Martin Booth Books

Set against the backdrop of 1950s Hong Kong, the memoir recounts the unique childhood experiences of a young boy who navigated a vibrant yet complex world. Through encounters with colorful characters like the plink plonk man and the Queen of Kowloon, the narrative reveals not only the charm of a bustling colony but also the turmoil of his parents' troubled relationship. This intimate reflection captures the essence of a bygone era while exploring themes of innocence, cultural clash, and personal upheaval.

Martin Booth looks at the history of the oldest known, and most widely used narcotic drug. He considers religious associations, medical aspects and the influence of opium on the arts, as well as the drug's addictive effect

Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1914, the story follows Alec Marquand, a recent college graduate hired to survey ancient brochs in the Scottish Highlands. His discovery of Eileen Tosdach, the Island of Silence, is abruptly interrupted when he is sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign. The narrative explores themes of war, loss, and the quest for redemption, offering a profound journey through the horrors of battle and the search for meaning amidst chaos, from the acclaimed author of The Industry of Souls.

Shadowed by the unhappiness of his warring parents, a broad-minded mother who, like her son, was keen to embrace all things Chinese, and a bigoted father who was enraged by his family's interest in 'going native', Martin Booth's compelling memoir is a journey into Chinese culture and an extinct colonial way of life.

Captured by Hirohito's soldiers at the fall of Hong Kong and transferred to a Japanese slave camp outside Hiroshima, Captain Joe Sandingham was present when the bomb was dropped. Now a shell of a man, he lives in a cheap Hong Kong hotel, scrounging for food and the occasional bar girl. The locals call him "Hiroshima Joe" with a mixture of pity and contempt. But Joe—haunted by the sounds and voices of his past, debilitated by illness, and shattered by his wartime ordeal—is a man whose compassion and will to survive define a clear-eyed and unexpected heroism. One of the most powerful novels about the experience of war, first published in 1985.

This study offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the world's most controversial weed, examining its cultural, social, and historical significance. It delves into its status as the most widely consumed drug after tobacco, alcohol, and aspirin, providing readers with insightful perspectives on its impact and the debates surrounding its use. The book aims to make complex topics accessible, blending entertainment with education.

A malevolent chemistry teacher, Yoland's aim is to gain power by stealing souls. Pip and Tim, newly started at secondary school, manage to get the alchemist's son into their class so that he can uncover Yoland's evil plans. But Yoland has help - in the form of a stunted familiar who pretends to be a schoolboy, and from a mysterious supply teacher.

A haunting psychological suspense novel, now re-released to tie in to the major new film starring George Clooney

Why does Conan Doyle decide to destroy his famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, as success rolls in?

Step away from the obvious – the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain, or the wonderful We The Curious where science and art collide – and discover unexpected treasures such as secret gardens, hidden memorials to the past and unusual modes of transport. Journey through the old haunts of world famous pirates; past the Oscar-winning animation studio home to Morph and Wallace & Gromit; along shopping streets that sell everything from handcrafted vioin bows to locally-made gin. If you know where to look, Bristol will unravel its secrets in front of your eyes.