About
Author Iain Maclean lost his father to alcoholism when he was just 10 years old. Aged 15 Iain came across an old photograph showing three men; a Nazi prisoner, a soldier in a foreign uniform, and a British army officer who the young man eventually realised was indeed ‘TJ’, Iain’s father. In that moment the teenager suddenly understood that he knew almost nothing about who his father had been.
Embarking on a journey that spanned nearly four decades, Iain set out to research his father, his life, his loves, his role in World War II, and what led to his premature death. What he unearthed is a remarkable and unexpected story, covering operations in Europe, North America and North Africa, but covering too the thoughts, desires and fears of people on the very edge of life.
Iain researched his father simply to know him, there was no intention of writing a book. However if we do not pass on our lessons then we are destined to repeat our mistakes. So Iain, now many years older than his father ever saw, sat down to describe TJ’s war. The completed work is not a telephone directory of dates and events, it is a powerful journey for the reader. Through the eyes of TJ we see looming dark clouds threaten to consume TJ’s soul as he fights for his sanity and his love.
TJ’s War – Can love survive when the world is on fire?
About the Author
"I don't understand war. Nobody wants war and yet there have been over 260 wars since 8th May 1945. I have four children, 4 step-children, and, at the last count, three grandchildren, and I would like them all to see 2100. So I would really appreciate it if people would just put down their guns and consider how much of a miracle each human life really is, and life in general for that matter.
My favourite film is Joe Versus The Volcano by John Patrick Shanley, and from there comes the quote: 'My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.' I think that about says it all."
Iain Maclean 2023
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