This page displays some of the many books that we have helped to publish.
A Companion for Students of Modern Greek
This book may be used with profit by anyone who is learning modern Greek. It aims to supplement the usual taught courses or teach-yourself handbooks by giving information which might otherwise be obtained only by asking a Greek speaker "how do you say this?" or "can you say that?"
A Kentish Man's Tale
This book is a personal social history account of the post war years to date. The early years now appear as remote as a lost world before the computer era. The description of the working practices gleaned from the author's experience in the old Westminster Bank in the 1960's illustrates this point vividly.
A New Beginning in Sight
Thirty years ago, if you had a cataract, your vision was severely impaired. Such suffering became a thing of the past with innovations in eye surgery and lens implants. Consultant eye surgeon Eric Arnott was one of the original pioneers of small-incision surgery. He was the first to perform modern Phaco surgery in Europe and designed lens impants that have restored the sight to millions of patients. The book is an entertaining mix of wild anecdotes (often featuring royalty, celebrities and world leaders), and historical stories about the fascinating people he knew. It also fully describes the many pioneer surgeons whose input and efforts have today made cataract surgery the most successful and commonly performed operation in the world.
A Rooftop View
In a Rooftop View we are gradually introduced to a cast of characters from the not-so-innocent bystander to the dominant and often wicked. Jane Hatton has a flair for characterisation, her heroes and villains are never bland or archetypal; they are fully three-dimensional, lovable and then terrifying by turns. This means of course that the plot is often character-driven and can take unpredictable twists and turns.
A Special Loving
Dorothy Carmadell was born in the Kolar Gold Fields, south India, and nurtured by a devoted mother who was a keen animal lover. The constant company of pets influenced her behaviour towards God's creatures and, following in her mother's footsteps, she befriended and sought strays tirelessly. At all costs and, to date, she pleads mercy on their behalf.
Firefly in the Rain
Ancestral memories stir among the people of Rivenia as a new dissident leader emerges to challenge the oppressive rule of the post-colonial dictators in the country. Known as the "Firefly", this elusive and mystical man is inspired by Rivenia's pre-colonial past when it formed the hub of an extensive trans-Saharan empire under the reign of the legendary Twelve Elders. The story of the rebellion and its aftermath is narrated by "Professor", a retired history teacher, as events quite unexpectedly drive him into the centre of the conflict and into an intimate relationship with the "Firefly" himself. His mystifying romance with the young daughter of a senior government official cuts the ground from under his feet. Extracts from medieval Middle Eastern literature and history highlight the social customs and traditions, as well as revealing the living links with the past.
Fuzzy Memories
A policeman's lot in a yesteryear constabulary recalled with factual and historical references, makes this humorous and well illustrated book interesting reading for all.
Fuzzy Moonraker Memories
A policeman's lot in a shire county Constabulary, recalled with factual and historical references makes this book interesting social history reading for all. Illustrated with the author's own pen and ink drawing, photographs and cartoons.
Haste to the Wedding
The Nankervises are planning a wedding. As one might expect from such a dysfunctional family, chaos and confusion reign - the bride's mother has disowned her, her father is about to release an entire cattery of cats among the pigeons, her sister is fighting to save her marriage she isn't sure she wants any more, and to top everything off nicely, the groom is heading for a breakdown.
Invitation to Love
Everyone is invited to personally experience unconditional love and to share it, for this is ultimately what we all want. Many look in the wrong place - outside themselves. It is in the core of one's own Being that love, peace and joy are to be found. This book desribes the author's spiritual journey and will help other seekers to find the love that is so essential to world peace and unity
I was, Sir, your Fuzzy Obedient Servant
The life and work of a Devonian, whose housemaster at school once stated in a final leaving report: "This student will serve the Community well!" Whilst it meant little to him at the time, this final book in a series of three records experiences from childhood days during World War II, National Service in the Royal Air Force, policing service in the Metropolitan Police in London, Surrey Constabulary and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. It also incorporates operating in overseas security and Law Enforcement; thus proving that earlier statement to be an astute and correct assessment of the author's potential. Illustrated by the author's own pen and ink drawings, cartoon and photographs makes this final work in a series of three on policing and living social history from 1936 to the turn of the 20th Century very compelling and interesting reading for all.
Keep Me Travelling
Henry Ormerod, a Church of England clergyman, born in 1935, has had a strong lifelong interest in tranport and travel. This book consists of his memoirs from childhood onwards and it is told with a light touch and includes some remarkable anecdoes. The title of the book "Keep Me Travelling" is taken from the chorus of Sydney Carter's hymn: "One more step along the world I go; it's from the old I travel to the new; Keep me travelling along with you."
Latinised Hymns
Mark Mortimer has taken more than 300 English hymns, including many old favourites and some less well known, and produced Latin versions of them in the same metres. They are therefore singable to the same tunes, at the same time as preserving the rhyme-schemes of the originals. He believes that what sounds good in English sounds even better in Latin.
Messerschmitts and Table Legs
David Anderson was born in 1931, during the great depression, yet in spite of the hardship of this and the dangers of the war which followed, there existed a great community spirit. Young people could roam and be adventurous without fear, either of their neighbours or strangers. A freedom denied to later generations. This short book recalls some of the adventures of his youth.
Metamorphosis of a Courtesan
The story of an art historian who, recuperating after major surgery, revisits the places which shaped his imagination when he was very young. As a professional, Leander Merten is known for his "infallible eye". And yet, standing underneath the portrait of a courtesan, he has reason to doubt his faculties. Was he right when, years ago, he had the uncanny feeling that he saw the lady in the picture undergo some changes? And why did he think that the portrait suddenly resembled a voluptuous kitchen-maid he had become obsessed with?
Mr Disraeli's "Rattle"
He called her disparagingly a 'flirt and a rattle'. She was a wealthy widow looking for adventure. He was a young Jew, twelve years her junior but willing to play. Neither of them knew then that one day he would say, 'I owe this lady all'. Queen Victoria called the new Mrs. Disraeli 'vulgar' but created her a Viscountess. We meet the great people of that age: see them through the sharp, amused eyes of an eccentric, one time little milliner whose love created a great prime minister and a great statesman.
Rough Winds
Religious intolerance in Commonwealth England and the Mogul Empire form the historical background for this enduring love story. Puritan orphan Ruth and Royalist Mark are forced to part because of family disapproval. Ruth becomes homeless while Mark's exile takes him abroad. Years later Ruth saves Mark's life during a chance meeting in India. Hardship, danger, insecurity and war provide a backcloth for their romance. They lead a hazardous existence during turbulent times and their lives are interwoven with the Indian people. On the death of Mark's older brother during the great plague of 1665 they are recalled to England and are finally reconciled with Mark's family.
Salt & Silk
From at least the sixteenth century, gentry families played a significant part in English life, acting as a social backbone, especailly of country life. Intermarriage usually consolidated their gentry status. Some climbed the social ladder into the ranks of the aristocracy, while others descended into middle class obscurity. Some acquired property only to let their estates get into the hands of creditors. Some married into money but landed in debt. The story began when Welsh-born Morgan Aubrey, disinherited by his father, ran away to London, became a Salter and left a fortune in money and land. What his descendants did with their inheritance, we learn firstly, in Salt & Silk.
Saved by the Bell
Ron flew into the jaws of death and lived to tell the tale - many did not. He thought his final mission had ended in a remote forest in France in January 1945 - little did he know that over forty years later there was yet another mission to complete. Ron reminds us of the deep camaraderie shared by those who fought against the evil of tyranny and of the compassion and generosity of spirit displayed in the midst of suffering.
Scalinger's Lot
This is a book for those who read and think. A new and rather different type of detective appears on the scene, conducting an enquiry into several interlinked but not readily explicable deaths and crimes in England and California.
Shoot Like a Gentleman
There can be few ex-servicemen who can claim to have started their service career as a naval airman (second class) pilot trainee and ended it thirty-five years later as a major general. This is the story of one who did just that, having joined the Royal Navy in 1944, just after D-Day, trained to fly with the the Royal Air Force then travelled the world as an Army officer for over thirty years. There is both humour and serious reflection in this account of what the author describes as 'a fitful drift along life's river'.
Something Gained
At the beginning of this much sought after and long-awaited sequel to Nothing Ventured, Ian Chisholm and his partner Pippa have arrived in the Lake District for a romantic break, but circumstances overtake them and it turns into a dramatic rescue bid instead. Returning home to Linchester, there is more action in the auction rooms, a health scare for neighbour Ivy, a surprise addition to the family and, after opposition from relatives on both sides, Ian and Pippa finally set everything right at a family barbeque.
Sometimes at Sea
Sometimes at Sea gives a fascinating insight to the great changes witnessed by the author in a naval career spanning 40 years. From wartime Dartmouth cadet in 1940 to Cold War captain in 1979, Captain Pakenham's career began in an era when the battleship was still a symbol of national might and naval dominance, and ended when 'might' and 'dominance' had been replaced by 'deterrence' in the form of Polaris submarines controlled from Downing Street. The period also covered marked changes in naval operational concepts, and as a deep communications specialist Captain Pakenham was very much involved in the process as systems evolved from terrestrial radio to global satellite links. This view of modern naval history is illuminated by colourful anecdotes; from the awfulness of wartime troop trains to the short but eventful life of HMS Vanguard, the last of the battleships, which acted as Royal Yacht for the Royal Tour of South Africa in 1947. The stories also include: a knees-up in the royal quarters; a flagship party from which an inebriated guest left headfirst down the gangway; and personal encounters with the ghosts of Greenwich. The book is well illustrated, humorously written, and part of the historical record. It is also a 'good read'.
Tales from Bridgetown Airport
Bridgetown Airport is unlike any airport in the world… it's not the biggest… it's not the busiest… it's not even the newest, but what makes it so very special are the planes themselves… they can talk. Come inside and meet Gemma… The Boss; George… The fastest; Jack… The Strongest. Flipper, Jose, Brusey and Zoë are all inside along with many other interesting characters. Who helps Farmer Dick out of a spot of trouble? Who saves the day for Mayor Bumble? Find out in ‘Tales from Bridgetown Airport’.
The Adoo!
An adventure crime novel set in the Sultanate of Oman, during the early 1970s. Detective Inspector Tom Ryan is a disillusioned London detective; but seconded to the Royal Oman Police in Muscat, he joins a team of Omani and British officers where loyalty and professionalism cross cultural boundaries. In the dangerous area of Khor Rori, avionics engineers from the Thumrait fighter base are massacred, suggesting a new offensive by Communist inspired insurgents - the elusive Adoo - previously encountered by the SAS. Ryan and his team investigate this dangerous and complex case.
The Adventures of Dimples the Bear
Dimples is no ordinary bear - he's full of mischief and loves to have fun. He also has a big heart, makes friends with everyone, and sneaks out at night when his owner is asleep to meet his friends Charlie the Squirrel, Badger and Fox. Although they have fun it's not always that way and sometimes things go wrong. Dimples has saved the day more than once.
The Dragon's Scales
The crafty dragon planned for an early retirement but he hadn't reckoned on the intrepid Sir Kevin and his clever horse Albert.......
The Magnificent McDowell
The Magnificent McDowell - Trinity in the Golden Era is the second book of anecdotes about R B McDowell, regarded as the most legendary and charismatic character in the entire history of Trinity College, Dublin.
The Poems of John Fennelly
As well as loving art, music and poetry, and accomplishing all three, John was also a 'romantic'. He would tell of the times he slipped out of his bedroom window before the family awoke and went for walks at dawn, and once saw a lark spiralling to the heavens........
TwentyFour7
This collection of diverse and compelling stories takes the reader into a world of circumstances that may not be too far removed from reality as we sometimes like to think. It has something for every inquisitive mind, yet provides no answers.
Vienna
This comprehensive and well-researched guide to the music and musicians of Vienna brings the musical history of the city to life. It is intended for both the visitor and the musical scholar and it contains eighty colour photographs. Clear maps mark the location of each site and the reader can enjoy the challenge of walking round the city and discovering the listed buildings with the strains of the much loved music ringing in the ears.
War Journey - Echo of Times Remembered
Four English girls living in Brazil in March 1943 leave the safety of their homes and travel to England to 'join up'. One of them is recruited as a secret agent. In enemy occupied France she sends vital messages to England, working among the country people, who refer to her as 'la petite sainte' and risk their lives to shelter her as she moves aroung the neighbourhood to be one step ahead of the Germans she knows are trying to track her down. Unbelievably, she is betrayed ... A wartime Odyssey with cruel twists of fate.
the Better Book Company