From James McDonald, Australia…
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Quite moving in parts. Learned lots of interesting stuff in the book. Will start combing bookstores for more of this kind of thing, as well as biographies, memoirs… Eagerly await a sequel.
Latest from Andrew Landström, Sweden…
“Nor The Years Condemn” by Justin Sheedy is a book among many about the young men who risked all to fly, fight, love and lose during World War 2. What makes this book stand out is the way it is written, the closeness you get with the main character. I’d have to say it is written with soul and is very balanced when it comes to describing situations where technology and man meet. I lost myself in descriptions of emotional trauma, being moved by the characters’ emotions, which I find a bonus. It is about everything around an individual caught up in the vortex of war, family, friends, love, loss, victory…
LEST WE FORGET
by Stephanie Speakman, Cape Cod, USA
A war story, a love story and, above all, an historically correct novel for pilots and armchair readers alike. The darkest days of 1943 are resurrected by the memorable characters as the plot moves from Sydney to London and the skies above. Five stars!
An Enthralling Read
by Nathan Dickey, Waco, Texas
My interest was piqued when I saw it was about RAAF pilots in WWII, something we here in the US have to dig for and from my initial thoughts on the book, before it was read, I knew it would be very good. I had no clue though, that it would be even better than I expected. The story is an amazing read and I found the characters exceptional, each with their own unique personality. The way it’s written gives you a connection to the characters and the attention to detail is superb, adding to the realism and feel of the story. It is obvious, the amount of time that was spent researching, little details pop out nicely, adding more depth to already intricate moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will read it again and again. I just couldn’t seem to put it down, time escaping me as I read late into the night, several nights. Truly a story one can get lost in, as I surely did. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in aviation, WWII or the RAAF/RAF in the war. Brilliant!
Nor the Years Condemn is Goodreading
by Tim Bean, Australia
NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN, by Justin Sheedy, is an engrossing war novel set amid Britain’s fighter squadrons during WWII. In 1939, Daniel Quinn, 20, Sydney University 1ST XV Rugby star, applies to join the RAAF almost on a whim. It’s a whim which will have him flying a Spitfire over Nazi Germany with a one in three chance of survival. Told mostly from Daniel’s viewpoint, NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN details the misfortunes of war experienced by a generation of young pilots, the best of the best, most of whom will die young. Daniel faces his first flight, first kill, first love, first loss and first meeting with a young colleague old before his time. It’s a tense, well told story, gripping, from prologue to epilogue. (To those readers in the habit of skipping prologues, a word of advice: Don’t skip this one.) Justin Sheedy’s no-nonsense style of writing fits perfectly with his subject matter. The detailed research is obvious, yet there are no glaring information dumps. Instead, the exposition is so well integrated that it becomes part of the drama. In all, NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN is a very good read which, incidentally, would also make a very good movie.
War Torn Skies
More from Stephanie Speakman, USA…
Justin Sheedy convincingly paints Sydney and London from a fighter pilot’s perspective. The story jinks like a Spitfire in Focke-Wulf’s crosshairs. An airman’s story and a love story, Nor the Years Condemn captures the essence of a time when life expectancies were short, when young men and women made the most from the moments they had as they gave their all to save the world they knew. Mateship was an unspoken assumption, and understatement a common denominator. Sheedy is totally at home in 1943; he knows the aircraft and their idiosyncrasies, the spirited thoroughbred of a Supermarine Spitfire, the unforgiving war horse of a Typhoon that could kill a pilot as easily as the enemy. He evokes blitzed London, its atmosphere of rubble, unexploded bombs, and dive-in-the-wall pubs contrasting sharply to the Sydney his protagonist, Daniel Quinn, left behind, brought to mind through family letters. An historically correct, beautifully crafted novel, Nor the Years Condemn leaves me anticipating Justin Sheedy’s next work. Five stars!
A Magnetic Take
by Paddy O’Connor, UK
I found this tale absolutely magnetic… His writing is highly readable and the storyline maintained my interest right from the beginning. His research was obviously long and deep, for the authenticity of locations, the excitement of the fight sequences, the overall strategic needs & detail and the general run of the plot made a brilliantly enjoyable book which ended with really quite unexpected pathos that was entirely in keeping with the spirit of the story. Happily, he avoided being drawn into the trap of broadening the two obvious love elements, yet managed to provide an interest in that direction by capturing the war-time emotional need for immediacy rather than the measured courting of less stressful times. I say all this, not because the author and I have become ‘friends’ on Facebook following a mutual (UK) friend’s recommendation of the book but because what I say is exactly what I feel – and I look forward greatly to reading the sequel… Keep writing Justin Sheedy – you tell a brilliant tale.
From Logan Meddler Dehn, Indiana, USA…
Justin, I absolutely LOVED your book. Every detail fits together to make an amazing, compelling, and fascinating story! The best book I’ve ever read! I almost felt like I was there; I could see every scene in my mind and almost feel the rumble of the Spitfire’s engines. I would recommend this book to anyone!
You will be Enthralled
by Jason Mitchell, UK
For anybody who likes a good read try “Nor the Years Condemn” by an Australian chap by the name of Justin Sheedy. It’s about young Australian pilots who volunteer to join the RAF in our time of our darkest days of WW2 when the Luftwaffe were relentlessly bombing our airfields and cities. You will find the story exciting and you will be enthralled and want to read it over and over again. I highly recommend the book and it would make anybody young or old a brilliant stocking filler.
Should be on the School Curriculum
by Angela La Camera Paino, Australia
“Nor the Years Condemn” by Justin Sheedy. Set during WWII, this is an outstanding novel where its Australian author has captured the perfect balance between what is expected of “story telling” & historical accuracy. The author’s incredible sensibility reflects in his portrayal of each & every character. I thought particularly moving his description of how Daniel (the main hero) spent his last day in Sydney with his younger brother Matt and again in Matt’s letters to his beloved & much admired brother Danny, a wonderful way for the author to give us an insight into life in Sydney of the period. A wonderful way to make them so real, so human and a clever way to let us in to their innermost dreams & aspirations… The perfect way to make them so real; you do believe they are & feel all they feel along with them. The author’s meticulous & accurate description of the flying, the planes (I never knew there were so many!), the training, the missions over foreign locations, the hint of espionage, the glory & the emotional trauma of its characters has all the makings of a classic war movie – At times I could liken to a documentary. So much so, that I believe this is a book which should be made part of the SCHOOL CURRICULUM. For what better way to inspire & capture the young ones’ imagination but with a book such as this?!
From Mitchell Newell, Australia…
“Nor the Years Condemn” brings to life the realities of war. The reader is able to put themselves in the positions of the main characters – I would recommend this novel to anyone I come in contact with.
I cannot remember when a novel so engrossed me…
by Author, Marc Stevens, Canada
“Nor the Years Condemn” by Australian novelist Justin Sheedy draws the
reader in and simply will not let go. This story follows the war of an Australian law student who leaves school to volunteer in the RAAF as a fighter pilot. Beginning with the highs and lows of pilot training, the plot continues on to England and the early, uncertain and scary days as a new Spitfire pilot. Inexperienced pilots had no chance unless they could find a way to stay alive long enough to learn how to kill. Not an easy task, and one very well covered by Sheedy. Lucky and not so lucky accidents and incidents take their toll. Action prevails, both in and out of the cockpit. The plot and character development show a wealth of research. It is clear that Sheedy consulted with warriors who lived the actual events, and no fault in fact or concept was evident. This is not, by any means, a pretty story; rather, it shows war the way it really was: gory and nasty. In short, this book is as real as it must have been.
I cannot remember when a novel so engrossed me and forced me to read all hours of the day and night. Sleep and work may have interrupted my progress, but I made it through in 5 days, a near record for this plodding reader. I was honestly disappointed that I had to spend time to sleep before my reading could continue. This is a fine novel, and one that begs a sequel. The cover art says it all: “First time overseas. With a unique job. Stop Hitler.” Well done to the Allied fighter pilots, and to Justin Sheedy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Justin Sheedy is currently writing his next book, the sequel to his first published work, Goodbye Crackernight, a comic memoir of growing up in 1970s Australia (back in a long-lost era when a child’s proudest possession was not a PlayStation but a second-hand bike). This sequel will be entitled Memoirs of a Go-Go Dancer. Justin also has a sequel to Ghosts of the Empire planned: Entitled Stoney, it will tell the story of a key character from Nor the Years Condemn as featured in the closing chapters of Ghosts and will form the third and final instalment of his Nor the Years Condemn trilogy. Justin lives in Sydney where his passions, besides writing and reading, include classic TV & movies, comedy, music, fashion & aviation, historical documentaries & history in general, Mediterranean cooking, stimulating conversation & chilled white wine in the Australian summer, also walking, skiing, mountains and snow. He loves his mum and believes in laughter.
OTHER WRITINGS BY JUSTIN SHEEDY
Justin had his first book, Goodbye Crackernight, published in 2009. Goodbye Crackernight was so warmly received by Australian readers that it secured Justin a place on the program of the prestigious Byron Bay Writers’ Festival 2010 and is currently orderable through all bookstores and online. Justin’s second book, Nor the Years Condemn, published in 2011, was the prequel to Ghosts of the Empire, and saw Justin invited to the Gloucester Writers’ Festival 2012. For more details and to read excerpts and rave reviews of Goodbye Crackernight and Nor the Years Condemn, visit Crackernight.com. There you will also find Justin’s many short stories and articles, all free to read and enjoy.
CONNECT ONLINE WITH JUSTIN
Justin would love to hear from you and share your thoughts on Ghosts of the Empire. Feel free to contact him and leave a comment at the book’s Facebook page, at Justin’s personal Facebook page, at his blog at Crackernight.com, or on Twitter.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dear Reader, my warmest thanks to you for reading this, my latest book, Ghosts of the Empire. I most sincerely hope you have enjoyed it.
From the outset I must thank my friend, Andrew Landström from Sweden, for accepting the all-important role of ‘test reader’ for Ghosts of the Empire. Just as I expected they would be, his comments were invaluable at this final stage before publication. I prevailed upon Andrew to perform this task as he was one of the very first people who profoundly ‘got’ the prequel, Nor the Years Condemn, for all it was hoped and intended to be, writing not one but two quite soulful reader-reviews for it and remaining a constant support all the way through my writing of Ghosts. Also, as a proud Scandinavian, Andrew’s tick of approval re my portrait of the infamous yet complicated Vidkun Quisling as portrayed in Ghosts was highly relieving to receive.
For their help in my historical research efforts central to my writing of Ghosts of the Empire I have the following people to thank…
From Australia, Stephen Hay, ex-Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm mechanic, for lending me Mosquito Log by Alexander McKee (Souvenir Press 1988), The Mosquito Manual - The Official Air Publication for the Mosquito, 1941-1945 (Aston Publications Ltd 1988 for the Royal Air Force Museum), plus even a downloaded net version of the standard World War II era ‘De Havilland Mosquito Pilot’s Notes’, the very bible for all Mosquito aircrew. Michael Kemp of ABC TV for passing a submission re Nor the Years Condemn to the ABC’s First Tuesday Book Club show and for his expert advice re a railway sequence in Ghosts of the Empire, rail history being a subject dear to Michael’s heart – Yes, we have train-spotters here in Australia too. Tess Egan for suggesting what proved a key research text for this book: The Gestapo Hunters: 464 Squadron RAAF 1942-45 by Mark Lax and Leon Kane-Maguire (Banner Books 2005), also for putting me in touch with her 93-year-old father, Jack Rayner, who flew as a navigator for 464 Squadron as so integrally featured in my story. Author and airline pilot Charles Richard Page for his expert advice on aerodynamics, particularly in the context of combat damage in time of war. Do check out Charles’s latest air-historical work, Wings of Destiny (Rosenberg Publishing 2008). Author Kristen Alexander for interviewing me on my writing at her blog, KristenAlexander.com.au, and for her historian’s eye for detail during my writing of Ghosts. See Kristen’s latest book, Australian Eagles - Australians in the Battle of Britain (Barrallier Books 2013). My most excellent old friend, author Walter Mason for his (legendary) kindness in recommending both Nor the Years Condemn and Ghosts of the Empire to two major Australian publishers. See Walter’s latest work, the hilarious and eminently spiritual Destination Cambodia. Ben Garland, book-buyer at Dymocks George Street Sydney, for his invaluable and inspired support of Nor the Years Condemn and now of this book, its sequel. Ben was the very first retail book industry figure to get behind Nor the Years, ordering it for the flagship store of the great Dymocks Books chain in early 2012 with the pronouncement “I’ve got a really good feeling about this.” Ben’s faith and kindness truly was the initial spark for a triumphant retail 2012 for Nor the Years Condemn, the year concluding at Dymocks George Street with my sell-out book-signing event on Remembrance Day weekend. Ben has since re-ordered the book 8 times and has now taken Ghosts of the Empire under his wing. Petra Grotjahn who, as manager of Dymocks Chatswood during 2012, organised two in-store book-signing events for me and has proven a true champion of my writing ever since our first contact. On discovering that I was the author of Goodbye Crackernight, which she had thoroughly enjoyed, Petra enthusiastically agreed to consider my next book, Nor the Years Condemn, and to my huge relief thoroughly enjoyed that too despite its entirely different literary genre and style from Crackernight. Yet most relieving of all to me was that someone as eminently well-read as Petra engaged with Nor the Years profoundly enough to offer keen narrative hopes re its sequel, Ghosts of the Empire, for which I look forward to further in-store events at Dymocks Chatswood. The lovely Collette McGrath whose PR efforts for my book events have been nothing short of stellar. My dear friend Susanne (5 Types of Fabulous) Heuberger for her expertise with matters of German and French translation as featured in my story. Eminent ‘European’, Dijana Karaconji, for her research suggestions regarding French rural culture and tradition. Nikki Humphreys for her friendship, tireless support and highly valued opinions re book cover design. Robin Mead for his help with research on the ATA and the Amiens Raid. Megan Nelson for spreading the international word re my writing. The staff of the Australian War Memorial, Berkelouw Books and Gleebooks, all of whom now stock Nor the Years and Ghosts and who remain a most highly valued support to me as an independent author. Vanessa Witton, my old friend and Glebe neighbour whose interview of me for The Glebe Society Bulletin and encouragement of my local publicity resulted in a string of cafés along
the iconic Glebe Point Road displaying promotional posters featuring the cover of Nor the Years alongside my photo portrait, as a result of which Glebe property prices have plummeted. To its residents I apologise. And the superb staff of the Australian Society of Authors and of the New South Wales Writers’ Centre, without whose ongoing support and advice I’d likely be this day still sitting on the floor of my flat scratching my head and hoping this book might be published some day.
From England, Jim Keeling for his prolific photos (taken by him on a special field trip to aid my research) of his local area in rural Norfolk in order that my descriptions of Mick O’Regan’s soul-searching walk through that classic English countryside should be as visually accurate as possible. Ewan Burnet and Gordon Leith of the RAF Museum Hendon (a campus of the Imperial War Museum) as well as Robert Glasby of the Mosquito Museum, Hatfield, for their brilliant help in determining for me precisely when and where the British Media of the mid-war years released the closely guarded secret of the ‘Wooden Wonder’ to the British Public: Their help to me on this point included scanned images of the actual late-1942 colour magazine covers and article pages which broke the stunning story. The ever wonderful Denise Boneham (winner of the Distinguished Friendship Cross) for whose online support of my books I will be forever grateful. Ex-RAF Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Barrass of the Royal Air Force Historical Society for his superb reference website on the history of the RAF and its squadrons (Rafweb.org) and also for fielding my detailed questions regarding RAF rank structure and insignia way back to my first book in this series. And the lovely Celia Byrnes for providing me with photos and journals from the collection of her father, a World War II era aero-designer for the famous Hawker company.
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