[benjidog]

https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon....V42753713_.gif No Place for a Boy - A Life at Harland & Wolff
Tom McCluskie. Tempus Books, ISBN: 978 0752 4216 3

This is a new departure for Mr McCluskie (a notorious member of this site) whose previous books have been concerned with the construction of the Titanic and other famous Harland and Wolff ships over its long history.

This book is autobiographical and describes the author's life while he was working for the company. He brings to life the tough world of shipbuilding, the people that worked in the industry and the black humour that acted as a safety valve. Many of the stories of life "as it really was" are hilarious and reflect the resilience of the workers.

The title of the book comes from a remark made to Mr McCluskie's father when he brought his son along to join the company. From the descriptions of life in the company it was indeed "No place for a boy".

The author is in a unique position to tell the story of life in the latter days of H&W having worked his way up through the company from Messenger to become part of the management team. Latterly he assumed responsibility for the immense H&W archive. We owe him a lot - it is mainly due to his efforts that the H&W archive was saved for the nation in the face of corporate indifference bordering on hostility. He was quite rightly awarded an MBE for his services.

The latter part of the book provides an account of the sad decline of H&W as a casualty of the dying UK shipbuilding industry. The author describes the activities of a succession of managers and owners whose efforts seem to have ranged from incompetence, through indifference to asset stripping.

If you visit Belfast today, virtually nothing remains of the vast Harland and Wolff site apart from two giant cranes, a dry dock that is about to be built over, and the old drawing office building where the great H&W ships were designed - and this is being converted into a hotel.

Mr McCluskie has chronicled the disgraceful and pathetic end to a once great institution. The site has been razed without any attempt by the Company or the government to provide the people of Northern Ireland with a legacy of their past.

Such a waste!

This book is an entertaining and informative read for anyone interested in the the decline of the shipping industry and H&W in particular.

Regards,

Brian

[gdynia]

Oul Hand deserves a second MBE for writing it. Cannot stop laughing

[aleddy]

I,ll be asking at Angus & Robertson's Book World in BrisVegas if it is planned to be published in the colonies, otherwise I shall be asking my brother in England to send me an early Christmas present
cheers
Ted

[non descript]

Thanks Brian for bringing this to our attention, I'll be off to get a copy.

[Chief Engineer's Daughter]

An excellent read. Have done absoultley nothing all morning because I have been engrossed in this book.

Well done Tom.

[Gulpers]

What a gem of a book!

Written with all the sensitivity and humour you would expect of the Author.

Very well done Tom!

Go and get your hands on a copy folks.

[K urgess]

Already ordered one.
Now I shall have to wait impatiently until it arrives.

[aleddy]

If Marconi Sahib couln't step out and pick up a copy at the local book shop then I would have a snowballs hope in hell of getting a copy in Oz, just so happens that this day of Lusitania sinking is also the birthday of my brother in England so he can send me a copy for his birthday
Cheers
Ted

[Tom S]

Aleddy
If you try No Place for a Boy - Tom McCluskie - £15.99 - SHOP.COM UK they post it anywhere in the world
TomS

[aleddy]

Thanks TomS, I'll try that.
I have used Amazon in the past, am a bit surprised and a little concerned that I had forgotten that avenue
Cheers
Ted

[K urgess]

Got it!
Arrived this morning.
Being a sparkie means I can read and keep watch at the same time so I won't be signing off articles and going on reading leave.

[aleddy]

Unheard of in Oz, not surprising.
Will receive a copy via airmail 6 to 8 weeks, must be the Orvil and Wilbur Airline
Ted

[K urgess]

Read it, finished it.
Only one complaint, too b.... good, Couldn't put it down.
Sunday disappeared and now I have to find something else to match it.
Great stuff.
Kris

[Coastie]

I had tears rolling down my cheeks when I read about poor unfortunate Archie!! Don't we all know someone like that?!!

[Tmac1720]

Gentlemen (& Lady)

I am flattered and humbled by your kind remarks, your cheques are in the post I'm only too delighted you enjoyed it

[gdynia]

Tom
You will have to do a follow up

[Coastie]

Hear, hear, Gdynia.

[aleddy]

Hey Tmac oul hand,
By any chance do you know of the difficulties with supply of your book "No place for a boy" with the usually reliable Amazon group.
I have just received an update on filling my order with them, it states " Mid August " and "Maybe not at all " The latter disturbs me.
Cheers
Ted

[Duncan112]

Ted,

You have me worried now - I ordered it from Amazon - the other book has arrived but not that one - this has happened to me with Amazon before - books just dropping off the order without any advice from Amazon.

Thanks for the update

[Tmac1720]

Ted & Duncan, You have me worried as well whenever I read your comments. I'm sorry but I'm not aware of any problem with Amazon.co.uk regarding supply. I have been informed by the publisher that it is proving very popular and is soon to be reprinted. I've asked them to look into the Amazon situation and as soon as I know anything more I'll let you know. My apologies for your inconvenience.

[non descript]

Thanks for the update Tom, and it sounds good news all in all, but I hope you get Amazon to sort it out and be more on the ball. Good luck to you Sir.

[duquesa]

Just been into my local Waterstones. They do not have it listed under the ISBN number given at the top of this thread. They could order it in at £17.99. So, will go and have a look at what TomS suggested above - shop.com.

[Gulpers]

Originally Posted by duquesa

Just been into my local Waterstones. They do not have it listed under the ISBN number given at the top of this thread. They could order it in at £17.99. So, will go and have a look at what TomS suggested above - shop.com.

duquesa,

Ah there's the problem!

I have my copy in front of me and the ISBN is;

978-0-7524-4216-7

Tempus Publishing Ltd
The Mill,
Brimscombe Port
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 2QG
UK


Keep chasing it down, it's an excellent read - in fact, now that it's in front of me again, I think I'll retire to the garden and start to re-read it!

[duquesa]

Thanks and yes, that is the correct ISBN given to me by the shop. Amazon are quite amazingly giving 4-6 weeks delivery. Why I have no idea but I'll get one sooner or later.

[Tom S]

Try this link The Book Depository they will despatch it within 24hrs
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBS...?id=0752442163
TomS