BooKS A lifeboating selection to inspire, thrill and ponder Asboville by Danny Rhodes Asboville may not sound like it has any relevance to the RnLi, however a lifeboat crew member plays a key part in this surprising novel.

sixteen-year-old JB lives on the run-down Jubilee estate, somewhere in London. He has been given an asBO (anti-social Behaviour Order) after falling in with the wrong crowd and is sent away to stay with his uncle at the seaside where he is forced to paint beach huts. But, despite his previous bad behaviour, there is a glimmer of hope for JB that he might just be able to turn his life around … this is a cleverly written and absorbing novel – a real page-turner with a main character and somewhat gritty subject matter that i didn’t think i would like, but did.

Written for both adults and young people, this would appeal to teenagers, their parents and grandparents, or anyone who has witnessed first hand the angst and frustration of this age group. and the lifeboat link? the impact on family life of a father called out ‘too often’ on a shout is described from an unusual, and understandably unsympathetic, point of view.

published by the maia Press isBn 9781904559221 Price: £8.99 paperback Break through by edward Wake-Walker Review by adam Wooler, RnLi staff Officer, Operations (Prevention and Lifeguards) this book pulls together the true history of the lifeguard’s inshore rescue boat (iRB) – and shows its significance.

many people and organisations around the world influenced its development but it is Warren mitchell, the ‘father of the iRB’, who is truly the hero of this book.

edward Wake-Walker has done a superb job in bringing alive the whole story through Warren’s eyes. anyone who has an interest in small boats would learn a great deal from this book, but its appeal is broadened by the human story of persistence: to have a ‘mad’ idea that would save lives finally recognised.

Professor Jaggard of edith Cowan university, Perth, says: ‘What i particularly like about the book is its breadth of history … British, australian, new Zealand … there’s nothing parochial about it, as the various strands of the story are woven together very skilfully. the book should also quieten those critics who believe the story can only be written by an australian author … Great piece of writing.’ published by Granta editions isBn 9781857570885 Price: £11.95 paperback 100 great wonders of the world Looking at this colourful volume makes you want to visit all the amazing places that grace its pages – from the Red Fort of India, to the Metéora Monasteries of Greece, from Machu Picchu in the Andes to the Rotorua hot springs of New Zealand. With large, bright photos, this book should carry a health warning: ‘May force you to impulsively book your next holiday!’ If you want to get away from the familiar, there’s plenty to inspire you here.

published by AA Publishing ISBN 9780749542283 Price: £20.00 hardback + postage through the RNLI gift catalogue, tel. 0870 600 1824 or online at rnlishop.org.uk Treasures of Britain A gorgeous, heavy tome portraying the architectural, cultural, historical and natural heritage of the British Isles.

It ranges from the earliest Stone Age features through to Victorian and modern architecture. In it you will ? nd Britain’s favourite man-made and natural features, towns, villages, and oddities. In a helpful alphabetical format, it is widely illustrated and would make a wonderful present.

published by AA Publishing ISBN 9780749532567 Price: £35.00 hardback + postage through the RNLI gift catalogue, tel. 0870 600 1824 or online at rnlishop.org.uk The last ? ghting Tommy: the life of Harry Patch, the only surviving veteran of the trenches by Richard Van Emden What a delight to review this book! Harry Patch, age 109, is famous for being the last British survivor of active service in the First World War. But he is now known personally to us at the RNLI: on Friday 20 July he named a D class lifeboat at a ceremony at our Headquarters in Poole. The Doris and Harry is now part of the relief ? eet and will go into service anywhere she is needed to cover for an ‘on station’ craft removed for re? t or repair.

Harry wanted to honour the memory of his dear friend Doris Whitaker, a lifelong supporter of the RNLI. Doris came into Harry’s life 5 years ago at their care home in Somerset. Sadly Doris died in March this year.

When one has lived to a great age, it is understandable to have lost family members. In Harry’s case, he has dealt with the loss of parents, siblings, two wives, two children – and all his contemporaries.

Of course, horrifying numbers of his fellow servicemen died alongside him during the ‘war to end all wars’, as documented in Richard Van Emden’s heart-warming and sensitive account.

Starting with Harry’s earliest recollection of getting into trouble by helping himself to fruit from his father’s prized trees, a remarkable eyewitness account unfolds of a life that spans the Victorian and Edwardian eras and beyond to the new Millenium.

There are graphic and extremely moving accounts of Harry’s time in the trenches – a subject he found too painful to talk about until his centenary. But we also hear of Harry’s working life as a plumber and his time with the Auxiliary Fire Service during the Second World War.

Harry’s personality absolutely shines through the pages of this book. The format has been cleverly thought out, with extensive passages in Harry’s own words interspersed with research ? ndings from the author. There are also maps of the battle? elds and some poignant photographs.

This is the tale of an ordinary man, called to do extraordinary things and trying, and succeeding, to survive against the odds.

Published by Bloomsbury ISBN: 9780747591153 Price: £16.99 hardback All reviews by Carol Waterkeyn unless otherwise noted.

All books are available from all good bookshops, or via rnli.org.uk/amazon (Amazon will make a donation to the RNLI for each one sold by this route), or from the RNLI gift catalogue or rnlishop.org.uk where noted.

Offshore members will ? nd reviews of: Sailing for dummies 2nd edition by Peter and JJ Isler, A passion for design by German Frers, and more in their accompanying issue of Offshore. .