So... my Dad wrote a book

[Kath]

When the crisis arose ... Glamorgan was one of the first group of ships to be deployed south on 2 April. With mixed feelings of elation and fear, I checked Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft to assess the opposition. They had 400 military aircraft, 200 of which were front line aircraft. I thought, 'If all six of us have a good day and shoot down ten apiece, that only leaves another 140 to attack us!’

These were my father's thoughts at the start of the Falklands War, back in 1982. He was the navigating officer for HMS Glamorgan, the first ship to ever survive a direct hit by one of the feared Exocet missiles. Fourteen of the ship's company would not be so fortunate.

Ordeal by Exocet is Glamorgan's story.



In the opening paragraph of the book's introduction, my Dad gives a factual account of the moment of the hit:
At 0636 on 12 June 1982, the faintest of ‘blips’ appeared on Glamorgan’s bridge radar display. A little over 30 seconds later, an Exocet missile clipped the side of the upper deck, exploded and blasted holes down through two decks. The missile body penetrated the hangar door and hit the fully fuelled and armed Wessex helicopter inside. A second later the helicopter blew up and a massive explosion, with accompanying fireball, erupted from the hangar. No ship had ever survived a hit by Exocet and those watching from nearby believed that Glamorgan had blown up and gone the way of Hood. Our bows then emerged from the smoke, ‘going like a bat out of hell’, and the battle to save the ship began.

This doesn't do justice to the full story, by any stretch of the imagination. The terror of the moment, the ingenuity and professionalism of the ship's company, the sheer guts and heroics that eventually saved the ship, and the ultimate price paid by the unlucky cannot ever be covered in the depth they deserve. And in spite of the ever present threat of the enemy and the determination to win back the right of self-determination for the Islanders, there's no animosity, only the shared recognition of duty in the face of adversity, in the midst of the cold and inhospitable South Atlantic ocean.

Based on my father's own diaries and those of other crew members, the book gives a full picture of Glamorgan's role in the Falklands War and her battle for survival against the odds. More than that, it offers insight into the very human story of the ongoing price of war: for those who fight on both sides, during and after the conflict, and also for the families at home. The book is a very compelling read, and the lighter moments amongst the fear and darkness only add to the tragedy of the lives lost all around.

Please take a look. Please buy a copy. The royalties go to good causes. Signed copies are also available - ask me and I can arrange it easily. [This is the re-issue of the 2002 edition.]

[AnnMarie]

I think my hubs might want this one....

[Cheryl]

Mine too, AnnMarie!

I don't see any sign of an ebook version, is that correct Kath?

[Kath]

Not as far as I know, says she with the pdf proof at home... (it's full of typos from the new typesetting - all three of us went over it, as well as the copyeditor). I'll ask Dad what he knows about electronic rights, but the original sale/contract was back in about 2000. He's happy to post signed paper copies abroad, mind.

[Cheryl]

It's okay if there's no e-version, just figured it was worth asking! Since there's not, then a signed copy seems the way to go. Shall we take it to PM to figure out the details?

[StevenB]

Thanks for posting this, Kath. My brother would definitely be interested in this book.
Does your father get as much in royalties from a signed copy? I'm happy to buy a copy in a way that maximises the royalities for the good causes.

[Kath]

I don't know the exact numbers - I know he gets his own stock at a discount from the publisher, but can't sell them on as cheaply as Amazon can (because Amazon don't make any of their profits in books...). I think the royalties come in separately on top, and he sells his own stock at cost (£10+p&p). I've sent you a PM with contact details.