Well done Clancy Tucker!

Review by John Campbell - Film Director - Feb 2017. The book, 'Bold Journey' - by Clancy Tucker -

I have read all of Clancy's books to date, and enjoyed every one of them. This, his latest publication, 'Bold Journey', is no exception. As an evening reader, I do lose far too much sleep reading his books. I always find myself wanting to read just one more chapter. Fatal; five chapters later, out come the matchsticks to 'prop up the eyelids'.

Truly an author who keeps you on the edge of your seat. You never know what shock he has in store for you on the very next page. So it was with 'Bold Journey'. Having read the back cover, I couldn't wait to get a copy myself, and find out more. I was not disappointed.

Clancy is a skilled artist with words, and he taught me the technique of writing brief and to the point sentences in my film scripts. His descriptive narrative immediately draws you deep into the story from the very first paragraph.

It was at dinner one evening, in their little Italian Village of Santorini, that Severino Angelli proposes to his family that they pack up and emigrate. "Where", gasped his startled wife, Anna Maria;  "Australia!". Soon the Angelli family find themselves aboard the 'Achille Lauro' destined for a brand new life on the other side of the world. Waving goodbye to their relatives and friends, and severing his fond attachment with each of his brothers, Severino suddenly realizes the impact of his decision.

Life aboard ship soon dispels the initial shock, as the Angellis befriend the Ginellis, another migrating family, with whom they are to forge a close friendship for many years. Severino's son, "Fozzie" and 'Cat' Ginelli instantly become inseparable friends aboard ship.

Later, Cat and Fozzie go their separate ways, embracing very different careers in their new country, but each possessing a compassionate feeling for others. Much later, they do meet again, but under the most unexpected circumstances.
Cat is a nurse, working with the starving and dying masses in Ethiopia, caught in an impossible quest; Fozzie, a successful journalist, feels drawn to investigate their plight. Back in London, a severe, life threatening illness, brings Cat to the bedside of an unconscious Fozzie.  Do they ever come together again?

I love the way Clancy weaves into his stories, the most complex and unexpected outcomes. All the usual joys and tragedies in life, beset his characters, but I recall in each of his works, he builds a passionate and lovable nature into many of his youngsters.

Some friends tell me that they feel Clancy writes his stories for young readers.  Whilst heroically featuring the outstanding lives of some of the children and young teenagers in his scripts, he enthralls adults of all ages, and keeps everyone poised right to the very end.

So, 'Bold Journey'. A slow, but probably necessary beginning, steeped in the historical detail of a city I know well. I loved it and give it an A1. rating, Clancy. As you say, it would make a great movie. I agree!

John Campbell. Film Director, Victoria, Australia.   

​The book is available on the Morris Publishing website: http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/a-bold-journey.html and on Amazon.

Judith O'Malley-Ford will be accompanied by Federal member for Lilly, Wayne Swan at her signing for her new book, The Secret Stalker of the Prostate at Dymocks Books at Chermside on February 11th, from 11.30 to 1pm.

Wayne feels so strongly about the importance of this book that he has agreed to attend the signing to help promote the book.
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Drop in to meet the author and buy an signed copy. It might save your life or that of someone close to you. And have a chat with your Federal Member for Lilly.

​This book is supported by many other public figures, including Major General John Hemsley Pearn AO RFD, Philip Adams, Peter Dornan, founder and convenor of the Prostate Cancer Support Group and Ian Smith, Queensland PCFA Board Member.

Author of the book, The Secret Stalker of the Prostrate, Dr Judith O'Malley-Ford said, 'To put prostate cancer in context, we can compare its incidence with that of other commonly occurring cancers.

'Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It is more common than lung cancer, colon cancer or breast cancer in women. Research shows that the incidence of prostate cancer is far greater than breast cancer but the funding put into its early detection is far less. This needs to be addressed.'

The book was launched by Major General John Hemsley Pearn AO RFD at the Grange Bowls Club on Wednesday 2nd of November.

When asked to read and evaluate the book, Peter Dornan, founder and convener of the Prostate Cancer Support Group wrote, 'When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, at the age of 52, as a health professional, a Physiotherapist, I was embarrassed and angry that I did not know what my prostate was, where it was and what it did. This is the book I would have loved to have at the time. Every question regarding anatomy, disease processes, decision making procedures for the treatment and considerations of the side effects, psycho-social effects and the impact on relationships, are concisely covered – all in layman terms. The most important section, dealing with the modern research of parametric MRI during diagnosis, is particularly useful.'

The book contains very detailed information on the common symptoms of not only prostate cancer but other less critical diseases of the uro-genital system. A comprehensive questionnaire will help men or their wives or partners pick up any changes that could be early warning signs. It goes on to explain in great detail, the steps that should be taken if a problem is suspected and the steps the medical professional will take to determine and treat the cause.

Dr O'Malley-Ford told me that, until recently, it was a relatively rare event for a man to bring a problem with the functioning of his uro-genital system to medical attention without prompting by a significant other. For those men who are in the process of taking that difficult step of presenting prostate problems to their doctors, including those unfortunate enough to be facing investigation for prostate cancer, this book is for them.

'I have a personal interest in the quest to improve men’s health. My father had prostate cancer. The bigger picture relating to prostate cancer also includes the associated risk of breast cancer for women in a family where the men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. There is scientific evidence that shows that the same inherited genetic risk factor applies to breast cancer as applies to prostate,' Dr O'Malley-Ford said.

In the foreword for the book, Philip Adams says, 'Australia needs a definitive work on the topic, one that gives prominence to the prostate, and sets out to answer those questions that men just don’t want to ask – a book written with intelligence, kindness, and humour. The topic has found its author in Dr. Judith O’Malley Ford. Her knowledge on the subject is profound, her writing lucid and humane. In this book, she comprehensively and compassionately addresses a major health issue for men – if not THE major health issue affecting men today.'

The book is available on line at www.morrispublishingaustralia.com as an eBook or paperback, and from bookshops and online book sellers.

http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/the-secret-stalker-of-the-prostate.html
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