Published: Feb. 09, 2013
Words: 49,336 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781301450053

Short description

This story is seen through the eyes of a Liverpool lad born in 1945. It reminisces through his journey of life from early childhood days, Into the Merchant Navy and onto an adventurous roller coaster ride, highs and lows and relationships along the way. A collection of incidents from ports worldwide, including jumping ship in New Zealand. The journey home provides an unexpected twist in the tale.

Extended description

This story is related through the eyes of a Liverpool lad born in 1945 to mixed parentage. It reminisces through his journey of life from early childhood days through the innocence of youth, into adulthood. Thrust from the comforts of a happy family home into the Merchant Navy and onto an adventurous roller coaster ride, encompassing highs and lows and the inevitable relationships along the way. It takes the reader to far flung exotic ports, in South America, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Pacific Islands and to the distant shores of New Zealand, stirring memories with a cocktail of emotions, fun filled, happy, exciting, sometimes difficult and very often painful.

I was tired bruised and dirty; Blood was running down my chin, the taste of fresh blood filled my mouth and I was half sitting half lying on the floor.
Seconds before, after being questioned about who I was I had answered truthfully that I was, only in overnight and the suit I was wearing was mine. Next.. (Read more) This story is related through the eyes of a Liverpool lad born in 1945 to mixed parentage. It reminisces through his journey of life from early childhood days through the innocence of youth, into adulthood. Thrust from the comforts of a happy family home into the Merchant Navy and onto an adventurous roller coaster ride, encompassing highs and lows and the inevitable relationships along the way. It takes the reader to far flung exotic ports, in South America, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Pacific Islands and to the distant shores of New Zealand, stirring memories with a cocktail of emotions, fun filled, happy, exciting, sometimes difficult and very often painful.

I was tired bruised and dirty; Blood was running down my chin, the taste of fresh blood filled my mouth and I was half sitting half lying on the floor.
Seconds before, after being questioned about who I was I had answered truthfully that I was, only in overnight and the suit I was wearing was mine. Next a shout of "LIAR!", followed quickly by a blow to the mouth, knocking me cleanly off the chair. The unexpected fall to the floor didn't give me time to react. A sickening crunch was felt to the back of my head as it hit the wooden panelling on the wall, the effect of which seemed to reverberate through my whole body. Dazed and shocked I looked up at the large overweight, ginger haired official standing over me, fists clenched and his face getting redder by the second. He then again accused me of pinching a warder's suit to try to escape.
I prepared to defend myself from the next onslaught. How had I got into this mess.. It seems so long ago now.
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Tags

romance, adventure, smuggling, travel, prison, bullies, family, violence, growing up, south america, biography, ghost, navy, emotion, brazil, australia, new zealand, liverpool, jail, south africa, mugging, asia, apartheid, auckland, docks, kinkajou, merchant navy, apparition, mersey, jumping ship, liverpool nostalgia 1950s 1960s, beatles nostalgia, navy nostalgia, tramp ship, grass monkey, liver buildings, speke, wavertree

Available ebook reading formats

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Reviews

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Review by: Colin Adams on May 01, 2013 :
A very honest account of what it was like being brought up in Liverpool in the '60's. Bob's account of living conditions and the Scouse community brings back very fond memories for me. And his account of life at sea is humorous, emotionally charged, and written in such a down-to-earth way that you can almost hear his scouse accent reading his story to you! This I hope is only Part 1 of his story, as there's a lot more to tell beyond his '20's where this book ends, and the rest of his life is just beginning. Come on Bob - tell us the rest of the story please!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Danny Duffy on April 20, 2013 :
What a fantastic, well written, true account of a young man from Liverpool who travelled the world and was definitely educated in the university of life! The events are remembered in detail and the descriptive writing drags you in, delivering atmosphere to make you feel you are really there with him! I eagerly look forward to his next book. Worth every one of the five stars I've awarded! Well done!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Mark Quilliam on April 16, 2013 :
I've just finished this great book and genuinely couldn't put it down!! A collection of stories and tales of a young Liverpool lad growing up on the high seas. Should be a best seller and comes highly recommended.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Chris Lewis on April 16, 2013 :
Part recollection, part travelogue, Robert Ng's first book is a wonderful tale of life on the high seas. Ng expertly weaves together his wealth of experiences in the merchant navy drawing on stories of lost connections and fist fights, scrapes and setbacks, with humour and alacrity. This a book that plots the course from callow Liverpool lad to manhood, speading tales of his beloved city and The Beatles as he wends his way around the globe. Marvellous.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Mair Ning on April 03, 2013 :
I enjoyed this read. The author has managed to provide a vivid, articulate and sensitive narrative of the trials and tribulations of his formative years and life at sea.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Sandi West on March 22, 2013 :
What an excellent read! I was enthralled from the minute I started reading. A fresh and sometimes humorous account a young, quite naive seaman in the 60's. I felt I knew him well when I finished reading and was quite bereft when I turned to the last page. I hope Robert writes some more.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Rodolfo Garcia on March 21, 2013 :
Great read. What an interesting life!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: steven hayes on March 05, 2013 :
Enjoyed the book immensely from cover to cover. Best $5 I have ever spent! The stories of old Liverpool remind me of my earliest days and transport me back in time to when I was just a little boy. This incredible book creates vivid pictures of the true past and hidden history from an every day lads perspective.... Many reviewers ask for one word to describe a book, and for this, addictive.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Barbara Brown on Feb. 25, 2013 :
I highly recommend this book! it's been years since I picked up a book and found I couldn't put it down! Its such a well written book, and would make a fantastic movie, a true life story of a young Liverpool lad that goes to sea, and really has to grow up quickly just to survive! The book has it all, its sad, its funny, its exciting, and most of all gripping, all this plus it brings memories back of when we were all young and growing up! Superb book can't wait for Robert Ng's next book. This is surely going to soon be a bestseller!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: glenda garton on Feb. 17, 2013 :
Just read this book,found it very entertaining,the tin bath certainly brought back memories.A nostalgic look at how the world used to be,detailing a young man's trials and tribulations on the road to manhood.This story would make a great mini series,a cross between Rich Man Poor Man and the Likely Lads.I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to curl up with a good book.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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