It would be hard for anybody today ,whatever their age, to be unaware of the tragic sinking on her maiden voyage ,in the North Atlantic,of the giant ocean liner "SS Titanic" with the terrible loss of life of over 1500 souls .
Whilst I cannot bring myself to watch the movie I have learnt a certain amount from the many publications,notably the various books by Robert Ballard who located , filmed and photographed the wreck at great depths.
What particularly caught my imagination was the heroic story of the 8 piece 'orchestra' who continued playing mainly 'rag time' throughout the tragedy whilst others tried to find their way to safety.They all perished including their leader Wallace Hartley.I have for some time , as an amateur genealogist, been compiling an extensive family tree of my wife's family ,who are Hartley's, who originate from the Yorks/Lancs area of northern England.I discovered that Wallace who was born Walter Henry Hartley in Colne, Lancs was probably a second/third cousin of my wife's family dating back to the family in Chorlton just South of Manchester.There is in fact a museum dedicated to Wallace and his orchestra members in Liverpool.When Wallace's body was found some 200 miles away from the wreckage area he was still wearing his bandsman's uniform and a thick overcoat etc.Very brave and very sad !His body was returned to Colne and there is a monument on his grave site,complete with a violin his instrument.
Should any one like any asistance with finding books on this tragedy please do not hesitate to contact me on colnic@telkomsa.net.
Similarly if any Hartley's would like any information regarding the "family" I can be contacted as above
Friday, April 27, 2012
WILBUR SMITH SMITH AGAIN !
Just a few further words about the great man ! Now 79 years old and living in his London home with his lovely fourth wife.The old "Lion of Africa" apparently only writes a book about every 3 years,can't blame him for that.Seems he has moved further and further away from his African roots !
His books remain collectable, particularly the earlier Heinemann publications,mostly written with the assistance of his late wife, Danielle Thomas,and if you can find signed copies of these hang on to them.They are rarer and rarer.
I recently had occasion to write to Wilbur about a series of signed copies,supplying him with photographs, dating back to the 1970's ,just to verify their authenticity as a certain Welsh "gentleman" who boasts of a close friendship with the author, attempted firstly to buy them and then, when unsuccessful, cast aspersion that they were forgeries.Whilst he has not yet replied I have no doubt that he has already, knowing the straight forward guy that he is reputed to be,clarified the authencity to the Welsh "gentleman" concerned.
If you require any information or availability regarding Wilbur Smith first editions and /or signed copies drop me an e on 'colnic@telkomsa.net'. Be glad to assist.
His books remain collectable, particularly the earlier Heinemann publications,mostly written with the assistance of his late wife, Danielle Thomas,and if you can find signed copies of these hang on to them.They are rarer and rarer.
I recently had occasion to write to Wilbur about a series of signed copies,supplying him with photographs, dating back to the 1970's ,just to verify their authenticity as a certain Welsh "gentleman" who boasts of a close friendship with the author, attempted firstly to buy them and then, when unsuccessful, cast aspersion that they were forgeries.Whilst he has not yet replied I have no doubt that he has already, knowing the straight forward guy that he is reputed to be,clarified the authencity to the Welsh "gentleman" concerned.
If you require any information or availability regarding Wilbur Smith first editions and /or signed copies drop me an e on 'colnic@telkomsa.net'. Be glad to assist.
IT'S GREAT TO BE ALIVE !ALBEIT STILL LIMPING AFTER OVER 8 MONTHS.
If perchance you happen to see an old guy with a grey beard shuffling along with a crutch in his right hand in a secondhand or charity bookshop in Pretoria clutching a pile of books in his free hand,think of me ! 8 long months after having a new steel and plastic ankle joint fitted by a top surgeon I am still suffering extreme pain ! and cannot walk as far as I could before the surgery ! And I wanted it ! I pursued my medical insurance scheme for a year before they would approve the scheme.Crazy aren't I ?
Anyway I can get around and will not give up as I approach my 75th birthday,only a few week after my namesake Jack Nicholson has reached the same milestone ! Love you Jack just don't take too many Viagra at once !
That apart the lure of finding books is still as strong as ever.Just do me a favour ,don't ask me a to find you a book and the next day order it from someone else the following day ! No wonder booksellers wont try and find books for customers.
For me I love to look for books and my spirit for that remains undeminished.Not many people have had my early good fortune as a 16 year old starting his life in a major lending library in London and could walk to work every day up Charing Cross Road in Central London passing the then myriad of bookshops that then existed.Yes even passed No 84 of movie fame !
And a big thank you to all the people who offered me their seat or places in queues even if I politely(I hope) declined.
Well that's my excuse for not keeping my blog up to date !
So ,yes, times are hard ,money is in short supply ! There are always books for you. Many shops are closing in the face of falling sales and increasing rentals. (It is amazing how many landlords would rather have empty shops than lower rents to keep them occupied !).
Keep browsing that's the fun of it.
Talk to me if you have a book problem ! (27) 12 361 5144 or colnic@telkomsa.net as long as it is in working hours.
Anyway I can get around and will not give up as I approach my 75th birthday,only a few week after my namesake Jack Nicholson has reached the same milestone ! Love you Jack just don't take too many Viagra at once !
That apart the lure of finding books is still as strong as ever.Just do me a favour ,don't ask me a to find you a book and the next day order it from someone else the following day ! No wonder booksellers wont try and find books for customers.
For me I love to look for books and my spirit for that remains undeminished.Not many people have had my early good fortune as a 16 year old starting his life in a major lending library in London and could walk to work every day up Charing Cross Road in Central London passing the then myriad of bookshops that then existed.Yes even passed No 84 of movie fame !
And a big thank you to all the people who offered me their seat or places in queues even if I politely(I hope) declined.
Well that's my excuse for not keeping my blog up to date !
So ,yes, times are hard ,money is in short supply ! There are always books for you. Many shops are closing in the face of falling sales and increasing rentals. (It is amazing how many landlords would rather have empty shops than lower rents to keep them occupied !).
Keep browsing that's the fun of it.
Talk to me if you have a book problem ! (27) 12 361 5144 or colnic@telkomsa.net as long as it is in working hours.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
JOY ADAMSON....BORN FREE...ELSA THE LIONESS
Did you know that there are other books in Joy Adamson's saga about the lioness Elsa,which she reared from a cub and eventually released into the wild and their frequent encounters over many years ?
Well I did not until I came across 3 books ,Born Free,Living Free and Forever Free.
This wonderful, wonderful set of stories,captured initially in the film 'Born Free' starring Virginia McKenna were published in the early 1960's.A true and often heart-rending saga and a terrific read.
Well I did not until I came across 3 books ,Born Free,Living Free and Forever Free.
This wonderful, wonderful set of stories,captured initially in the film 'Born Free' starring Virginia McKenna were published in the early 1960's.A true and often heart-rending saga and a terrific read.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
"BILLY BUNTER" COLLECTABLE YOUNG PEOPLES READING OF YESTERYEAR.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than when am asked to find books that I enjoyed in my formative years ! and when a lovely clean copy, complete with dust jacket of a "Billy Bunter",and a first edition as well,appears before me I am really delighted.It will join my "Biggles" and "Just William" books to be found in my "Children and Just William' section on my web site, www.dougfindsbooks.com.
Just to complete my day a gorgeous copy, in great condition, of "Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame came into my possession.For me this is the most wonderful of children's books and the stories and their delightful illustrations of Toad, Badger, Rat and Mole take me back to the radio broadcasts of Uncle Mac.Oh Happy Days !
Just to complete my day a gorgeous copy, in great condition, of "Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame came into my possession.For me this is the most wonderful of children's books and the stories and their delightful illustrations of Toad, Badger, Rat and Mole take me back to the radio broadcasts of Uncle Mac.Oh Happy Days !
BACK AT LAST !
After many months of forced inactivity due to a major ankle operation I find myself back at my keyboard !Never again he says ! And I mean it !
So much has happened in the world but books are still books despite what is said about what the future offers for the good old book whether hard or soft cover.There is nothing like a book !
However despite the financial mess the world's economies are in I have no doubt that the book business will survive. Unfortunately many of my colleagues with increasing rents and falling sales may disappear but I shall with your support continue to scour the remains of the trade to find those elusive books for you !
Yes, "Doug Finds Books !"
So much has happened in the world but books are still books despite what is said about what the future offers for the good old book whether hard or soft cover.There is nothing like a book !
However despite the financial mess the world's economies are in I have no doubt that the book business will survive. Unfortunately many of my colleagues with increasing rents and falling sales may disappear but I shall with your support continue to scour the remains of the trade to find those elusive books for you !
Yes, "Doug Finds Books !"
Monday, November 28, 2011
AFRICANA,COLLECTABLE BOOKS AND ALL THAT !
Probably the commonest questions I am asked about my blog and my website is "What is Africana ?"
and I always say(relative to books) "Any book about Southern Africa,whether old or new "
This of course covers a multitude of books ! Far more than I ever dreamed ! It is simply amazing !
I have learnt a great deal about Southern Africa,South Africa in particular by just handling the books;if only I had time to read them all.
In this blog I will try and talk about the authors and their subjects.I sincerely hope that I do reasonable justice to "Africana"
Books are bought,not only to read,but to collect, to give as gifts,and to re-sell and us booksellers do our best to satisfy those needs.
Times may be hard but books are stll great ! from all those points of view !
As the Great Bard himself could have said "Read on ! Read on ! Read on !"
and I always say(relative to books) "Any book about Southern Africa,whether old or new "
This of course covers a multitude of books ! Far more than I ever dreamed ! It is simply amazing !
I have learnt a great deal about Southern Africa,South Africa in particular by just handling the books;if only I had time to read them all.
In this blog I will try and talk about the authors and their subjects.I sincerely hope that I do reasonable justice to "Africana"
Books are bought,not only to read,but to collect, to give as gifts,and to re-sell and us booksellers do our best to satisfy those needs.
Times may be hard but books are stll great ! from all those points of view !
As the Great Bard himself could have said "Read on ! Read on ! Read on !"
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