Bøker av Derek Grant

In this brilliant companion to his best-seller "Gypsies, The Secret People", GEC Webb shares his memories of the colourful characters he met among the leafy lanes of Dorset in the first half of the 20th century.Here is the story of how he came to know and be accepted by the real gypsies of those days, providing unique glimpses of their ancient culture with its strange customs and beliefs.G.E.C. Webb was regarded as one of the UK's leading authorities on Romanis. Discover their way of life and learn about their now mostly-lost language in this wonderful personal account of a world long gone.This fascinating book also features an invaluable glossary of Romani words learned by the author during the course of his many meetings with the real gypsies of Dorset.

From an early age, Derek Grant always wanted to entertain. His puppet shows for the family on the kitchen table led, stage by stage, to producing some of the top UK provincial theatre tours of the early 21st Century. Now, to coincide with his 70th birthday, this fascinating book takes you on his journey from the village halls of Dorset to London's glittering West End and beyond.Re-live the last seven decades as Derek sets his story in context with the events of each year. It's all here from the introduction of decimal coinage to the compulsory wearing of seatbelts, miners' strikes, interest rates at 17%, famous births and deaths, and the invention of the world-wide-web. The text is also spiced with favourite stories and gags of the great comedians of the past. Ken Dodd, Frankie Howerd, Les Dawson, and Ronnie Corbett - even George Burns and Bob Hope.Here are the many stages of Derek's life. Whether it was studying theology at St Paul's College, working as a teacher, running a successful mail order business, producing professional pantomimes, or interviewing celebrities on stage, this is compelling reading - stage by stage!

Weaving timeless themes of family and friendship, love and loss, together with the universal need to respect differences and heal division, this compelling novel begins among the leafy lanes and sleepy villages of Dorset at the turn of the twentieth century.Prejudice is rife as young Patrick, from a family of travellers, sets out on a turbulent journey that takes him from service in the first world war, to forbidden love for a house-dwelling girl. How can he mend family feuds and find peace when his Aunt Rhoda has predicted many troubles ahead? After her prophesies start to come true, no one can doubt that she, as the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, undoubtedly has the gift of Second Sight! And what is the significance of the crude carving of a girl crying that keeps appearing at unforeseen moments? Does it have mystic powers over those bewitched by its spell?Based on the writings of the late Dorset author G E C Webb, this novel is wide-ranging and authentic. Strikes, the roaring twenties "jazz age", the lean times of the thirties, and even faster changes through the second world war all combine to make this a gripping read.

Gone Viral is an ephemeral, often humorous pictorial of people trying to deal and cope with a pandemic that they knew little about. Nothing about this saga has ever been set in stone. Rules and beliefs have changed daily. Families, workers, communities, countries and the world have been forever divided over how to best most forward and deal with a novel virus known as COVID-19. Derek Grant has had his camera rolling since Day 1. His discerning eye has produced a collection of over fifty images that have captured the essence of this no-see-um viral saga from various and unique points of view.

Season in Heaven is a pictorial study of stunning autumn foliage. Packed with over 100 of his very best fall shots, Derek Grant describes in vivid detail how leaf colors emerge and why the Atlantic Northeast is continually ranked in the top echelon of leaf-peeping destinations in the world. Be it terrestrial compositions of utilitarian architecture, time-lapsed shots of cascading waterfalls, or framing the fastest animal in the planet in full flight, Derek leaves no theme, or point of view uncovered in this unique look at those beloved flowers of fall. Set in an easy to read, portrait-sized format, this book is ideal for anyone with a love for colors and the beautiful autumn season. Libraries(Colors Provoke Cognitive Activity), Doctors/Dentists Offices(Colors Calm the Nerves), LTC and Nursing Homes(Colors Calm the Mind) will all benefit by having a copy of this book at the ready. We know that you will love this book and that it will serve to enhance and inspire your leaf-peeping experience.