Rob Thompson

‘Operation Relentless' is the tough, no holds barred account of a DEA sting. Its purpose: to bring down the man dubbed ‘the Merchant Of Death'.

In 2008 the world's foremost terrorist arms-dealer was sentenced in a US court to 25 years without parole. For decades Russian billionaire, former KGB officer, Victor Bout was the world's most wanted criminal. Bout was trading arms for gems, missiles and drugs, fuelling global narco-terrorism. Shielded by the Kremlin, Bout seemed immune to capture. The NSC, CIA, NSA, MI6 and SAS had all failed to bring the Russian to justice.Mike Braun, chief of the DEA's elite Special Operations Division figured the Agency (fresh out of a string of highly successful sting operations) could ‘use a thief to catch a thief'. Indeed, they funded their operations from money and assets seized from the bad guys.Braun turned to veteran DEA Agent and former US Marine, Wim Brown and former actor and DEA Supervising Agent, Lou Milione. Together they put together the script, the plot and the cast for the Agency's most notorious, costly and risk-laden operation. Codename: RELENTLESS, its success would rely upon a former drugs-trafficker turned undercover supremo Carlos Sagastume, AKA the ‘King of Sting'. Carlos would be joined by former arms-dealer to terrorists, Ricardo Jardeno. And finally they recruited former SAS man and sanctions-busting bush pilot, Mike Snow, known to all as ‘The Bear'.It was while operating his own small airline in South Africa that Snow had got to know Viktor. A chance remark at a social evening with one of Snow's old friends led the DEA to contact him and to persuade him to work with them to capture Bout.Damien not only tells this story by weaves in the background stories. These help to flesh out our protagonists and villains. For example:- Mike survives an airport "attack" in Uganda when a refugee woman decides to cook food on top of an artillery shell casing, making it detonate.- Victor takes videos of everywhere he goes and gives an interview to the Time magazine.- The Taliban forces a Russian plane to land in Afghanistan. The crew, after 370 days of captivity, manages plan an escape.

Written with authenticity and attention to detail this reads like a novel. The characters are well rounded and the action is well told. It treads a fine line between being a dull recounting of dry facts and a swashbuckling account. Here Lewis' pulls off the difficult balance. He has produced a book which is not only very readable but also contains key facts. It's all presented in a way which holds the reader's attention and is a decent enough good read.

So why only 3 stars? Because it's about 25% too long. I'm sure certain details and conversations could have been skipped. And by doing this it would have made it even more readable.

Damien Lewis's book lays out how close Hitler came to developing nuclear weapons. Even now, this prospect makes me shudder.

The action in this book focuses on Operation Freshman, Grouse and Gunnerside. These bring home the sacrifices and the incredible bravery shown by the men involved.

The production of heavy water was judged to be a serious enough threat that at least five separate attacks were launched during World War II.
:: On 18 October 1942, four Norwegian SOE (Special Operations Executive) agents were parachuted in on a reconnaissance operation code-named ‘Grouse'.
:: On 19 November 1942, Operation Freshman was conducted by the British as a Combined Operation involving the RAF and the Army. This used two Halifax bombers, each towing a glider. Three of these aircraft crashed. The survivors were captured and executed by the Germans.
:: In February 1943, SOE's Operation ‘Gunnerside' parachuted another six Norwegian agents into the area. They joined forces with the four from ‘Grouse'. They successfully attacked the Rjukan electrolysis plant on the night of 28 February-1 March 1943. This resulted in the loss of 500kg of heavy water and destruction of the heavy-water section of the plant.
:: On 16 November 1943, an American air raid took place, but there was minimal damage to the electrolysis building.
:: On 20 February 1944, a successful attack by Norwegian resistance sank the ferry “D/F Hydro” that was taking a shipment of heavy water to Germany.

Damien Lewis has an easy writing style. This means that it never feels like you're reading a textbook . One complaint is that sometimes Damien tries to overbuild the tension. But that's a minor issue and does not detract from enjoying the book.

All in all an incredible story of the bravery of a handful of men who may well have saved the world. Brilliantly told with amazing detail. You can almost feel the cold and the deprivation they suffered while preparing for their raids. Describing the harsh and harrowing reality of war too, when men are sent on desperate missions with little or no chance of survival.

We salute them.

Roger Moore's James Bond Diary by Roger Moore

Roger Moore's James Bond Diary is an account of his filming the movie Live and Let Die and was published in 1973. The book opens with an acknowledgment to Sean Connery, with whom Moore has been friends for many years: “I would also like to thank Sean Connery – with whom it would not have been possible.”

This pun really sums Sir Rodge up and sets the tone for the rest of the book.

Being a big Bond fan, and also a big Sir Rodge fan (check out his recent books and autobiography, they're very good) I picked up this curiosity of a book from eBay for a couple of pounds. Its written in his usual dry and witty style and was thoroughly entertaining. There's not a great deal of depth to it, for example there were no profound insights into his acting method, characterisation, effect of working on location on relationships and family, etc rather its a straightforward account of filming a Bond movie; the day-to-day grind, pressures and frustrations. What I picked-up from the book is:

- Rodge knows everyone; to him networking and socialising is critical and he probably rather enjoys it
- He's a professional: he turns up for work, delivers his lines and is clearly doing a job which he loves
- He seems to be prone to illness both real and imagined
- He understands the value of money and how much he is worth
- He uses humour to try to put others, and possibly himself, at ease and he definitely doesn't take himself too seriously

You get the impression that Rodge was rather shocked at being cast as Bond, especially as he was in his mid-forties at the time (Bond is portrayed in his early to mid-thirties in the books) and in real life Sir Rodge is definitely not an action hero. So, in summary a light-hearted and easy read which records each day's shooting, and includes insights into the other activities which occur when the cameras stop turning.

Every day we all go into natural hypnotic trances. Driving to work without even remembering it. Being in a meeting where your mind has wandered. It is this state of mind that is used in cognitive hypnotherapy. It blends hypnosis with cognitive behavioural therapy. It also uses tools from positive psychology, cognitive theory and neuro-linguistic programming.

Hazel uses a blend of theory and exercises in this book. She makes it accessible and engaging. Using her own experiences to show how the suggested exercises helped her.

Highly recommended.

Firstly, the title is misleading. The book covers the history of the Space Race from the 1950s to the end of the Apollo programme in 1972. It does this by examining both the Russian and American sides of the story.

It starts with its origins in the ballistic missile-based nuclear arms race between the two nations that occurred following World War II. The technological advantage required to rapidly achieve spaceflight milestones was seen as necessary for national security, and mixed with the symbolism and ideology of the time. The Space Race led to pioneering efforts to launch artificial satellites, uncrewed space probes of the Moon, Venus, and Mars, and human spaceflight in low Earth orbit and to the Moon.

The competition began in earnest on August 2, 1955 when the Soviet Union responded to the US announcement four days earlier of intent to launch artificial satellites for the International Geophysical Year, by declaring they would also launch a satellite “in the near future”. The Soviet Union achieved the first successful launch with the October 4, 1957 orbiting of Sputnik 1, and sent the first human to space with the orbital flight of Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. The USSR also sent the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, into space on June 16, 1963, with numerous other firsts taking place over the next few years with regards to flight duration, spacewalks, and related activities. According to Russian sources, these achievements lead to the conclusion that the USSR had an advantage in space technology.

According to US sources, the “race” peaked with the July 20, 1969, US landing of the first humans on the Moon with Apollo 11. Most US sources will point to the Apollo 11 lunar landing as a singular achievement far outweighing any combination of Soviet achievements. In any case the USSR attempted several crewed lunar missions, but eventually canceled them and concentrated on Earth orbital space stations, while the US landed several more times on the Moon.

In summary, the problem with a book about the Apollo programme is that it's hard to find something that hasn't been said before. With his engaging prose David Whitehouse manages to make the story feel fresh. Recommended.

This was the first Chris Ryan book that I'd read. In this short story the character of Danny Black is a lone wolf on an unofficial mission. In this teaser novel between the second and third books in the series the reader is exposed to lots of action crammed into just over 100 pages. The story can be read standalone but it hints to a bigger story. This story is explored in the other paperbacks in the Danny Black series.

Ryan writes fairly simply. He's direct and to the point. This doesn't mean that the book isn't gripping. Nor does it mean the book lacks detail. Ryan's technical descriptions help give the far-fetched tale an air of plausibility and authenticity.

So, in summary I'd be happy to pick up another Chris Ryan novel. They are easy to read and hard to put down, especially if you love non-stop gruelling action.

Can you hear me Stephen?


Toast of London is a British television sitcom set in London. Arthur Mathews and Matt Berry created it. And it stars Berry as Steven Toast, the central character of the series. Toast is a bumbling, self-important actor. He's an unsuccessful ladies' man and often the bearer of bad fortune. Toast considers himself a success despite his failing career. He is eccentric, with a chequered past who spends more time dealing with his problems off stage than performing on it.

In 2015, Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews published Toast on Toast: Cautionary tales and candid advice. This is the spoof autobiography of Steven Toast. It was also released as an audio book read by Matt Berry. This is the version you should get. Steven Toast tells his tall tales, part memoir, part “how to act” manual, with lots of sweary words.

Toast also breaks down the craft into simple bullet points. These are as easily digestible as liquidised water. He also offers his own views on the industry. Not always a laugh out loud listen, but it is very enjoyable. Recommended, if like the TV series and his unique “toastmodern” approach to life.

A mix of high politics laced with popular culture and sociology

The 1960s was the decade in which the British public fell in love with the consumer society. It was also the decade of the liberation of the individual. Unfortunately, people paid for these “freedoms” in the 1970s. Drawing on a huge range of sources, Sandbrook weaves an effective tale. He contrasts the stories of three prime ministers'. All make doomed attempts to run the economy in partnership with the trade unions. And all sustained the UK economy by borrowing, not caring about the collapse of the manufacturing sector. They all gave into the demands of organised labour. In particular, Sandbrook identifies Wilson as the villain. And Tony Benn plays the pantomime clown. At the end of the decade it all led to the collapse of left-wing virtues such as collectivity and solidarity. The groundwork was thus laid for Thatcher. Who promised a narrow, consumerist ambition for a better life.

Sandbrook enhances his political narrative with the books, films and television of the period. All offer evidence of a deep malaise. A suspicion that we spent too much moral capital. That insurrection might lurk around the corner. Ultimately though, Seasons in the Sun is strong in narrative and anecdote, weak in depth and analysis. But saying this Sandbrook's prose carries the narrative along. The conclusion: he is right to argue that the 1970s was the most:
“decisive moment in our recent history.”

Space: 1999 was originally launched in September 1975. It was lavish, it was expensive, it was thrilling, and it was packed with stunning effects and exotic alien worlds. It told the story of the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, forced to journey into the unknown when a freak nuclear accident blasts the Moon out of Earth's orbit and into deep space. In this updated retelling, we have a new, full cast. Highly recommended for fans of the original series.

The date is 9 September 1999. An Eagle transporter has landed at Nuclear Disposal Area Two on the far side of the Moon. The isolated site is a vast repository for atomic waste shipped from Earth. Automated handling equipment unloads numerous lead drums from the craft, lowering them into one of the many storage shafts dug into the lunar surface. During this operation, two space-suited technicians enter the restricted area. The men begin a methodical survey of the radiation-proof synthocrete covers sealing the shafts, searching for the slightest indication of radiation leakage.The operation is under the supervision of Professor Victor Bergman and Doctor Helena Russell, whose attention is focused more on the 'scopes recording the men's vital signs than the radiation detectors. As they watch, the brain-wave patterns of one man, Jim Nordstrom, go haywire. After suffering an apparent seizure, the man goes berserk. He attacks his co-worker then runs into the laser barrier which surrounds the restricted area. Nordstrom is repelled and falls, smashing his helmet open on a rock. One unnaturally opaque green eye stares sightlessly through the splintered visor as he dies from explosive decompression.During this, Eagle Two is seen en route to the Moon. Its sole passenger is John Koenig, the newly appointed commander of Moonbase Alpha, a self-sustaining lunar colony built by the nations of Earth as a centre for space research and exploration. Gerald Simmonds, chief executive of the World Space Commission, calls to impress upon Koenig that nothing must delay his first assignment: the launch of the manned deep-space probe to the planet Meta. A viral infection plaguing the Meta Probe astronauts and other operatives on the Moon must not be an obstacle.After Simmonds signs off, Koenig's ship passes the Space Dock, a space station in lunar orbit; as he watches, the Meta probe ship docks with the station. Meta is a rogue planet currently passing through the outer limits of Earth's solar system. The planet was discovered when radio astronomers were tracking a series of repetitive radio signals approaching from deep space. Photographs sent back from the latest robot probe, Spacefarer 9, confirm that Meta possesses an atmosphere. Hopes are high that the upcoming mission will find Meta supporting some form of intelligent life.Eagle Two touches down and Koenig is met at the travel-tube station by Bergman, an old friend and university mentor. The professor informs Koenig that, in addition to a news blackout, all routine travel has been suspended due to the medical crisis. After the two men reach Koenig's office, Bergman reveals a closely guarded secret—the 'virus infection' is a cover-story. No one knows what has killed nine workers at Disposal Area Two and affected Probe Astronauts Eric Sparkman and Frank Warren. Bergman suggests Koenig meet with Helena Russell, head of the Medical Section. He is intrigued when the professor reveals the previous commander had suppressed her findings.The next morning, Koenig meets with Helena in her office. As both try to ignore the obvious attraction between them, Helena delivers her report. The symptoms of the affected men are consistent with radiation-induced cerebral cancer—a malignant brain tumour causing first disorientation and aberrant behaviour, then coma and death. However, there has been no sign of radiation exposure detected in any of the victims. There is also no connection between the disposal-area workers and the Meta Probe crew. Visiting the astronauts, Koenig is shocked by what he finds in Intensive Care: two unresponsive vegetables, staring sightlessly with milky green eyes.Knowing that the Meta Probe astronauts will never recover, Koenig confers with Captain Alan Carter, head of Reconnaissance, about the feasibility of continuing the mission with the back-up crew. The Australian astronaut (knowing only the 'virus infection' cover-story) responds negatively, but promises that his staff will expedite preparations for the launch. Helena, though, will not vouch for the continued health of the back-up crew, as their working and living conditions have been identical to the affected astronauts.Simmonds calls and is briefed on the current situation. Koenig is unsettled by the Commissioner's lack of concern over the deaths and his insistence on maintaining appearances for the sake of political manoeuvring (especially as the International Lunar Finance Committee meets on the fifteenth to discuss the budget for the coming year). He makes a deal with Simmonds that will temporarily suspend atomic-waste shipments from Earth, giving him time to investigate the cause of the silent killer on the Moon. In return, Koenig guarantees the Meta Probe will be launched.Koenig and Bergman fly to Area Two to oversee another radiation check. Their Eagle first approaches Disposal Area One, where operations ceased five years previously. When questioned, the pilot, Collins, informs Koenig that Area One is a turning point for travel to Area Two—being one of the few constructs on the Moon's far side, it is known as Navigation Beacon Delta. Bergman informs Koenig there is no indication of any radiation leak at this site. As they proceed on, the viewer sees Collins display a facial tic then begin to repeatedly rub his right eye.At Area Two, Koenig and Bergman observe the two technician-volunteers scan the waste-pit covers for the slightest hint of radioactive emission. Proceeding without incident, the survey results in another negative reading. Suddenly, a psychotic Collins—his right eye now opaque green—raves he must get out. He rushes at the monitoring depot's windows and attempts to bash one out with his space helmet. In the ensuing scuffle, Koenig manages to stun the astronaut. The group escapes from the compartment just before the fractured window ruptures.Returning to Moonbase, Koenig discovers Warren has expired. Soon after, Helena pronounces Sparkman dead, shutting off his life-support system. Revealing the true nature of the 'virus infection' to Carter, Koenig suspends the Meta Probe launch until the cause of death is discovered. The Commander then spends a sleepless Alpha 'night' listening to the Meta signals. As he broods over the events of the past few days, he thinks to himself that what Neil Armstrong declared to be a 'giant leap for mankind' in 1969 has proven to be more of a stumble in the dark.Electronic detective work by Benjamin Ouma, head of the Computer Section, reveals the correlating factor between the Meta Probe astronauts, the pilot Collins, and the disposal area workers who developed the illness: they have all flown over Navigation Beacon Delta—the obsolete Disposal Area One—on numerous occasions. An examination of the probe astronauts' training flights reveals times where some influence blanked out the flight recorder over that location. A check is made on Area One and senior data analyst Sandra Benes reports rising heat levels. Remote cameras show the concrete mounds glowing redly. Despite the heat, there is no detectable radioactivity.After the cameras burn out, Koenig flies out to Area One himself to observe the situation. The mounds are now emitting strange flares of energy. While over the site, his Eagle's flight controls suddenly fail and he manages a crash-landing some distance away. Moments later, Area One is consumed by a series of explosions. The Commander, retrieved by the search-and-rescue team, is brought back to Alpha for medical assessment. After he is given a clean bill of health, a concerned Helena berates him for his recklessness. Amused, Koenig retorts, 'I didn't know you cared.'Investigating the explosion, Bergman finds an instrument salvaged from the site that recorded a sharp increase in magnetic activity. Further research reveals a never-before-seen reaction from the accumulated atomic waste—powerful emissions of magnetic radiation. These wild surges of energy are responsible for the sudden brain damage and the flight-instrument failures; as seen at Area One, the unstable waste material eventually explodes. Unwilling to risk more lives, Koenig and Helena declare Area Two off limits. To obtain further data, a remote-controlled Eagle is flown over the site. Soon after arriving, a magnetic surge fries the ship's control systems and it crashes.To force a face-to-face confrontation with Simmonds, Koenig transmits an emergency code—then is ‘unavailable' for the follow-up inquiries. On 13 September 1999, the Commissioner travels to Alpha. Unwilling to acknowledge the danger, he questions whether Area Two is an actual threat. Heat levels there are rising and, as Bergman points out, it contains over one hundred forty times the amount of atomic waste buried at Area One. Simmonds wonders if, like Area One, it could simply burn out in a sub-surface firestorm. Koenig insists there can be no hope of a controlled reaction—they are sitting atop the biggest bomb ever made by Man.Simmonds seizes on Bergman's suggestion to disperse the waste over the Moon's surface; by breaking up the accumulated mass, they might reduce the potential of a nuclear explosion. Eagles fitted with electromagnetic winches proceed to Area Two. They begin the slow process of emptying the forty-eight silos one canister at a time. The heat level holds, but there are disturbing indications of magnetic-field fluctuations. With all the Eagles committed to the operation (and two already forced to return to base with guidance-system damage from the magnetic-field effect), Koenig has Carter commandeer Simmonds' Eagle for a high-altitude observatory flight.Simmonds confidently declares the situation to be under control, suggesting they draft a communiqué to the Space Commission to dispel any doubts. An exasperated Koenig tries to give the politician a reality check when the magnetic field surges off the scale. Energy discharges shoot from the open waste pits. An ever-growing chain reaction of explosions obliterates Area Two and spreads to the waste canisters strewn over the lunar surface. Only those Eagles not over the site escape destruction. In mere seconds, the entire area erupts in a colossal fireball that rocks the entire Moon.At Alpha, seismic shocks fracture the crater floor, rupturing several buildings of the installation. All personnel are hurled to the floor, pinned down by tremendous g-forces—the force of the explosion is rapidly pushing the Moon out of orbit. In space, the Moon's violent motion sends the orbiting Space Dock tumbling out of control; the Meta probe ship is flung away into space as the station blows apart under the strain. Carter fights to keep his Eagle under control and in range, radioing Alpha with a running commentary as the Moon accelerates away from Earth, propelled by the rocket-like thrust of the nuclear blast.Koenig drags himself to the communications desk; with great effort, he reaches up and opens a channel to Carter. The astronaut reports Eagle One was caught in the Moon's gravitational field and has been carried along with it. He will make it back to base. As the waste pile stops fissioning, acceleration drops and the overpowering g-forces abate. Adjustments made to the base's artificial-gravity field help compensate. Alpha has sustained damage, but is operational. As the senior executives try to figure their next move, a live visual from the Mars satellite documents the Moon's rapid plunge out of the solar system.Koenig orders Central Computer to assess the chance of successfully executing Operation Exodus, the emergency evacuation plan. With the Moon moving on an unknown trajectory and experiencing constantly shifting g-forces, current conditions match no recorded parameters. Computer concludes human decision is required. Koenig then informs the population of Alpha of their present situation. Under current conditions, he assures them, there is the possibility of a continued existence in space. They are alive, the base is intact and has sustained power and environment. As any attempt to return to Earth would fail, he concludes, they will not try.Second-in-command Paul Morrow scans all frequencies for any signal from Earth, intercepting an American television newscast. The newsreader reports on the calamitous effects the Moon's departure has had on Earth—tidal waves and major earthquakes along established fault lines in the United States, Yugoslavia and southern France. Regarding those stationed on Moonbase Alpha, the loss of the Space Dock ended any attempt to improvise a rescue attempt. As the signal fades, the newsreader comments little hope is held that any of Alpha's 311 personnel survived the catastrophe.With this last contact with Earth gone, the Main Mission staff despondently listens to the hiss of static. Their hopes are lifted as the mysterious electromagnetic noise from Meta fades in over the speakers. As the Meta signals increase in strength, Koenig speculates aloud that Meta may be where their future lies.

The Problem of Thor Bridge is a Sherlock Holmes love triangle gone bad! Sort of.
One character is framed for a serious crime. But, when Holmes takes the case, we find out that everything is not as it appears. It's the classic impossible crime setup. A body with a bullet hole in the head. But without any sign of a weapon. The police find the murder weapon hidden in the most likely suspect's room. They also discover a note from the suspected murderer arranging to meet the victim at the time and place of their death. Of course, once Holmes reveals the most obvious is wrong, and the actual solution it is simple.

The story is notable within the Sherlock Holmes canon for the initial reference to a tin dispatch box. In this Dr. Watson has papers of some of Holmes' unsolved or unfinished cases. According to Watson: “Among these unfinished tales is that of Mr. James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world”. The unknown fate of Phillimore has been a subject for other stories. As have the papers themselves.

A decent tale, with some nice twists.

This was a strange but dated adventure. There is a decent amount of racist stereotyping and sexism, which I struggled with.

Mary Maberley asks Holmes for help. She's an elderly woman who lives in a house called the Three Gables. Holmes becomes interested as a hired thug, Steve Dixie, threatens him not to get involved. Holmes finds out a man named Haimes-Johnson has approached Mrs. Maberley. He said he was acting on behalf of someone who wanted to buy her house and all its contents. Mrs. Maberley turned down the offer. The reason: the buyer would not allow her to remove anything from the house.

Holmes suspects that Haimes-Johnson's mysterious client wants something valuable which, unknown to her, has recently come into Mrs. Maberley's possession. There is a robbery at the Three Gables. The only items that are taken are from trunks that arrived a few days earlier. These contain the personal effects of Mrs. Maberley's recently deceased son.

Not bad. But not the best.

“Destiny awaits the world of Metelaze. Mighty will be our future. To us will come the races of the galaxy. To us will come the wealth of a universe. Too long have we rested beneath the Terran heel. Very soon now we shall strike off the chains of our oppressors. Metelaze shall be free!”

This sort of propaganda was always common among the demagogues of backward planets that had received help from Terra. But Metelaze was different. For there the promise held out was that secrets of the ancient pre-galactic science were becoming available, that an offer was being made that “could not be refused.”

To Cap Kennedy fell the task of finding out. Were there really unknown scientific marvels available on Metelaze? Who was behind these offers of total power and absolute wealth? What, in fact, was the monster of Metelaze? And how could such a monster out of time and space be stopped?

I miss series like Cap Kennedy. Written by E. C. Tubb (author of the popular Dumarest series) under the pen-name Gregory Kern. They seamlessly blend James Bond, Perry Rhodan, and Doc Savage.

This third book in the series was the first book to feature Earth's troubleshooter Cap Kennedy's colleagues. The result is mixed as it reduces Cap to almost a supporting character. The weakest book of the series so far.

Tubb turns his hand to fantasy

There was something eerie about the storm . . . The blizzard had risen too fast, the wind howling as if from the throat of a rabid dog . . .the entire world had turned into a featureless hell of ubiquitous white. A world in which Malkar knew himself . . . to be completely lost.

I adore Tubb stories, and his Dumarest series of books. At his best Tubb's writing is sublime. He describes people, places, events and worlds in rich, poetic detail. This tale rattles along at a fair pace. Lots of action, terrible villains and monsters. Sure, some of the text comes from previous Tubb stories such as, “Planet of Dread” but so what? With Ron Turner completing an awesome cover, I absolutely loved it.

Over their 50-year career Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais amassed more than 60 IMDB credits to their name. These include The Commitments, Tracey (Ullman) Takes On, Flushed Away and The Bank Job, plus uncredited script doctor work on the likes of Never Say Never Again and theatre activities like Anyone For Dennis and the West End musical version of Billy Liar. They undoubtedly possess a gift for crafting words. Therefore my expectations were high.

But, unfortunately, I felt the style in this book was a little disappointing. Each writer narrates their stories in a kind of tag-team arrangement. They drop names liberally. The enthusiastic praise for yet another “lovely” and “talented” acquaintance becomes repetitive. Plus we don't get a huge amount of specific detail on their most popular creations. ‘Porridge', ‘Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads' or “Auf Wiedersehen” for example. It's practically like a transcript of a chat show with a disjointed and slightly random narrative. And its scant on autobiographical details, even though these are often the best bits.

In summary, it's all entertaining enough but somewhat tepid.

New Writings in SF 28 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Kenneth Bulmer, the seventh volume of nine he oversaw in the New Writings in SF series in succession to the series' originator, John Carnell. It was first published in hardcover by Sidgwick & Jackson in 1976, followed by a paperback edition issued by Corgi in 1977. The contents of this volume, together with those of volume 27 of the series, were later included in the omnibus anthology New Writings in SF Special 3, issued by Sidgwick & Jackson in 1978.The book collects several novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with a foreword by Bulmer.I read the short story, Face To Infinity by EC Tubb.[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.This is a rather weird short story. It tells the tale of a man in in suspended animation. Traveling though space his brain controls his craft. An accident condemns him to a living hell across the light years.I think Tubb must have been under the influence of something when he wrote this. Not one of his classics, but interesting non the less.Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Authentic Science FictionAuthentic Science Fiction was a British science fiction magazine published in the 1950s that ran for 85 issues under three editors: Gordon Landsborough, H.J. Campbell, and E.C. Tubb. The magazine was published by Hamilton and Co., and began in 1951 as a series of novels appearing every two weeks; by the summer it became a monthly magazine, with readers' letters and an editorial page, though fiction content was still restricted to a single novel. In 1952 short fiction began to appear alongside the novels, and within two more years it completed the transformation into a science fiction magazine.Authentic published little in the way of important or ground-breaking fiction. The poor rates of pay—£1 per 1,000 words—prevented the magazine from attracting the best writers. During much of its life it competed against three other moderately successful British science fiction magazines, as well as the American science fiction magazine market. Hamilton folded the magazine in October 1957, because they needed cash to finance an investment in the UK rights to an American best-selling novel.As for the story itself, Tubb describes how a young man, Delmar, had ideas about making men great. High ideas, ideas that other have had. And others have suffered for. Tubb takes societal conformance to norms to the extreme. And warns us of the consequences. A cautionary tale still relevant today. Nonconformity against what you're expected to do, achieve or behave. Are we willing to stop others being themselves?Get a copy here.

[a:Edwin Charles Tubb 14053911 Edwin Charles Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.In this short story we see a spaceman who is tending a ship full of colonists in suspended animation. The ship, however, despite its foolproof machinery, would need a Guardian, a Caretaker, and what if he should get delusions? And what could be done to prevent a disintegrating human mind deciding to do the wrong thingA philosophical story which provides an insight into the human psyche. A thought provoking story packed into a brief, half an hour read.Download a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.The old system of trading beads and glass to the natives might still be a worthwhile project on alien worlds, but a lot would depend on what the natives offered in trade.This short story sees a mysterious object being traded to humans, who are visitors on an alien planet. Unfortunately, the items traded doesn't give them the jackpot or wealth and fame they first thought. In fact, it's downright dangerous!An enjoyable Tubb tale. Well formed, and thought provoking. One of his better yarns from the early 1960s.Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Authentic Science FictionAuthentic Science Fiction was a British science fiction magazine published in the 1950s that ran for 85 issues under three editors: Gordon Landsborough, H.J. Campbell, and E.C. Tubb. The magazine was published by Hamilton and Co., and began in 1951 as a series of novels appearing every two weeks; by the summer it became a monthly magazine, with readers' letters and an editorial page, though fiction content was still restricted to a single novel. In 1952 short fiction began to appear alongside the novels, and within two more years it completed the transformation into a science fiction magazine.As for the story itself, Tubb takes us to Mars. An injured astronaut is desperate to see his new wife. He goes bonkers on the trip back and smashes in the skull of his annoying co-pilot. Then tries to cover it up (badly). As ever, the end of the story has a twist in the tale. A psychological investigation by Tubb, something he excels at. And while the language of the story is firmly set in the 1950s, it still has the ability to capture the readers attention.Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Authentic Science FictionAuthentic Science Fiction was a British science fiction magazine published in the 1950s that ran for 85 issues under three editors: Gordon Landsborough, H.J. Campbell, and E.C. Tubb. The magazine was published by Hamilton and Co., and began in 1951 as a series of novels appearing every two weeks; by the summer it became a monthly magazine, with readers' letters and an editorial page, though fiction content was still restricted to a single novel. In 1952 short fiction began to appear alongside the novels, and within two more years it completed the transformation into a science fiction magazine.Authentic published little in the way of important or ground-breaking fiction. The poor rates of pay—£1 per 1,000 words—prevented the magazine from attracting the best writers. During much of its life it competed against three other moderately successful British science fiction magazines, as well as the American science fiction magazine market. Hamilton folded the magazine in October 1957, because they needed cash to finance an investment in the UK rights to an American best-selling novel.As for the story itself, Tubb describes how a young man, Delmar, had ideas about making men great. High ideas, ideas that other have had. And others have suffered for. Tubb takes societal conformance to norms to the extreme. And warns us of the consequences. A cautionary tale still relevant today. Nonconformity against what you're expected to do, achieve or behave. Are we willing to stop others being themselves?Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Nebula Science FictionNebula Science Fiction was the first Scottish science fiction magazine. It was published from 1952 to 1959, and was edited by Peter Hamilton, a young Scot who was able to take advantage of spare capacity at his parents' printing company, Crownpoint, to launch the magazine. Because Hamilton could only print Nebula when Crownpoint had no other work, the schedule was initially erratic. In 1955 he moved the printing to a Dublin-based firm, and the schedule became a little more regular, with a steady monthly run beginning in 1958 that lasted into the following year. Nebula's circulation was international, with only a quarter of the sales in the United Kingdom (UK); this led to disaster when South Africa and Australia imposed import controls on foreign periodicals at the end of the 1950s. Excise duties imposed in the UK added to Hamilton's financial burdens, and he was rapidly forced to close the magazine. The last issue was dated June 1959. The magazine was popular with writers, partly because Hamilton went to great lengths to encourage new writers, and partly because he paid better rates per word than much of his competition. Initially he could not compete with the American market, but he offered a bonus for the most popular story in the issue, and was eventually able to match the leading American magazines.As for the story itself, a criminal flees to a planet, Ganda, which he thinks is a haven, theoretically at least. When he gets there he falls foul of the law for a minor offense He finds the legal system to be logical, clever and strictly truthful. A decent enough tale, with a minor twist at the end. The lead up to the twist is better than the twist itself. Enjoyable enough.Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Authentic Science FictionAuthentic Science Fiction was a British science fiction magazine published in the 1950s that ran for 85 issues under three editors: Gordon Landsborough, H.J. Campbell, and E.C. Tubb. The magazine was published by Hamilton and Co., and began in 1951 as a series of novels appearing every two weeks; by the summer it became a monthly magazine, with readers' letters and an editorial page, though fiction content was still restricted to a single novel. In 1952 short fiction began to appear alongside the novels, and within two more years it completed the transformation into a science fiction magazine.Authentic published little in the way of important or ground-breaking fiction. The poor rates of pay—£1 per 1,000 words—prevented the magazine from attracting the best writers. During much of its life it competed against three other moderately successful British science fiction magazines, as well as the American science fiction magazine market. Hamilton folded the magazine in October 1957, because they needed cash to finance an investment in the UK rights to an American best-selling novel.As for the story itself, out dodgy hero makes a version of Febreze in a bid to make it big on Mars. Of course, things don't go to plan. After selling the formula, the owner finds it has another purpose. An amusing tale, written by the master of the short story.Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Authentic Science FictionAuthentic Science Fiction was a British science fiction magazine published in the 1950s that ran for 85 issues under three editors: Gordon Landsborough, H.J. Campbell, and E.C. Tubb. The magazine was published by Hamilton and Co., and began in 1951 as a series of novels appearing every two weeks; by the summer it became a monthly magazine, with readers' letters and an editorial page, though fiction content was still restricted to a single novel. In 1952 short fiction began to appear alongside the novels, and within two more years it completed the transformation into a science fiction magazine.As for the story itself, Tubb transports the reader to an alien planet. The Lurarian legal system was perfectly straightforward, albeit based on combat. While it was perfectly workable our protagonist, Armstrong, turned into an amateur lawyer. Then all hell breaks loose.I enjoyed this tale and it hasn't dated at all. The story highlights Tubbs inventive flair for taking an idea (legal loopholes, and exploitation of these), to its logical conclusion.Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Vision of TomorrowAustralian/UK magazine, monthly, A4-size, twelve issues, August 1969 to September 1970, published by Ronald E Graham (1908-1979), an Australian businessman and sf enthusiast; edited by Philip Harbottle from the UK. The magazine was printed on good quality coated paper stock, but to call it a Slick magazine would be stretching the definition. Nevertheless the production and presentation, carried out almost single-handedly by Harbottle, was neat and clean. The magazine's content was in stark contrast to New Worlds, which was at its most extreme at that point. Vision of Tomorrow presented more traditional sf, following in the footsteps of John Carnell's original New Worlds.As for the story itself, a telepath finds himself in prison. He volunteers for the only way out. To become a human quarry for big game hunters. A high octane, fast-paced adventure. One which could have easily been expanded into a full length book. Or maybe a series of books involving the shadowy Terran League, introduced at the end of the tale. Great stuff.Get a copy here.

[a:EC Tubb 17093421 EC Tubb https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (15 October 1919 – 10 September 2010) was a British writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. The author of over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, Tubb is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra), an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future. [a:Michael Moorcock 16939 Michael Moorcock https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1424079041p2/16939.jpg] wrote, “His reputation for fast-moving and colourful SF writing is unmatched by anyone in Britain.”Much of Tubb's work was written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He used 58 pen names over five decades of writing, although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.Nebula Science FictionNebula Science Fiction was the first Scottish science fiction magazine. It was published from 1952 to 1959, and was edited by Peter Hamilton, a young Scot who was able to take advantage of spare capacity at his parents' printing company, Crownpoint, to launch the magazine. Because Hamilton could only print Nebula when Crownpoint had no other work, the schedule was initially erratic. In 1955 he moved the printing to a Dublin-based firm, and the schedule became a little more regular, with a steady monthly run beginning in 1958 that lasted into the following year. Nebula's circulation was international, with only a quarter of the sales in the United Kingdom (UK); this led to disaster when South Africa and Australia imposed import controls on foreign periodicals at the end of the 1950s. Excise duties imposed in the UK added to Hamilton's financial burdens, and he was rapidly forced to close the magazine. The last issue was dated June 1959. The magazine was popular with writers, partly because Hamilton went to great lengths to encourage new writers, and partly because he paid better rates per word than much of his competition. Initially he could not compete with the American market, but he offered a bonus for the most popular story in the issue, and was eventually able to match the leading American magazines.As for the story itself, somewhere in the million miles of surrounding emptiness a man was calling help. Was it possible to ignore him? The practical and psychological realities of trying to rescue a man stranded in space. This tale kept me gripped until the end. Worth 15 minutes of your time, recommended.Get a copy here.