains of Texas, and the rugged beauty of New Mexico, the author’s academic pursuits take him on a cross-country adventure. As he diligently studies and works, he finds himself swept up in the powerful currents of the anti-war movement, the rise of black power, and the exhilarating spirit of Woodstock.
Far from being a mere observer, the author is an active participant in the unfolding cultural revolution, sharing his own hopes, joys, despairs, and moments of alienation. Through his interactions with the people he encounters, even in the face of adversity, he discovers uplifting experiences that shape his personal growth and understanding of the world around him.
£9.99 -
Evolve: The Journey of a New Me
In the depths of societal expectations and the struggles of migration, Ellie unveils a profound narrative of resilience. From a challenging first marriage in Iran to the hurdles of cultural acclimatisation in Australia, her story navigates love, loss, and self-discovery with unwavering courage. Through her experiences, Ellie invites readers to embark on their own transformative journeys.
eVoLvE is a transformative non-fiction work that intertwines memoir with a universal guide to self-empowerment. Crafted by Dr Ellie Nik, this narrative traces a courageous journey through the intricacies of fighting societal norms, transcending cultural boundaries, moving continents, and discovering one’s true potential. With profound insights and heartfelt storytelling, this book serves as a beacon of inspiration for those seeking to break free from the confines of expectation and embrace the limitless possibilities of personal evolution.
£9.99