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Berwick Coates

    Berwick Coates crafts works that explore the intersection of art and history. His extensive life experiences as an army officer, writer, artist, and educator inform his writing with a unique perspective. He delves into the connection between the past and the present, often through meticulous archival research. His prose is valued for its depth and interdisciplinary approach.

    On Teaching
    National Service - Earning the Pips
    Past Hysteric
    The Last Conquest
    The Last Viking
    The Perfect Christmas Present
    • 2024

      The Perjured Crown

      • 318 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      The story delves into the pivotal encounter between Earl Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy, which occurred two years before the Battle of Hastings. After being shipwrecked, Harold spends a summer with William, during which he allegedly swears an oath concerning the English throne. However, the reliability of this oath is questioned, as the Bayeux Tapestry is considered Norman propaganda. The narrative explores the truth behind the events leading up to the conflict, challenging the established historical narrative.

      The Perjured Crown
    • 2022

      Teach to learn, learn to teach

      • 214 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      Teaching is an accessible skill that can be mastered by anyone willing to embrace determination, decency, and a bit of humor. The process is not shrouded in complexity or reserved for the exceptionally talented; rather, it requires ongoing learning and adaptation. The text encourages beginners to overcome their fears of jargon and theories, emphasizing that valuable insights can be found in everyday experiences. It highlights the importance of staying observant and open to new ideas throughout the teaching journey.

      Teach to learn, learn to teach
    • 2022

      Deus Le Volt

      • 296 pages
      • 11 hours of reading

      Set during the First Crusade, the narrative follows a diverse group of characters, including knights, peasants, and religious leaders, as they embark on a perilous journey to reclaim the Holy Land. Tensions rise amid personal ambitions, political intrigue, and the clash of cultures. The novel delves into themes of faith, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of war, painting a vivid picture of the historical context and the human experience during this tumultuous time. Richly detailed, it brings to life the challenges and motivations that drove individuals to seek glory and redemption.

      Deus Le Volt
    • 2021

      National Service - Earning the Pips

      Reflections on Officer Selection - 1947-1963

      • 234 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      Set against the backdrop of post-war Britain, the book explores the mandatory two years of military service imposed on all able-bodied seventeen-year-old males from 1947 to 1963. It delves into the experiences and challenges faced by these young men as they navigate the complexities of duty, identity, and the impact of conscription on their lives and society. Through personal stories and historical context, it examines the broader implications of military service during a transformative period in British history.

      National Service - Earning the Pips
    • 2020

      The Trojan Brotherhood

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      Hector Bliss, a man with a troubled past, finds himself in a seemingly perfect job in the south of France during summer. However, the situation is complicated by his colleague, Dr. Constance Marshall, who harbors concerns about the position but remains tight-lipped. As the story unfolds, the tension between their circumstances and unspoken issues hints at deeper conflicts and mysteries that may disrupt their idyllic setting.

      The Trojan Brotherhood
    • 2019

      On Teaching

      • 288 pages
      • 11 hours of reading

      Reflecting on his extensive experience of teaching over 40,000 lessons, Berwick Coates shares valuable insights and lessons learned throughout his career. His journey offers a unique perspective on education, revealing the nuances and challenges faced in the classroom. With a wealth of knowledge to draw from, he aims to inspire and inform others about the art of teaching and the impact it can have on students' lives.

      On Teaching
    • 2018

      Still on Record

      The Return of the Archivist

      • 280 pages
      • 10 hours of reading

      This collection showcases the intriguing history of West Buckland School through the eyes of Berwick Coates, the School Archivist. Following the success of his previous work, Coates presents a selection of unique anecdotes and highlights, inspired by public interest and notable reactions, including encouragement from President Trump and a government ban in North Korea. This volume promises to unveil more captivating stories from the school's archives, appealing to both history enthusiasts and fans of the original publication.

      Still on Record
    • 2014

      Past Hysteric

      • 198 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Focusing on the concept of error, this book explores how mistakes can possess their own inherent logic and significance. The author, a history teacher, presents a tribute to the value of errors that resist correction, suggesting that these missteps may hold more merit than the truth itself. Through this lens, the narrative challenges conventional perceptions of right and wrong, inviting readers to reconsider the role of error in understanding history and human experience.

      Past Hysteric
    • 2014

      'Bring back National Service.' How often does one hear that heartfelt plea as a cure for the apparently permanent epidemic of yobs, hoodies, louts, hooligans, delinquents, and general undesirables, yet one wonders whether the pleader really has any idea of what he or she is asking for. National Service came to an end fifty years ago - the last National Serviceman was demobbed in May 1963 - so you have to be nearly seventy to know what you are talking about - which cuts out the majority of the population. So what was National Service? How did it start? How long did it last? What did you actually have to do? Who had to do it? Was it really as awful as all that? Or was it in fact worse? Why did it come to an end? What good did it do - if any? This profusely-illustrated book takes you behind the scenes of the 'system' which created National Service, and analyses the effects it had on two and a half million young men who were given no choice about giving up two years of their lives to the Armed Forces. This fascinating and richly nostalgic book will provide insights into National Service for those too young to have experienced it and will bring a host of memories for those who went through the apparently endless round of square-bashing and spitting-and- polishing, sometimes with endurance and surprisingly often with enjoyment.

      National Service Fifty Years On
    • 2014

      The Last Viking

      • 432 pages
      • 16 hours of reading

      Stamford Bridge. Two armies. One kingdom. Only one will win the greatest prize - the jewel of England.

      The Last Viking