Bøker av Jack D Harrison

'Whistles of War and Peace'.©After watching the Railway Steamers from atop 'The Mount', the two boys decide to run away from their homes in the deep-sea fishing Port of Fleetwood. a very special place, where not only the men and their trawler fleet go off to War Service, but during that hot Summer of 1914, two young boys also answer Kitchener's call- "Your Country Needs You". Just as 250,000 other boys did during the war to end all wars. Then during 1918, after many hair-raising and heart-warming experiences, the best friends have to fight for their lives, as the last German Offensive begins and all Hell breaks loose. Suddenly, a German Shell explodes over them and apparently kills their whole Platoon. Each believing the other has been killed - vaporised.When one of the best friends finally returns home, he discovers that the other has also miraculously survived and returned just before he did; though terribly wounded, inside and out. As they move into 1919 and beyond, the two friends, no longer boys, have to try to pick up the pieces of their lives; now utterly changed. But will they ever return to The Mount?The story also reminds us, that for many people, wars do not end with an Armistice. Whichever the conflict, many have physical or psychological reminders, which never leave them, or their families; often driving them to insanity or suicide.

Lines of Remembrance was published especially for 2018. It is perhaps the most significant year to us ever, and rightly so, because it marks the end of five years of centenary events based around the Great War. Siegfried Sassoon's poem "Aftermath" (published during the 1920s), asks "Have you forgotten yet?" This book helps answer that question (at least from the author's perspective). It is hoped that we will never forget the sacrifices and hardships of everyone involved during the years 1914-18 and for those left behind at home. Lines of Remembrance partly serves as a second volume to Jack's first book (of verse) and is also well suited to fit the sombre and, for many, the bleak season of autumn, with thoughts of the end of long summer days, and the cold, dark winter nights ahead. What better book, then, to curl up with during those long, dark nights? Engendering thoughts of those lost before their time, during 1914-18 and for all wars and conflicts. Thoughts also of ghosts and memories of those no longer alive but still with us, in spirit. But there are some reminders of happy times, of summer and, for some, better times. Let us also remember that for many people today, the approach of autumn and winter brings feelings of dread and (often) loneliness. It is not a collection of ghost stories, though they're included, to help remember the dead (friends, loved ones, and others). Nor is it a book about the Great War, though the author hopes we will never forget, keeping faith with them, to ensure they rest. Lines of Remembrance is meant as the author's intention to never forget and to keep that faith. Only you, the reader, can determine whether that intention succeeds. With complements,Jack D. HarrisonPoet/author

This is Jacks second book and turns from Verse to Prose for an autobiographical work. Memoirs of a Signalman covers his years as a Signalman with British Railways on the Fylde Coast of England between 1978-88. It is not just a cold technical book about Railway Signalling, but also includes some very funny tales of very unusual events and incidents. But despite the fact that his home town of 60 years once had the largest deep-sea fishing fleet on the West Coast, there are no Big Fish Stories. It is all true and really happened. It actually covers Jacks life from leaving School during 1974, right up until recently, when the very last Signal Box [Poulton No 3], was demolished, to make way for the Electrification of the Blackpool line. However Jack was involved in the original calls for this overdue modernisation, and he knew it was important for the Routes long-term future. Besides some basic background on traditional Railway Signalling, and life on the Railway, it covers the decline of Fleetwood and its once great Maritime and Railway heritage. It is hoped that an Audio version of the book will also be produced later this year.