Gold from copper Derek!
Discussion
PH’s very own Derek Smith – who retired from the police force some time ago but continues to grace PH with posts of relevance, knowledge, common sense and humour – has written a book about his experiences as a police officer in London during some very interesting times. I’ve read the book, and the only times I put it down was when my better half provided me with feedback (i.e. that I needed to do something else, or she would call her solicitor – again!). Derek’s book is a fascinating insight into an officer doing a sterling job, at times under difficult circumstances. It will entertain you, educate you, make you smile, make you think and may also bring a tear to the eye.
The book is called ‘Both Sides of the Force’ by Harvey Yates (a pun – see if you can work it out!) and is available as a Kindle download on
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Both-sides-force-ebook/dp/...
Before anyone asks, I am NOT Derek’s agent, Derek has most definitely NOT asked me to write this post, and I am NOT getting a cut of any profits! I’ve written this post because I respect Derek enormously and would like to see him getting due reward for the effort he has put into writing such an interesting book.
Happy reading ...
Julian
The book is called ‘Both Sides of the Force’ by Harvey Yates (a pun – see if you can work it out!) and is available as a Kindle download on
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Both-sides-force-ebook/dp/...
Before anyone asks, I am NOT Derek’s agent, Derek has most definitely NOT asked me to write this post, and I am NOT getting a cut of any profits! I’ve written this post because I respect Derek enormously and would like to see him getting due reward for the effort he has put into writing such an interesting book.
Happy reading ...
Julian
k, I can't be the only one to notice this!I shall have to ask HH junior #3 to download as I don't do Kindle, but off on holiday next week and I will look forward to reading this as I've always enjoyed DS's posts and his pragmatic, honest, and revealing opinions.
Unlike that cop-bot chap whose name I can't remember (but who epitomised the reason why most of the public dislike/distrust the police due to his complete inability to apply anything remotely close to common sense to anything and everything, and kept preaching 'the law'), DS was a copper we could all respect and look up to. If policing was still like that, the world/UK would be a far better place...
Unlike that cop-bot chap whose name I can't remember (but who epitomised the reason why most of the public dislike/distrust the police due to his complete inability to apply anything remotely close to common sense to anything and everything, and kept preaching 'the law'), DS was a copper we could all respect and look up to. If policing was still like that, the world/UK would be a far better place...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Both-sides-force-ebook/dp/...
Liking that the link includes /B0070OLLCK/
..just me then?
Liking that the link includes /B0070OLLCK/
..just me then?
I was fortunate to read this back in 2010 when Derek was offering it via Paypal. As well as being funny, well written and one of those "can't put down" scripts it also serves to highlight to those in the know the problems the police face and the idiocies which exist in forces.
Well worth the price.
Edit to add: found it again in my emails. Worth another read i think.
Well worth the price.
Edit to add: found it again in my emails. Worth another read i think.
. 
.Could I just endorse everything Julian said about how good the book is?
Thanks, Julian. I appreciate it, and am really glad you enjoyed it.
If anyone hasn't got Kindle, PM me.
I tried to get it printed. I once had a reader of the slush pile phone me. My wife picked up the phone and then mouthed 'publisher' and by the time I got to the phone I had won the Booker file and, even more importantly, was on the Richard and Judy list. But what the woman said was that I should change a few, quite a few, things.
The most important was not to include anything where individuals could be identified. I was told to cut three things which were, she said, unbelievable, yet for one I had a reference in another book.
I rewrote the book as she told me, phoned her back only to be told she'd left and gone to NZ or OZ. I resubmitted the book but heard nothing more.
Thanks, Julian. I appreciate it, and am really glad you enjoyed it.
If anyone hasn't got Kindle, PM me.
I tried to get it printed. I once had a reader of the slush pile phone me. My wife picked up the phone and then mouthed 'publisher' and by the time I got to the phone I had won the Booker file and, even more importantly, was on the Richard and Judy list. But what the woman said was that I should change a few, quite a few, things.
The most important was not to include anything where individuals could be identified. I was told to cut three things which were, she said, unbelievable, yet for one I had a reference in another book.
I rewrote the book as she told me, phoned her back only to be told she'd left and gone to NZ or OZ. I resubmitted the book but heard nothing more.
Derek Smith said:
If anyone hasn't got Kindle, PM me.
PM sent.My father publishes his own books these days (much to the dismay of my mother when another truck turns up with hundreds of books in boxes). It doesn't cost him that much - if you wanted to explore this route I'd happily put you in touch with him.
For those of you who have read the book perhaps you should write a review on Amazon? It'd be nice to help a fellow PH'r who is held in such high regard.
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