Bøker av John Webb

Taking up any challenge, even an extreme one, for many people is not unusual, especially when the aim is to raise money to support a specific charity or other deserving cause. Often there is a direct link between the person taking on the challenge and the charity nominated to benefit from funds raised. Not all succeed, of course, even ending in heart break and sadly, tragic circumstances, at times. So, what happens when one, 57-year-old, unfit, overweight, ex-smoking individual decides to pit himself against one of the world's Seven Summits? Maybe it is a recipe for disaster on the face of it, some might even say foolhardy and risky but the events of the previous years that led to this attempt were compelling and after much consideration, made the urge too strong to ignore. The actual challenge was one thing but undertaking the preparation and importantly the fund raising, were extremely hard work, yet, at the same time fulfilling, fun and exhausting. Every Step of the Way not only charts the 12 months leading up to that week on Mount Kilimanjaro and details the actual climb but, additionally, looks into the reasons for attempting it, which began with one man being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, his appalling treatment in care, and the inevitable outcome.

This book, part of the series Cave and Karst Systems of the World, begins with a review of the interaction between people and caves in Australia (including conservation), followed by descriptions of the spectacular cave diving sites, before comprehensively covering all the major carbonate and noncarbonate karst areas, subdivided by rock type and region, and including the origin of the caves. This is followed by broad overviews of cave minerals and speleothems, cave biology and cave fossils. Each section was written by one or more specialists in the topic and is illustrated by clear diagrams and superb colour photos. The book emphasises the unique aspects of the Australian karst, including the variability in the age of the caves (very old to very young) and the impact of isolation on the stygofauna, as well as the vertebrate fossils preserved in the caves. Written in an easy-to-read style, the book is a primary reference guide to Australian karst and represents a valuable asset for anyone interested in the topic, not only cavers and academics.

Molyvos chronicles the work of Melinda McRostie and a few friends in Molyvos—on the north coast of the Greek island of Lesvos—as well as Eric and Philippa Kempton at Eftalou as they carried out the only refugee relief effort on the north coast between 2014 and 2015.

Julian Lockhardt is the bombastic manager of the Samarang Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, a gathering place for diplomats and spies. When he discovers a guest is facing an ordeal he can scarcely contemplate, the two of them take a journey into the hills of northern Laos, and Julian returns to the capital with new insight into the ways of the world and his place in it.

Durban lawyer Teddy Dickerson has run out of ideas. Cynical, single and middle-aged, he's the very last of his family to still call South Africa home. When his formidable Aunt Val dies, she leaves him an unusual bequest: her task for Teddy is to post letters to eight of her friends around the world, a job that will take him on a journey into new and unexpected territory. When the replies start flowing in - quirky, unexpected and often hilarious missives from India, Egypt, England, Canada and beyond - Teddy realises there was more to his tough aunt than he'd thought. Will he take on Aunt Val's role as confidant and comforter of the lost? Confidant and comforter? Teddy?!One thing's for certain: Aunt Val is laughing in her grave.

The life and work of a provincial merchant, his organisation of his business affairs, and his role in civic life.

Records of Tooley benefaction and municipal poorhouse, together with assessments and payment of relief, c.1550-1600.

Selected treasurers' and chamberlains' accounts detailing the income and expenditure of a wealthy provincial town and port, and revealing urban life from travelling players to punishing criminals.