review 1: I really enjoyed this memoir. It is, for the most part, well written and highly entertaining. I wasn't sure about the first chapter. It painted a dire woe-is-me tale of an boy whose adoptive parents never really loved him and could find nothing but fault in his actions. The hyperbole was golden but, thankfully, the narrative moves on and keeps the opening chapter as background fodder for the setting. A great read. review 2: This novel by highly acclaimed author of ‘the folks at fifty-eight’ is another volume to add to an outstanding collection of fiction works that exceed all expectations. This thought-provoking tale takes you on a journey of discovery through the eyes of Michael Clark, who is swept into the world of the British armed forces as a naïve you... moreng lad. I was taken on the most incredible journey right across the globe, from humid jungles to war zones in Vietnam and to the lively overcrowded regions of Singapore and Bangkok. Whilst traveling far and wide to different continents and environments, the story unravels to reveal in all its realistic truth what the main character endures and encounters with the army. Sent back in time to the sixties a lot of readers may find this a very touching, nostalgic read or simply fascinating to all who love history and learning about the culture of our past which is accurate. I connected instantly with the main character of Michael and enjoyed looking through his eyes whilst immersed within a most thrilling, exciting storyline that kept me in utter suspense throughout. Full of whit, fast-paced action and drama this is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat gripped until the very end. It was heartwarming and emotive, filled with hope and self-belief that touched my very heart and soul. Here the author has put himself within these pages that paint a most insightful, fascinating and brutally honest picture of the RAF and which is dedicated to all whom have connections with the war. This novel made me both laugh and cry, being something that every individual reader will connect to in their own personal and intimate way. For myself it was the grandfather that I sadly never met who helped to build English plains in the Second World War, who along with many others is recorded in history books and ingrained within those sheets of metal is blood, sweat and memory. I cannot enthuse enough about this author who has produced something so original, poignant and memorable that deserves to be a bestseller and something which I urge both young and old to read. less
