All biographical and autobiographical books by Old Shirburnians.
In Love and War is the gripping account of one man’s, Captain Donald ‘Drew’ Bethell (Harper House 1934-39), war. Aged nineteen he was wounded on the beaches of Dunkirk, captured in North Africa, escaped from his PoW camp, walked 500 miles to rejoin his regiment and fought in Italy until the end of the war. Then, … Read more
Dearest Brother is a gripping memoir that follows the author’s quest to re-discover the brother. Robin Bethell (g 68), he lost through suicide in 1980. After thirty years of anger and guilt that caused him to suppress and deny his brother and his short life, his journey takes him back into his own shared past … Read more
A captivating blend of memoir and fiction, this story begins with the author’s first job at a shirt factory in the 1970s. What starts as a true-life account soon takes a darker turn when an unusual delivery sparks an investigation that uncovers sinister secrets. As a colleague vanishes, the police uncover a disturbing conspiracy involving … Read more
In Velvet: Elk. Wapiti and Deer Stories – in his compelling memoir, Dr. Jerry Haigh shares 34 years of hands-on experience working with deer across the globe. The book is divided into three fascinating sections: Part One: A behind-the-scenes look at zoo and free-ranging elk (wapiti) projects in Western Canada, blending science with storytelling. Part … Read more
The Sleep Room: A Very British Medical Scandal is a chilling exposé of psychiatrist Dr William Sargant’s experimental treatment of women in the 1960’s and 70’s at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Author Jon Stock tells the stories of these women using their personal testimonies as well as Sargant’s papers held at the Wellcome Collection and … Read more
In an age where financial dreams can seem like unattainable fantasies for Millennials and Gen Z, Risk Required is the rallying cry for those determined to seize control of their future. It’s an unapologetic guide to escaping the constraints of the rat race, amassing personal wealth, and achieving financial independence on your terms. The deck … Read more
A Suspicion of Spies – the biography of Wilfred ‘Biffy’ Dunderdale CMG, MBE. 1920 Odessa Ukraine. The Russian Civil War is at its height, a young British man working for Naval Intelligence picks up a report from one of his agents. The crew of the Russian submarine OUTKA are going to mutiny and throw their … Read more
As an Oxford undergraduate in the early 1960s, Stanley Johnson, along with two friends, embarked on an ambitious journey to retrace the steps of the 13th-century explorer Marco Polo. Their goal was to follow Polo’s legendary route from Venice to Beijing. Stanley’s new book, “In the Footsteps of Marco Polo,” begins with this adventurous expedition … Read more
This is the first known biography of Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell GCMG, former Governor of the Straits Settlements and District Grand Master of the Freemasons in the Eastern Archipelago. The book traces his early life as an officer in the Royal Marines, where he served for 15 years, ending up with the rank of … Read more
Running on Empty: 18,000 miles down Africa with Parkinson’s by Guy Deacon. ‘An immense feat of endurance, a remarkable achievement, and a truly inspirational adventure filled with courage and hope’ – Sir Ranulph Fiennes. At the age of sixty, and having lived with Parkinson’s disease for over ten years, Guy Deacon CBE set out on … Read more