Alan Cochrane - or 'that ghastly man from the Telegraph', as Alex Salmond's wife calls him - emerged as a Unionist hero in Scotland's recent independence battle. Using his daily newspaper column and his enviable list of Westminster and Scottish contacts, the veteran journalist mounted a personal mission to ensure the survival of the United Kingdom and the downfall of Alex Salmond's Scottish nationalist cause. At the same time, Cochrane was secretly keeping a diary charting every twist and turn in the campaign, from Westminster's decision on whether to allow the ballot to go ahead to Gordon Brown's late entry onto the scene as tensions mounted in the No camp. Through the pages of this illuminating journal, Cochrane reveals the truth about how the UK was won, offering biting analysis, telling detail and often trenchant wit. As the polls narrowed in the run-up to 18 September, the historic fight for Britain brought out the best and the worst in the characters involved. With his behind-the-scenes access to David Cameron, Alistair Darling, Gordon Brown and everyone in between, Alan Cochrane raises the curtain on the panicked, incompetent and cynical world of modern politics, sparing no one from his acerbic tongue.
In September 2014, a referendum will be held in Scotland to decide whether or not Scotland should become independent and cease to be part of Great Britain.In this book, two of the nation’s leading political commentators will address both sides of this historic argument. George Kerevan will put forward the case for voting Yes, and Alan Cochrane will make the case for voting No. In one book, the first title in this Great Debate series, readers will be given the strongest possible arguments for both sides, fully preparing them to make up their own minds on a decision that will shape the future of Scotland and of Great Britain.
A renegade commander must take matters into his own hands in this epic First World War thriller. Summer, 1917: Britain is losing the war against the deadly German U-boats. After close fought action, Commander David Cochrane Smith uncovers what he believes is a deadly plot against Britain from a dying German sailor. Code-named Swordbearer, it could turn the tide of the war in Germany's favour. But, already under suspicion, his warnings fall on deaf ears. With just one one ancient destroyer, a turtle-back 'thirty-knotter' known as Bloody Mary, under his command and a hostile commanding office, he must wage this battle on his own. Smith must solve the riddle and stake his own life to save his country... This vivid and high-octane thriller is perfect for fans of Douglas Reeman, Alexander Kent and Patrick O’Brien. Praise for Alan Evans 'Terrific action at sea on land and in the air...breathless pace. Evans ranks as a top adventure writer' Publishers Weekly
Our rebel captain must save his daughter in this epic Second World War naval thrillerIt is 1940 and the world is at war. For Commander David Cochrane Smith the nightmare becomes personal as he believes his daughter Sarah to be imprisoned in the hold of Altmark. Although he is among the Cossacks who board the prison-ship in Jössingfjord, his search for Sarah is not over. And as Captain of the ageing cruiser Cassandra, after twenty years 'on the beach' in naval intelligence, he knows his crew think him out of touch, out of date, and doubt his fitness to command. Following a number of deftly-handled sea battles, however, Smith gradually wins their confidence. But his most severe test is yet to come, off the coast of recently-invaded Norway at the Battle of Narvik... Sink or Capture is a pulse-pounding Second World War naval thriller perfect for fans of Douglas Reeman and Julian Stockwin. Praise for Alan Evans 'I think a 21 gun salute is required... Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly
The odds are against Commander Smith in this epic story of battle on the high seas. Autumn, 1917: Britain is just about surviving against incessant U-boat attacks, but there are mutinies in France, a revolution in Russia and stalemate on the Western Front. The Allies must get the upper hand and, in London, plans are hatched to renew the pressure in the Middle East. Commander David Cochrane Smith finds himself on a formidable assignment in the Mediterranean. He is wily, experienced and tough but his mission is dangerous and his force is small. With this ramshackle squadron he must elude the U-boats and sink a heavily armed enemy cruiser whose captain is as able and daring as Smith himself. The action is fierce on land and on sea – and the odds are uneven. But this is an assignment designed to test Smith to the utmost and he is determined to succeed... Dauntlessis an unputdownable First World War Thriller perfect for fans of David Black, Patrick O’Brian and Alexander Fullerton. Praise for Dauntless 'I think a 21 gun salute is required... Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History Finalist for the National Book Award Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize "Impressively researched and beautifully crafted…a brilliant account of slavery in Virginia during and after the Revolution." —Mark M. Smith, Wall Street Journal Frederick Douglass recalled that slaves living along Chesapeake Bay longingly viewed sailing ships as "freedom’s swift-winged angels." In 1813 those angels appeared in the bay as British warships coming to punish the Americans for declaring war on the empire. Over many nights, hundreds of slaves paddled out to the warships seeking protection for their families from the ravages of slavery. The runaways pressured the British admirals into becoming liberators. As guides, pilots, sailors, and marines, the former slaves used their intimate knowledge of the countryside to transform the war. They enabled the British to escalate their onshore attacks and to capture and burn Washington, D.C. Tidewater masters had long dreaded their slaves as "an internal enemy." By mobilizing that enemy, the war ignited the deepest fears of Chesapeake slaveholders. It also alienated Virginians from a national government that had neglected their defense. Instead they turned south, their interests aligning more and more with their section. In 1820 Thomas Jefferson observed of sectionalism: "Like a firebell in the night [it] awakened and filled me with terror. I considered it at once the knell of the union." The notes of alarm in Jefferson's comment speak of the fear aroused by the recent crisis over slavery in his home state. His vision of a cataclysm to come proved prescient. Jefferson's startling observation registered a turn in the nation’s course, a pivot from the national purpose of the founding toward the threat of disunion. Drawn from new sources, Alan Taylor's riveting narrative re-creates the events that inspired black Virginians, haunted slaveholders, and set the nation on a new and dangerous course.
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