Philip Algar Knihy

Tim Adams navigates the mundane early years of adulthood after leaving school in the 1950s, finding himself in a monotonous office job within a multinational company. Faced with a tedious work environment, dubious management courses, and the absurdities of National Service, he initially relies on humor to cope. However, as he seeks excitement beyond his dull routine, he encounters new challenges that reveal a more vibrant life. His humorous narrative offers a satirical take on big business, international travel, and journalism, showcasing his growth and resilience.

Set in wartime Devon, the story follows Tim, a young boy grappling with the realities of conflict while his father is imprisoned in a POW camp. His childhood is marked by the destruction around him, as he experiences the fear of bombings, the uncertainty of nights spent in a Morrison shelter, and the palpable tension of allied troops preparing for invasion. Through Tim's eyes, the narrative explores themes of innocence lost and the impact of war on a child's life.

In the struggling village of Woodfield Magna, an aging population faces neglect from both government and society as young residents flee for better opportunities. Amidst this decay, a resident in need of medical attention finds himself trapped by bureaucratic delays and financial constraints. Together with two friends, they devise a bold plan to exact revenge on the system that has failed them. Their unexpected adventure not only seeks justice but also draws national attention, challenging the oppressive forces at play and highlighting themes of resilience and community.

The story revolves around Michael Johnson, a retired man in Torquay, who grapples with boredom and a lack of purpose after losing his sense of humor. His wife, Ann, feeling helpless in rekindling their relationship, seeks a change by visiting friends in Aberdeen. This dynamic sets the stage for exploring themes of disconnection and the search for meaning in everyday life.

The narrative chronicles Claire Wright's groundbreaking independent campaign for the Devon East Parliamentary seat during the 2015 General Election. Defying the odds in a traditionally safe Tory constituency, she garnered 13,140 votes, the highest for any independent in the UK. The book, penned by a core team member, provides an insider's perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced in mobilizing grassroots support against established parties. It situates Wright's campaign within the broader national political landscape, exploring its implications and the aftermath of the election.

This is the fascinating story of Captain Stanley Algar, an oil tanker master. Captured in the Atlantic, he and his colleagues spent four years behind barbed wire. This book, partly based on his diaries, hidden from the Germans, tells how the prisoners survived, confronted starvation and reacted to camp life and German propaganda. A graphic account of their liberation, written as it happened, is included. The role of the U boats and the merchant raider vessels and their commanders is discussed. Why, initially, were they so successful? Many other aspects of the war, including the role of the BBC, the German attempt to persuade some prisoners to change sides and enemy propaganda, are considered. How did the prisoners know what was happening in the war and why was their information so accurate? What was their relationship with the guards? What correspondence with home was allowed? There is a discussion of the Nuremberg trials and the appalling cost of the war. Finally, there are many pen portraits of international leaders and 'ordinary' men propelled into another conflict so soon after the war to end all wars had been concluded.