Rukia Publishing Book Showcase
Robert Fear
Follow Robert on Twitter @fredsdiary1981
Was That Me?: Behind The Diary Entries ~A unique look into the book 'Fred's Diary 1981'~ When a travel diary becomes a memoir there are always details from behind the scenes which are edited out or not fully expanded upon. In this special edition ebook author Robert Fear reveals some untold facts and stories that occurred during the period covered in his travel diary as he takes you behind the scenes of his travel memoir, Fred's Diary 1981. As he delves deeper, behind the diary entries, readers are given an honest insight into his Asian adventure, including his Thai prison experience, as he takes you to visit Nepal, journey through Kathmandu, bask in the glory of Annapurna. See the Taj Mahal, The Red Fort: Explore and share the Asian culture as Robert's personal notes, written as an adjunct to his diary, takes you on an exhilarating journey like no other. NEW RELEASE 31st July 2016 Available Online at: Amazon / Apple / 24 Symbols / B&N / KOBO / Tolino / Scribd |
Exclusive Pedigree: My life in and out of the Brethren John Fear was born into a religious sect known as the Exclusive Brethren. This sheltered him from the outside world as he grew up, but could not hide him from its influences. A struggle began in his mind that led him to leave the Brethren, along with his young family. This is a story that was always meant to be told. During his later life John Fear had prepared a lot of the book, along with notes for chapters that he knew would not be completed. It is only now, over twenty years later, that the book is finally being published. It contains original content written by John, along with diary notes, letters and magazine articles. The final chapters are written by his second eldest son, Alastair. The memoir is introduced and edited by his eldest son, Robert, as a tribute to his father’s amazing life. Order Exclusive Pedigree: books2read.com/ExclusivePedigree99 Recommendation: “Great intro, so much is said in just a few words. The author has put lots of feeling into it too. A quality presentation. Excellent cover, excellent photos, chapter titles and accuracy. Lovely evocative writing. Well, thank heaven that Robert Fear decided to publish his father's gem of a book! This is not to be missed - I simply couldn't put it down! John Fear certainly had an entertaining command of the English language and tells a wonderful tale of his life. There is great variety from cosy family memories to horrific scenes in a coup. A variety of techniques are used to portray this memoir - diary entries, a telegram, and letters. I like the travel aspect to this memoir too - I wasn't expecting it. A fantastic book. A wonderful and powerful tribute." Julie Haigh - Top 1000 Reviewer |
New Expanded Distribution Channels added!Take this unique opportunity to absorb yourself in Fred's daily memoirs, which detail the 158 days he spent travelling around Asia.
Travels in Asia - a dream fulfilled? Have you ever dreamed of travelling around Asia? Then this could be the book for you.
Recommendations: 5* I love travel writing... from start to finish I was hooked. - G Hughes 5* I'm really glad I read this book as I had no idea what Asia was like back then. – C. Fenwick 4* You get an honest day-to-day account of a subgroup (that still certainly exists) which adds up to provide an insight to a different world that most of us will not experience. – Nick Smith & Jen Taylor Had the pleasure and privilege of reading the original diary some 20 years ago, Would definitely recommend it.... - Nic Booth Read The Reviews~ Scroll down Fred's Diary 1981 has been voted a Semi-Finalist in The Kindle Book Awards!
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Wonderful collection of travel stories and highlights
30 travel stories from 20 authors/writers + 15 memorable travel highlights Travel around the world with this fascinating compilation 30 stories take you on journeys through Tasmania, Kenya, South Africa, USA, Egypt, Europe, Nepal, Thailand, Chile, Brasil, Sumatra, India, Australia, Siberia and Borneo. 25 highlights engage you in amazing experiences from across the globe. Travel through time, sail across oceans, fly through the skies and navigate land by public transport, car and foot. This is an absorbing book that will live on in your memory. Contributing authors and writers Judy Testard Bauer - Maretha Botha - Cinda Brooks -Sarah Jane Butfield - Lucinda E. Clarke - Judian TJ Cooney - Matthew Dexter - Jill Dobbe - Jacky Donovan - Anne Durrant - Robert Fear - John Findley - Jean Gill - Julie Haigh - Beth Haslam - Graham Higson - Doug E. Jones - Susan Joyce - Richard Klein - Frank Kusy - Shirley Ledlie - Fran MacIlvey - Nancy McBride - Patrick J. McNeill - Renee Moon - Gareth Nixon - Jeremy Parris - Jackie Parry - Ann Patras - John Rayburn - Kelly Reising - Charlotte Smith - Francene Stanley - Val Vassay. Read The Reviews~Scroll Down
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You can find out more about Robert and his books by visiting his Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/fredsdiary1981
Meet The Author at Rukia Publishing
Robert Fear With The English Informer
Book Reviews
Fred's Diary 1981
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and detailed.
By Rebecca H on February 4, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I really enjoyed this travel diary which Fred kept as he journeyed firstly to Hong Kong then on to Thailand where he regrettably ended up in jail. After being deported he records his time in both India and Nepal. If you are looking for a travel guide this is not the book for you but it does give an insight into the reality of how it was for young western travellers over 30 years ago. Every day Fred would jot down all the details of what he did and saw or even ate. It was so interesting to see how he kept a note of exactly how much he spent on drinks and food etc I bet it’s a whole lot more expensive now! In Thailand he was charged with possessing grass and thrown into jail. This was a particularly difficult experience but even there drugs helped to while away the tedium and anxious waiting for release. In fact drugs feature prominently throughout. It’s amazing what a young body can withstand! We learn of his exploits in Nepal and in India and of the friendships and camaraderie among fellow travellers. In among the minutiae there are also some beautiful descriptions for example of leaving Kathmandu Overall he had a marvellous and life changing experience which he has written about very honestly.
4.0 out of 5 stars I love books like this but was really showing my age ...
By Marianne S. Bonatakis on January 12, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Here is a book of diary entries written by a young backpacker touring Asia. I love books like this but was really showing my age when I was surprised by the use of recreational drugs. The kid got caught with a small amount of drugs and is shocked when he got caught up in that country's penal system. This isn't a review of a kid who needs a big reality check so I will not focus on that. All in all, the book kept my interest.
I was able to read this book and leave my review in exchange for this interesting book.
4.0 out of 5 stars A young man's voyage of self-discovery
By Swizzlestick on January 8, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
An interesting look back at the tail end of the hippy trail of the 1980s, when Fred abandons his job with a bank and goes off backpacking round Asia from Hong Kong through Thailand to India and Nepal.
Recording his daily life meticulously, Fred's diary gives the reader an intimate account of his journey, which is about self-discovery as much as discovery of the countries he visits. The reader shares his meals (as a lover of Asian cuisine my mouth watered more than once), his lodgings, his fellow travellers and his casual use of dope, which lands him in jail.
What I most appreciated in this book is his openness and honesty in revealing his inner thoughts and feelings about himself, about his hopes for the future, and his angst regarding his complicated relationship with his on/off girlfriend who joins him towards the end of his journey.
An entertaining read.
5.0 out of 5 stars This book will make you feel like you are actually traveling with Mr
By Amazon Customer on January 8, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
This book will make you feel like you are actually traveling with Mr. Fear. It's such a great, true diary experience that will give you the bug to travel yourself. I loved reading this book because it takes you out of your everyday life into places you might not normally get to go. His easy to read passages are the perfect education if you are planning on taking a backpacking trip yourself overseas. Some of his mistakes are hilarious, while others are truly scary. SPOILER ALERT: Foreign jails! I highly recommend this exciting book for anybody with serious wanderlust.
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating Journey!
By Susan Joyce DuBosque on January 6, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
This review is from: Fred's Diary 1981: Travels in Asia (Kindle Edition)
Fred's Diary 1981 is based on Fred's actual hand-written diary as he travels to Hong Kong, Thailand, India and Nepal. Jotting daily notes, he records the mundane and the marvelous!
In Hong Kong, he finds work as an extra in a TV production, then picks up his backpack and moves on to Thailand. Being stoned is a big part of Fred's travel adventures and being in possession of drugs gets him thrown into a Thai jail. Seemingly hell, I felt anxious while reading this chapter. But Fred handles it well, thanks to smoking more grass. Oh the folly of youth! Luck is on his side, and he gets deported to Nepal where he explores waterfalls, treks snow-capped mountains, and visits Buddhist temples. Then on to near-death bus rides, a wedding in Kashmir, and beyond—Fred discovers what works and what doesn't in his journey.
As a world traveler, I enjoyed Fred's reflections of the different cultures, the new foods he enjoyed, and the special friendships he formed with fellow travelers as he backpacked through Asia in the early 1980’s.
5.0 out of 5 stars A sense of honesty shines through
By Shontae on December 29, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I really enjoyed this book. I have never visited Asia so I was keen to experience it through this diarised account of a young man's travels in the 1980's. A sense of honesty comes through, which is a strong influence in this format of writing as it is an open and detailed account of the people, the places and personal adventures he experienced. I applaud the author for including some of what we might call 'ordinary' aspects of travel and day to day living as it reinforces that this is true and not fictionalised. Highly recommended for travel writing fans.
5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable and very detailed diary.
By Julie Haigh on October 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I was lucky enough to win a signed paperback copy of this book in a competition. I also have the kindle editions of both the new edition and the older edition, and, at various times, I did read parts of all of them to compare-eg: when I was at a hospital appointment, rather than taking my precious signed copy, I read on the original kindle version-I later got the brand new kindle version and continued reading from the two new editions. I like diary format-this is kept very simple, it feels as if it would be very authentic to the original diary. Some of it is almost just notes then some sentences are fuller. I like how it is as it was then-it's not been written years later and things tried to remember-this is the actual diary he kept at the time. It's now all in one volume and I still re-read and enjoyed the first two sections I'd read previously in his two shorter books (£99 to Hong Kong and Time in Thailand). We’re soon exploring India. This is the kind of writing I love to read; informative, describing the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the area. We have climate details, these happen throughout his trip and I found it welcome information. It’s very interesting finding out all the places he plans to visit: Agra, Nepal, Sri Lanka. Also very interesting is reading about the night bazaar with all the stalls selling their wares and the food stalls too where the food is cooked on-site. This is a very detailed diary-there really is everything in here-both of local interest etc, the foods he had, how much it cost and right down to the times he woke up and went to bed! A very open, honest and revealing diary which appeals very nicely to my nosey nature. I love reading of other people's travels to far flung destinations. It means I get the feel of going there without all the inconveniences. There are great examples and descriptions of his seeing the sights to be seen-the first bit of the diary doesn't have this because of his unexpected detour to prison! Contained in this book are the author’s adventures, the people he meets: other travellers and locals, the foods he eats, the sights he sees. It's all a very interesting log of a memorable trip of a few months from many years ago. Apple crumble?-I was somehow amused to hear that they do this pudding here! It seemed so out of place and unexpected! Eg: fried rice, daal, vegetable curry......Apple crumble!!!!! Of course, this is in the days before email and he keeps checking if he has any post-only to find there is frequently none. There are news events from the time included-e.g., mention of The Ripper sentenced to life imprisonment. I like how he tells of the books he is reading at various times throughout his trip. One of particular interest, I wondered if this book was still available? It was amazing to think that here was a type of travel book which was interesting ‘Fred’ back then-and he was to end up writing such a book himself. I found this book is still available so this introduced me to yet another book! This is the kind of thing I do-I don’t just read quickly through something-for those few days or week etc. when I’m reading a book such as this, I live it!-I enjoy looking things up and finding out more about the places mentioned etc. I love lots of detail and I get so much out of it. I realise that, for some people, the detail may be a bit exhaustive and indeed, this new edition has quite a few pages less than the original one-but, it’s just my sort of thing. I loved the intrigue about whether Rita would reply, what was going on? Was it on or off with her? Fred certainly keeps us guessing with the Rita aspect! So he mentions he did take plenty of pictures-I would have liked some in here. Oh my goodness! But oh my how interesting where they see the bodies burning and about what they do with the ones not cremated. And another thing-he's brought out this new edition-and this year 2015-has exactly the same days and dates as 1981. I do like how things tie in like this-what a great idea to bring out a new edition in a year which mirrors the original. It's great, it's just written in normal, everyday language-a genuine, authentic, REAL diary. Just read it like that, it's not meant to be an action novel! Just real, true, raw. And I like that. Oh my goodness, SO interesting-the bit about the Hanging Gardens. I was reading this book whilst waiting for a hospital appointment and was so engrossed in it that I jumped out of my skin when the doctor called my name out! This is a record of an experience, a moment in Fred's history, it tells it like it was. It doesn't need any dressing up. I really enjoyed it. The diary has engrossing moments and more 'normal' moments too-this is real life. This is an edited and updated edition and I noticed on comparing my different editions that some bits are missed out-I loved all the details but I accept he may have been recommended to take some excess out. There’s still plenty of detail and info in here-a great record of Fred's trip, very enjoyable.
Book Reviews
Travel Stories & Highlights
4.0 out of 5 stars A WIDE VARIETY
By Books R Best on February 28, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I was unsure whether I could / should review this book as I contributed a couple of stories, but then I reasoned that there were so many more to read it deserved a review. The subjects ranged from one side of the world to the other and gave a wide flavour of different genres and experiences. There were a couple I did not enjoy, I felt they did not fit in too well with the rest of the book thus the reason for only 4 stars.
By Books R Best on February 28, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I was unsure whether I could / should review this book as I contributed a couple of stories, but then I reasoned that there were so many more to read it deserved a review. The subjects ranged from one side of the world to the other and gave a wide flavour of different genres and experiences. There were a couple I did not enjoy, I felt they did not fit in too well with the rest of the book thus the reason for only 4 stars.
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and varied selection of travel tales
By Kaydee on January 27, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Amazingly varied selection of travel highlights covering numerous countries, different aspects of travel and very varied writing styles. A great opportunity to delve into the lives of a number of published authors and enjoy their journeys. Definitely made me want to read more of their work too. It was a terrific book to be able to dip in and out of when I didn't have large chunks of time available to be able to read a book from cover to cover.
By Kaydee on January 27, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Amazingly varied selection of travel highlights covering numerous countries, different aspects of travel and very varied writing styles. A great opportunity to delve into the lives of a number of published authors and enjoy their journeys. Definitely made me want to read more of their work too. It was a terrific book to be able to dip in and out of when I didn't have large chunks of time available to be able to read a book from cover to cover.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab compilation of travel shorts!
By To be Frank... on April 20, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
A very interesting and enjoyable collection of 'shorts', some of them very short but none the less impactful for that (I particularly enjoyed Graham Higson's and Jacky Donovan's offerings), some of them rather longer and really catching the flavours of countries like India (Gareth Nixon) and Thailand (Doug Jones). There really should be more books like this, go on Mr Fear, knock out another one!
By To be Frank... on April 20, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
A very interesting and enjoyable collection of 'shorts', some of them very short but none the less impactful for that (I particularly enjoyed Graham Higson's and Jacky Donovan's offerings), some of them rather longer and really catching the flavours of countries like India (Gareth Nixon) and Thailand (Doug Jones). There really should be more books like this, go on Mr Fear, knock out another one!
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing collection!
By Shontae on December 29, 2015
What an amazing collection of very individual travel stories from around the world. I really enjoyed reading about places I would still like to visit and also reading another person's experience of a place I have already visited. Something for everyone in this great compilation which makes easy reading and is very entertaining.
By Shontae on December 29, 2015
What an amazing collection of very individual travel stories from around the world. I really enjoyed reading about places I would still like to visit and also reading another person's experience of a place I have already visited. Something for everyone in this great compilation which makes easy reading and is very entertaining.