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Boom and Bust

by Jim Kardar; Cover Design or Artwork by Frank Connor and Jean Tierney

309 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #07-1719; ISBN 1-4251-4162-5; US$21.11, C$21.11, EUR14.42, £10.90

Villainy and vulnerability are the counterparts of human life. Opportunists will exploit and vulnerables will suffer but sooner or later the predator would himself become the quarry.

About the Book

There is nothing beyond the vile scope of greedy exploiters who single mindedly victimize anyone vulnerable enough to take the bait of higher financial returns.

Villainy and vulnerability permeates in all layers of social fabric and in each section of every professional enterprise. Who can deny that they never wavered from the pathway of ‘buyer beware’ safety code?

In the circumstances replete with rich pickings an unscrupulous financial consultant callously exploited his trusting clients and betrayed the trust placed in him by his employees, a global insurance company.

“What goes around, comes around” to such reality he was neither concerned nor prepared. When the chips went down he didn’t hesitate to do a runner from his obligations and from his own wife and child.

But how – to where – and what then!?

Reviews

Perfect eyesight was once crucial to his distinguished career as an airline pilot, but a Norwich pensioner has not let the fact he is now partially sighted stop him from becoming a published author and a fundraiser for charity.

Jim Kardar, a 78-year-old former Air Anglia pilot who suffers from macular degeneration, a condition which blurs the centre of his vision, has written a novel about financial scams and the victims of the immoral opportunists of society, which will be sold in Waterstones to raise money for the East Anglian air ambulance and the Quidenham Children's Hospice.

Mr Kardar, of Borrowdale Drive, Norwich, wants to prove to other sufferers of the disease that they can still achieve their goals, and at the same time raise money for two charities which are close to his heart.

He said: "I don't think the air ambulance gets enough money and I support it because it is to do with aviation, and I used to be a pilot, and I also wanted to donate money to the children's hospice because no-one likes to see children suffering.

"I don't know how much money it will raise but the more the better.

"It will be an ongoing commitment because any time anybody buys it in the future will continue to help with funding."

Mr Kardar wrote the book in a year with the help of a powerful magnifying glass and lamp, but although this aided him in his work, he found it very uncomfortable and was only able to write for short periods of time.

"I won't say it was very painful because pain is just in the mind," he said. "But it was very uncomfortable because the magnifying glass lamp got very hot and your hands are exposed to excessive heat. My eyes would get very tired, so I could only write a couple of pages at a time. I know the book is not going to be a Harry Potter but if it raises a few pounds extra then it is worth it."

Mr Kardar, whose book has been published by Trafford printers, will be signing copies at the Waterstone's store on Castle Street, Norwich, next month on a date yet to be set.

His wife Anne, 62, said: "Jim found it very difficult and uncomfortable but he soldiered on throughout the year because he wanted to raise money for charity, and I think he is quite a hero."

The fiction focuses on a group of people who have been duped while trying to get rich quick. This includes a jetliner captain, milkman, and an ex-army NCO.

Simon Gray, chief executive of the East Anglian air ambulance charity, said: "I don't know how Jim Kardar decided upon our charity but we are extremely grateful he has. The book does sound fascinating and very relevant to the times we are going through at the moment."

Sam Emanuel
Norwich Evening News

About the Author

Born and educated in Lahore, Pakistan. Belongs to the family of international cricket background - chose aviation in preference to the game of cricket. Trained and worked the best part of working life as an airline pilot. Now a retired person. Happily married for over thirty years. Enjoying life with his beloved wife and a 23 year old bossy cat. Has suspended foreign tourism to remain at home and enjoy, among other interests, writing and socializing.