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Nulli Secundus - Second to None

by Terence Cardwell

473 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #05-2565; ISBN 1-4120-7670-6; US$29.95, C$32.95, EUR22.34, £14.81

Jack fights his way out of Yorkshire only to find new heartaches, horror and agony. He fights desperately for his country and even more desperatley to hold on to the only love he has ever known.

About the Book

In the four foot coal seams of a Deepcar mine Joseph fought to survive, trapped in a world of poverty, constant danger, heartbreak and death. His only chance of escape was by bare knuckle boxing, taking on all comers to become the heavyweight champion of Sheffield.

His sons followed him into the mine, as poverty bred poverty and though they idolised their father and his boxing achievments they dreamed of the day when they could live and work above ground. Jack, his eldest son, was determined not to be trapped in the black hell hole of the mines like his father and finally, escapes to join the elite force of the British army, the Coldstream Guards, where he carries his father's boxing skills to the ultimate heights and then experiences a love and passion he didn't know could exist, changing his life forever.

His love is left behind as his Division, living up to it's motto 'Nulli Secundus-Second to None' leads the vanguard of the British Expeditionary Force to France to fight in the "War to end all Wars". Jack is thrust into battles in conditions that were horrifying and terrible. Far beyond any he had to face in the mines of Yorkshire and facing unbelievable horrors. Trying to survive in an insane world of terror, slaughter and constant death.

Annie was born in the poor house to a mother who cared little for her fat. Raised in poverty, neglected and cast aside by her mother.and left in the care of an aged grandfather, living in a houseboat on a midlands canal. At a young age she had to learn to struggle with poverty, caring for her grandfather and younger brothers. Torn from her grandfather at a young age, the only person who had ever loved her, and raised in a Dr. Barnardos home where death came to seek her. Fighting to survive and finally finding a love that could cost her her life.

Two people whom destiny will eventually bring together their lives were set on a collision course that was filled with loneliness, misery, pain and heartache, tempered by passion and love. Based on real people who laid the foundation for a new generation.

Reviews

The book is full of glimpses into the past which allow the reader to feel what it must have been like to have suffered the privations of working class England. The story is full of emotional cameos, from the bleakness of Joseph's early morning ritual, the horror of Jacks war, the tragedy of Annie's move to Dr. Barnardo's and the loves that filled jacks life. Terry Cardwell has brought it to life and woven them into a story of a time when just living the day was all that could be hoped for. It is one which I believe can be as big as Angela's Ashes.

Gordon Kerkham
Creative Writing

I was captivated right from the very first few words, very intrigued as to what next was going to happen, and I eagerly and enthusiastically read the book cover to cover. There are not too many books that cause me to complete the reading of them, but I found 'Nulli Secundus- Second to None' most exciting and uplifting to say the least, Others I know have read this book and they would heartily agree with my sentiments.

George Barton
Literary Critic.

The author has put a tremendous amount of research into this wonderful book. From the first pages he has created a world you can feel, touch and belong too. The poor, the needy, the love, hope, strength and frailty of the people in this story comes from the heart. A well written and thoroughly enchanting look at one man's passion, his ancestry. This book is, in the words of the author, SECOND TO NONE.

Rosslyn Davies

I read "Second to None" with an open mind and soon became engrossed in the lives in the story of very humble beginnings and one set back after another. The main character strove to better his life and follow a dream, from his early life, through the first world war and the tragedies through them all he came out of it all on top. This story made me cry many times before I finished it and I had to keep going back to it as I was very captivated by the whole story. excellent reading

Norma Maltby Independent critic

About the Author

Born in Nottingham Hospital, England on 21st March 1941 during a bombing raid which helped speed things up. My mother needed all the help she could get , I weighed ten pound three ounces at birth.

I Spent my childhood growing up in the 'Meadows' next to the river Trent where I nearly drowned when I was pushed in by some 'mates'!. Only survived when a soldier saw the top of my head and tried to save what he thought was a drowning dog.

I Immigrated to Australia on the ship 'New Australia' with my parents and sisters in 1953, living at Unanderra near Wollongong, N.S.W. Completed my secondary education at Wollongong technical School then joined Electricity Commission of N.S.W. as an apprentice fitter and turner then when on through the ranks of rising to the position of Power Plant (Station) operator at Munmorah Power Station.

I married my wife Robin 1962 and we have three wonderful children who have gone on to be very successful in their own rights. I Resigned after twenty three years to operate my own business, a marine retail outlet covering all marine equipment, boats and outboard motors. After twenty seven years I retired to do more writing and take a break for a while.

I have done boating information T.V. series for the A.B.C. television in the earlier days. (when things were more local!.) Written boating articles for the local newspapers over the years and have now settled down to enjoy writing.

Obviously I like boating and find nothing better than to sit on the back deck of my boat enjoying the company of my family, having a Bunderberg rum and coke, surveying the blue waters of Keppel island.