Beyond the ordinary
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A Very Firm Handshake - Confessions of a Charity CEO
A Very Firm Handshake - Confessions of a Charity CEO:
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
An interesting, engaging and often humorous account of the authors time as a charity Chief Executive.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2025
Very interesting and funny account of Ted’s time as a Charity Chief Executive.
Would recommend.
Alban of Verulamium - Britannia's First Saint
Alban of Verulamium - Britannia's First Saint
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
A very interesting read if you know about st.albans and it's history
5.0 out of 5 stars Book review Alban of Verulamium
Very readable
Ted Hill’s recent historical novel breathes life into the shadowy figure of Alban, Britain’s first recorded Christian saint. Set in the final years of Roman Britain, the story unfolds within the walled town of Verulamium, today’s city of St Albans in Hertfordshire.
Ted convincingly recreates the sensory world of a Roman town, from the smell of baking bread through to the clatter of legionary boots on cobbled streets. Alban himself emerges as a complex character torn between civic duty and an inexplicable pull toward an outlawed faith. The pivotal moment, Alban sheltering a fleeing priest and donning his cloak to enable escape, unfolds with predictable inevitability. His writing style has a moralistic tone which provides the climactic martyrdom with genuine spiritual power.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent portrait of Alban and Roman life
Alban of Verulamium: Britannia’s First Saint provides a clear and engaging look at Britain’s First Christian Martyr. Ted skilfully recreates life in Roman Britain with vivid, descriptive storytelling and presents a timeless lesson in courage and moral integrity.
An excellent, interesting read. Would recommend.
Timber & Tides
4.8 Star Ave
I learned a huge amount about the Mary Rose, not least of which was the fact that she had been very much modified and was by no means a new ship when she foundered. Quite erroneously I had thought that she was on a maiden voyage at the time rather than setting off for battle after yet another (very unwise) refit. It was very helpful seeing all this through the eyes of your chief protagonist Tom.
Actually, another thing that struck me very much was that, particularly in the first part about the ship’s construction, it felt like I was reading a prose poem in praise of the Mary Rose, with repeated words and phrases evocatively describing the tastes, sights, sounds and smells. You also add to that mix the notion of the ship (and the sea) having a personality and a memory.
Incidentally I do thank you for the comprehensive glossaries which answered many potential questions. I am really impressed with the research you must have done in preparation for this book.
I liked the way you steadily built up the feeling of pending doom with each ill-judged modification to the Mary Rose foreshadowing the inevitable. I was kept on tenterhooks wondering if Tom, Robert and Taylor would survive and as a reader I commend you on the way you chose to conclude their story. After all Tom and Taylor were indeed part of the ship. However, your masterstroke, if I may be so bold, was having ...... (no spoiler here)
Thank you for a really enjoyable read and I very much look forward to your next books in the series.
TIMBER & TIDES: Heroes of the Deep by Ted Hill MBE is a gripping and deeply moving tribute to the men and women who risk their lives at sea. From the opening pages, the book pulls you into a vividly rendered world of roaring storms, high-stakes rescues, and the quiet strength it takes to face the ocean’s most dangerous moments.
Ted Hill’s writing carries the weight of real experience, lending the story a rare sense of authenticity and respect. The descriptions are atmospheric and immersive — you can feel the tension of each mission, the chaos of the waves, and the unwavering resolve of those who step into the danger.
The emotional heart of the book lies in its focus on the people behind the heroism. Hill captures their camaraderie, their fears, and their unspoken dedication with sensitivity and depth, making their victories uplifting and their losses profoundly felt. These aren’t just rescuers — they are fully realized individuals whose stories linger long after the final page.
Timber and Tides brings the Mary Rose to life through the eyes of a boy whose coming-of-age story feels deeply human and unforgettable. The novel makes the creak of timbers and the pull of the tide feel as real as the bonds formed aboard a legendary ship. I loved how the book just pulls you straight into the shipyards and battles of a changing England.
Timber & Tides is a book that has you in a grasp from ride from shipyard to high seas. Through the boy’s eyes, you feel the salt, the sweat, and the thrill of life aboard the ship Mary Rose. It’s a story full of courage, loyalty, and adventure, where history comes alive, and you can’t help but be pulled into every wave and battle.
A very interesting fictional story about the heroes of the deep. I enjoyed reading this book it kept me entertained right through to the end