With Father’s Day on Sunday 1 September this year, now is a great time to check out some of the great choices at Piccadilly Books. Here are some of my latest favourites.
Invasion by Frank Gardner, reviewed by Neville Our price $38.00
The Chinese People’s Republic has repeatedly made its intentions clear in that it will invade Taiwan and take it by overwhelming force. It’s 2024 with Chinese Airforce jets in the air over Taiwan and the Chinese Army amassing on the Chinese Coast little more than 150km away.
This looks like much more than a provocation; can all-out war be prevented? Britain has access to a high level Chinese source who is prepared to deliver intelligence that could deter invasion plans, so sends an MI6 handler to Hong Kong to meet with him. The handover is achieved, but Hannah is captured and disappears along with the crucial evidence. MI6 rush field operatives Luke Carlton and Jenny Li to Macau to begin their search for Hannah.
The situation is rapidly becoming more urgent with Chinese navy vessels on and below the seas surrounding Taiwan, and an elite army force preparing to make an initial thrust to destroy and disrupt defence systems and communications.
Frank Gardner has firsthand experience having been a BBC Security Correspondent covering military actions throughout the middle east, (wounded by Al Qaeda terrorists in Saudi Arabia), and awarded the OBE for services to journalism. His three previous novels are set in different theatres of conflict, also featuring Luke Carlton.
The Taiwan Invasion scenario in this decade is entirely plausible – Read Roger Boyes, the diplomatic editor of The Times. “China is stockpiling — we must do the same.” (The Times Roger Boyes August 2024, The Press 10 August).
View From The Second Row Samuel Whitelock Our price $44.99 The most capped All Black in history speaks for the record about his storied career, spanning three rugby world cup grand finals, nine super rugby finals, and 153 appearances in the black jersey. Read his own words about leadership, coaching, physical and mental toughness, and friends and foes on the footy field. Night of Power: The Betrayal of the Middle East Robert Fisk Our price $49.99 The final work of Robert Fisk, following on from the authoritative and highly acclaimed The Great War for Civilisation, which charted his 30-year career as a reporter in the war zones of the Middle East.
Around the World in 80 Years Ranulph Fiennes Our price $39.99 He’s climbed Everest, he’s run seven marathons on seven continents, he’s hauled loaded sledges across both polar ice caps and he’s circumnavigated the earth. Ran Fiennes truly is the world’s greatest explorer, and this book celebrates his 80th birthday by showcasing his greatest achievements in his own words.
Further Off the Beaten Track Dave Smith Our price $39.99 The Hunters Club are back with more hard-case hunting adventures. This time they are stalking their prey on two fronts – from New Zealand’s majestic high-country wilderness regions, to spearfishing our bountiful oceans. This is a must-read for any hunters and divers who are keen to venture off the beaten track.
The Ones That Bit Me! Camels, cows and other young-vet stories Marcus Taylor Our price $39.99 This amusing and endearing hilarious memoir of a young New Zealand vet focuses on the trials and tribulations of being a newcomer to professional veterinary life in New Zealand, and then in Newfoundland, southern England, and Jordan.Tangleby Everyday Recipes Sue Heazlewood Our price $49.95 “Tangleby Everyday Recipes” from Tangleby Gardens provides a collection of quick and flavourful recipes utilising common ingredients. It’s the ultimate guide for busy families seeking to elevate their meals. Find 80 recipes in 184 pages to seamlessly integrate into your daily menu.
