My Books
A good few years ago I gave up working in the motor-racing industry to go to university -
I wanted to upgrade my technology some more, so I went back to being a long-haired
hippy-waster-student, squandering the tax-payers' hard-earned money. Unfortunately
the grants to mature students were minimal, so I had to subsidise my time there somehow.
I decided to do this by writing books (as well as teaching, writing computer software and various other transient jobs).
I don't get paid much for them, but any extra income is welcome! Below I have given a few details of each - please
bear in mind that although I give a source for them, I don't get paid any royalties, so this is not an advert!
Book Number 1: Customizing Your Harley Davidson
Publisher #1: Advantage Publishers Group (January 1, 1998)
Publisher #2: Thunder Bay Pr (May 1998)
Hardcover: 192 pages
Language English
ISBN-10: 1571451366
ISBN-13: 978-1571451361
ASIN: B00201GHJ0
Product Dimensions: 31.8 x 24.1 x 2.5 cm
Although I had been writing magazine articles for several years, this was my first
'proper' book. My knowledge of the subject was gained through years of involvement
with motorcycles - from running my own spares and repairs shop to engineering
world championship grand-prix bikes. I built various custom bikes in the eighties,
as well as my Harley - a racer, which I started work on in 1986, and have used in
competition ever since. It has gone through many incarnations; the current version
is constructed from all sorts of exotic materials and components, giving it about
130 horsepower and around 320 pounds weight (135kg), making it a fierce machine to
ride, especially in the wet! (See 'My Harley'
page for a picture).
You can find the book listed on Amazon.com, amongst other suppliers.
Book Number 2: Wolves
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Random House USA Inc (Sep 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1844060993
ISBN-13: 978-1844060993
Also released as:
ISBN-10: 051716082X
ISBN-13: 978-0517160824
Product Dimensions: 29.2 x 22.2 x 1.9 cm
This was my second book, written in a mad four weeks not long before my degree finals...
If you'd asked me whether it was possible to write a whole book, including
the research in such a short time, I'd have told you to wake up to the real world.
The publishers, however, gave me four weeks, and if I didn't like it, they'd
find someone else to do it! At this time my mother was in the emergency ward of the
local hospital, my final exams were imminent, and I had bills to pay, so it was
a stressful time. The book turned out well though, and many people have said
nice things to me about it.
You can find it listed on Amazon.com, amongst other suppliers.
Book Number 3: Butterflies
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Gramercy (September 14, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0517161338
ISBN-13: 978-0517161333
Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
This was my third book; the publishers were kinder to me than last time - they gave me
ten weeks to write two books! These were 'Butterflies', shown here, and
'Seashells' shown below. One would have thought that I'd learnt my lesson whilst
writing the 'Wolves' book, and would have tried to lessen the load by not doing
so much at the same time. Me being me, however, it would have been far too easy -
this time I wrote two books in two months, whilst also dealing with a whole string
of other commitments, including starting my Ph.D. I delivered both books in eight
weeks, and then collapsed for a month!
The book has come out well - this is has been helped along enormously by
excellent photographic work, the majority of which was supplied by Alan Barnes and
Simon Coombes. Several others also contributed excellent pictures, for which I am
grateful.
You can find it listed on Amazon.com, amongst other suppliers.
Book Number 4: The World of Seashells: A Fully Illustrated Guide to These Fascinating Gifts from the Ocean
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Gramercy (September 14, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 051716132X
ISBN-13: 978-0517161326
ASIN: B001CI5DVU
Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
This was my fourth book, which, as detailed above was also produced during a hectic
blast of madness. I am very grateful to Mr. Neville Neale, who kindly allowed us
access to his superb seashell collection so that we could photograph it. Nearly
all the pictures in the book were taken by Simon Coombes, who once again did a
superb job. I believe that the photos are as good as any you will see in a book
on this subject - not only are the shots excellent, but we took particular
care over finding the best background for each one. This may sound trivial, but
if you take a look at most of the other seashell books produced in recent years,
they are let down because the awful backgrounds used haven't done justice to the
subject matter.
You can find it listed on Amazon.com, amongst other suppliers.
Book Number 5: Primates
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Gramercy; First Edition edition (October 3, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0517162040
ISBN-13: 978-0517162040
Product Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.5 inches
This was my fifth book, written just as I moved house - I always seem to pick my
moments to take on new projects!
You can find it listed on Amazon.com, amongst other suppliers.
Book Number 6: 500 Harley-Davidsons
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Crestline (October 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0760315019
ISBN-13: 978-0760315019
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
Book Number 7: Symbols & Symbolism
Co-written with my sister under 'Alex Hook'
I have no photo of the cover - I've not even seen the book myself...
Book Number 8: The Collins 'Need To Know? - Digital Photography'
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (May 2, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060849908
ISBN-13: 978-0060849900
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
Book Number 9: 'Native Americans'
Written me as by 'James Lagomarsino'
Hardcover: 600 pages
Publisher: Grange Books Ltd (Nov 2004)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1840137274
ISBN-13: 978-1840137279
Book Number 10: 'Harley-Davidson - The Complete History'; Edited by me, Photos by Garry Stuart
Hardback: 448 pages
Language English
Publisher: PRC Publishing
Date Published: 04/2003
ISBN-10: 1856486567
ISBN-13: 9781856486569
ISBN: 1856486567
Product Dimensions: 30 x 17 x 3 cm
Book Number 11: 'Defining Moments of World War II'
Written by me as 'Alex Hook'
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (February 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592234348
ISBN-13: 978-1592234349
Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
Book Number 12: 'Birds of the World'
Hardcover: 160 pages
Language English
ISBN-10: 184406106X
ISBN-13: 978-1844061068
Product Dimensions: 62.9 x 45.1 x 15.2 cm
Book Number 13: A new and updated version of The Collins 'Need To Know Digital Photography'
This was also released in various other languages - here it is in French:
Paperback: 191 pages
Publisher: Broquet Inc. (13 Nov 2006)
Language French
ISBN-10: 2890007766
ISBN-13: 978-2890007765
Product Dimensions: 21 x 15 x 1 cm
It was also published in 'Gem' format:
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Collins-Gem
Language: English
ISBN: 0007194315
ISBN-13: 978-0007194315
Publishing Date: April 4, 2005
Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.2 x 0.6 inches
Book Number 14: 'The Illustrated History of the Third Reich'
Written by me as 'Alex Hook'
Paperback: 239 pages
Publisher: TAJ Books (January 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1844060810
ISBN-13: 978-1844060818
Book Number 15: 'The Natural World'
Hardcover: 600 pages
Publisher: Grange Books Ltd (Nov 2004)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1840137266
ISBN-13: 978-1840137262
Book Number 16: The Collins 'Need To Know? - Weather Watching'
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Collins (7 Aug 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0007223005
ISBN-13: 978-0007223008
Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 15 x 1.4 cm
Book Number 17: The Collins 'Need To Know? - What To Do With Your Digital Photos'
Paperback: 192 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (18 May 2007)
Series Collins Need to Know?
ISBN-13: 9780007240029
ISBN-10: 0007240023
Product Dimensions: 210mm x 148mm
Book Number 18: 'The Stonewall Brigade In The Civil War'; Co-written with Steve Smith
Book Number 19: 'Hohenstaufen; The 9th SS Panzer Division'
Spearhead 20
Paperback
Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing (January 1, 2005)
ASIN: B002L4UDWI
ASIN: B002L4SM2G
This was also released as part of a larger work as: 'Waffen-SS Elite Forces 2
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Chartwell Books (Feb 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1840138289
ISBN-13: 978-1840138283
Product Dimensions: 26.2 x 20.3 x 2.3 cm
Book Number 20: 'Baby Animals'
This is the best photo I can find of the cover - I've not even seen the book myself...
Publisher: TAJ Books
Hardcover: 160 pages
Language English
ISBN-10: 1844060969
ISBN-13: 978-1844060962
Book Number 21: 'Wild Animals'
I have no photo of the cover - I've not even seen the book myself...
Publisher: TAJ Books
Hardcover: 160 pages
Language English
ISBN-10: 1844060993
ISBN-13: 978-1844060993
Book Number 22: 'And They Walked Away'
Written by me as 'James Lagomarsino'
I have no photo of the cover - I've not even seen the book myself...
Publisher: TAJ Books
Hardcover: 160 pages
Language English
ISBN-10: 1844060977
ISBN-13: 978-1844060979
Book Number 23: 'Polar Regions'
I have no photo of the cover - I've not even seen the book myself...
Publisher: TAJ Books
Hardcover: 160 pages
Language English
ISBN-10: 1844061094
ISBN-13: 978-1844061099
Product Dimensions: 59.4 x 42.4 x 2 cm
Book Number 24: 'The Frozen World: A Panoramic Vision'
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Compendium Publishing (1 Oct 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1905573057
ISBN-13: 978-1905573059
Product Dimensions: 42.8 x 30.2 x 3.2 cm
This was also published in many other languages - here it is in Spanish as 'El Mundo Helado: Una Vision Panoramica'
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Edimat; Tra Ill edition (Jun 2008)
Language Spanish
ISBN-10: 8497649877
ISBN-13: 978-8497649872
Product Dimensions: 42.2 x 29.5 x 3.3 cm
Book Number 25: 'Rainforests: A Panoramic Vision'
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Compendium Publishing (12 Oct 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1905573081
ISBN-13: 978-1905573080
Product Dimensions: 43.2 x 30 x 3.6 cm
Book Number 26: 'North American Birds'
Hardcover: 255 pages
Publisher: Chartwell Books (30 Mar 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0785822194
ISBN-13: 978-0785822196
Product Dimensions: 42.4 x 29.5 x 3 cm
Book Number 27: 'Heritage Motorcycles'
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Compendium Publishing (September 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1906347581
ISBN-13: 978-1906347581
Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 11.5 x 1.1 inches
Book Number 28: 'The Little Book of Environmental Principles'
Paperback (224 pages)
Publisher: New Holland Publishers Ltd
Published: 31 October 2008
ISBN: 1847730671
ISBN-13: 9781847730671
Book Number 29: 'The Concise Guide to Insects'
This was also released in paperback format as 'A Pocket Guide to Insects (Pocket Guides)'
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Parragon Inc (May 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1407511351
ISBN-13: 978-1407511351
Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.2 x 2.3 cm
This was also released in various other languages - here it is in Spanish as 'Insectos'
Book Number 30: 'The Concise Guide to Seashores'
This was also released in paperback format as 'A Pocket Guide to Seashells & the Seashore (Pocket Guides)'
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Parragon Inc (May 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1407511378
ISBN-13: 978-1407511375
Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.2 x 1.5 cm
Book Number 31: 'The Concise Guide to Rocks & Minerals'
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Parragon Book Service Ltd (1 May 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1407511335
ISBN-13: 978-1407511337
Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.6 x 2.4 cm
This was also released in paperback format as 'A Pocket Guide to Rocks and Minerals (Pocket Guides)'
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Parragon Inc (May 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 140751136X
ISBN-13: 978-1407511368
Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 14.2 x 2.3 cm
Book Number 32: Part of a book on Human Anatomy
Book Number 33: 'Numerology'
(written under a pseudonym as I think the subject is rubbish)
I have no photo of the cover - I've not even seen the book myself...
Book Number 34: A re-write of an Italian Physiology book
This has not been published yet
Back to the Foxonic homepage