Books published by Consilience Media

From growing up in Swanley, Kent in the 1950s, through the swinging sixties, and getting into boxing and meeting Henry Cooper, to joining the family firm of chimney sweeping, David White's memoirs and recollections tell of a very different time in Britain's history, of a changing social fabric, post WWII - but at the same time, also show the continuity of community spirit and strong family bonds, with his two sons now taking on the mantle of running the family business, and grandson Harry also getting a look in.

From the author of Abigail's Secret comes another delightful tale set in Newcastle, mostly in the period between the two World Wars. Samuel has grown up in a happy home, but leaves the North East most abruptly, without saying goodbye to his parents or sisters, for a new life in London. Why did he leave so suddenly without a trace? What heartache is he trying to shield his mother from? And will he ever find his own happiness?

This tells the story of England's greatest bowler the world has ever seen. A man years ahead of his time and in many respects brought professionalism to sport. This is about the life and times of a man born into Victorian poverty and in the squalid slums of northern England who was determined that his own family was never going to suffer. A talented cricketer who challenged the Establishment with all its 'toffee nosed' social conventions. He helped to win the Ashes for England and, as well as playing for Wales later in his career, he continued to succeed for many years afterwards and not only on the field of play. "You pay and I will play for you" (and they did) that was his motivation to do well. He was actually paving the way for working-class people to have the opportunity for a much better life.

My story begins with my amazing conception against all the odds. I have an idyllic childhood in post WW2 Britain and grow up in a lovely Surrey village. I enjoy my school days, complete a secretarial course at college and find myself a good job in London. I become a teenage bride in the swinging sixties! My daughter is born in 1971 and life is good for over 44 years. In 2008 I am diagnosed with clinical depression that becomes increasingly severe while I wait for counselling, culminating in an attempt to take my life. I have absolutely no recollection of events but discover I was rescued from the train tracks by the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. I survive with severe electrical burn injuries to my skull and side of my face resulting in the loss of an eye and ear. My left arm has to be amputated in order to save my life. I spend five months in the Royal London Hospital where the trauma team exercise their expertise to save my life and the amazing care of the medical staff aids my recovery. I am delighted to discover that I have a life completely free of pain, worry or anxiety: I not only survived I am cured! I become a public speaker and as a volunteer for the KSSAA and the Katie Piper Foundation tell my story at amazing venues including The Chamber in City Hall, London, a University and a Women's Prison; I join a club for disabled swimmers and win medals in their galas; I sing with an amazing gospel choir. None of these interests had ever been on my radar yet now I have confidence to accept and relish new challenges. Life is very good for eight years but then a tragic event shakes my foundation and familiar symptoms begin to plague me; depression had returned just like before, leading me to another attempt on my life. Even more miraculously I survive again but with the loss of a leg. Unlike the first time I have to work hard at dealing with guilt, shame, panic and anxiety to reach a full recovery. In the end with support and love from my family and friends I come through and face up to my new challenges. I return to my choir, my keep fit class and my swimming club. I also accept requests to tell my story. Life is good again and I now have all the steps in place to keep it that way.

This Cartoon Collection is for anyone associated with or interested in the Royal Air Force. It is written and illustrated by a veteran with contributions from serving and retired personnel. It acknowledges the enormous debt owed to those magnificent men and women in their flying machines but focuses on the contribution made by the the humble 'Wranker' and 'Erk.' In this Centenary year it is fitting to reflect on the work and antics of the millions of male and female personnel who 'did their bit' in the shadows. It is a humouress look at the ordinary folks at the bottom of the Military hierarchy. The 'Wranker' or 'Erk' is a 'junior rank' anything from a raw recruit to a corporal. They are the RAF equivalent of the Army's 'Squaddie' or the Royal Navy's 'Matelot.' Even the humblest Erk, with barely an opposable thumb tends to consider themselves the intellectual superior of their Army and Navy siblings.Try as it might the RAF cannot function without those in support trades such as riggers, fairies, rock apes, scab pickers, blanket stackers, oggies, mouth miners, sooties, snowdrops and the rest. This is not a learned academic study and no angry rant. It is an impossible task to represent every Wranker who laboured, skived, played, dawdled, innovated, flirted, endured, prospered, suffered, sacrificed and served. This is a genuinely affectionate tribute and loud raspberry to Wrankers past and present wherever they may be. Bless them all the long and the short and the talk!

This book critically examines the case for Britain fighting the Second World War and deals with many related questions. Should Britain have given a guarantee to Poland? Was it honoured? Did the War help the Jews? Was it intended to? What would have happened if Britain had not declared war on Germany? Was Churchill a warmonger, mainly interested in achieving fame and glory? What, if anything, did Britain win? Was it worth the cost of war? Does WW2 have implications for subsequent wars? Can we believe what the politicians tell us? Many older people are uncomfortable with challenging the assumptions, myths and propaganda they have grown up with. Many younger people seem to think that "the war" (which war?) was too long ago to concern them. But these questions are as relevant and important today as they were seventy-five years ago.

Millie McDine has always been a wild, wilful girl, but a dark shadow hangs over her life. When she finds out from her dying grandmother that she isn’t, in fact, an orphan, she decides to search for her birth mother but in doing so meets a man from her past who means her harm. Can Millie discover the secrets that have been kept from her and escape her past?